Historic Kansas City Call To Action Fights To Save Country Club Plaza

Just a bit of background . . .

This group is notorious for losing but we admire their chutzpah and plucky spirit to challenge an impending monstrosity. 

On the surface this battle is about height restrictions and street takeover.   

However . . .

Tax fighters should follow along because we're REALLY talking about 1.5 BILLION BUCKS for private developers. 

And then . . .

We're REALLY, REALLY talking about IMPENDING PUBLIC HOUSING FOR THE PLAZA. It's a fact that Mayor Q has said loud and clear but local media don't like reporting because they fear causing a selling spree this Summer. 

For now . . .

We share a bit of love for our favorite local preservationists . . .  

Historic Kansas City Advocacy Alert: Hearing on Country Club Plaza Tuesday, May 19th 

TAKE ACTION TODAY

On Tuesday, May 19 at 10:30 a.m., the Kansas City Council’s Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee is expected to continue consideration of the proposed Country Club Plaza Master Planned Development (MPD), a proposal that would establish new zoning, new development standards, and substantial new height allowances governing future construction throughout much of the Plaza.

The proposal would permit new towers ranging from approximately 120 to 178 feet on five redevelopment sites throughout the historic commercial district, in addition to the previously approved 275-foot Seville West tower site. Several of these sites contain historic Plaza storefronts and early buildings dating to the 1920s and 1930s, including the block containing the 1923 Mill Creek Building, the Plaza’s oldest structure.

What Councilmembers are reviewing is much more consequential than any single development proposal; upcoming votes will determine the parameters for new development on and adjacent to the Plaza for decades to come. The Country Club Plaza Overlay districts, the Plaza "Bowl" recommendations of Midtown/Plaza Area Plan, and existing height restrictions were established through years of public engagement. The proposed MPD would supersede many of the long-standing policies intended to preserve the Plaza’s scale, view corridors, historic storefronts, and relationship to Brush Creek and surrounding neighborhoods.

The coalition of several neighborhood associations and a half-dozen condominium associations have submitted a proposed Committee Substitute requesting lower height limits and requiring future redevelopment proposals on the five tower sites to return to City Council for approval, rather than proceeding solely through the City Plan Commission process.


WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:

FIRST, submit written testimony before Tuesday, May 19 to:

public.testimony@kcmo.org

Please include “Ordinance No. 260443” in the subject line. You may also contact members of the Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee directly:

Andrea Bough, Chairperson: Andrea.Bough@kcmo.org

Mayor Quinton Lucas, Vice Chair: Quinton.Lucas@kcmo.org

Crispin Rea: Crispin.Rea@kcmo.org

Darrell Curls: Darrell.Curls@kcmo.org

Wes Rogers: Wes.Rogers@kcmo.org

SECOND, attend the Finance Committee hearing:

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

10:30 a.m.

26th Floor, City Hall

414 E. 12th Street


Based on statements from Committee leadership, additional verbal testimony may be limited on May 19. Even so, public presence at the hearing remains important as the Committee considers one of the most consequential planning and preservation issues affecting the Plaza in decades.
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Developing . . .