Jul

2

Riverfest and fireworks this weekend

July 2, 2009 by William Rockhill Nelson | Leave a Comment

While Great Recession has caused many local municipalities to cancel fireworks displays this year, Riverfest is soldering on.  The big festival in Berkley Park on the KCMO riverfront features live music, carnival rides, games, kids activities, etc. on Friday and Saturday.  Saturday night Riverfest has the city’s biggest fireworks display. Admission is $6.  Limited on-site parking is available for $10.  Free shuttles will run on Grand Boulevard, stopping at 3rd, 5th, and 7th Streets.

The KC Star has a list fireworks and other events around the suburbs.


Categories: Arts/Entertainment, Downtown

Jul

1

Star runs odd and inaccurate story about the population of KC and Omaha

July 1, 2009 by William Rockhill Nelson | 6 Comments

Today the KC Star’s Matt Campbell has an odd story that tries to whip up panic about how the population of Omaha is set to surpass that of Kansas City.  He cites 2008 Census data that lists KC with 452,000 and Omaha with 439,000. But his numbers are wrong. This past February the Census Bureau acknowledged that they had significantly under-counted KC and  revised our population up to 475,000.  And there is evidence that our population might actually be over half a million. The Star reported this in June 2008 and February 2009, but apparently Mr. Campbell forgot to read his own newspaper.

Another omission is the fact that Omaha has few suburbs.  Most of the suburban-style areas are in the city limits.  It would be as if Overland Park, Leawood, Lee’s Summit, and Independence weren’t independent cities but part of KCMO, easily pushing our population up towards one million. Regardless of central city size, the KC metro area is still twice the size of the Omaha metro area.  And our economy is more than twice the size.

It’s unfortunate that such a prominently placed story has such glaring omissions.


Categories: Media

Jun

26

News Update: KCK Blues Fest, DTV, Schools, and Dunkin’ Donuts in KC

June 26, 2009 by William Rockhill Nelson | 7 Comments

This weekend is the annual KCK Street Blues Festival, essentially the only remaining blues or jazz fest left in KC.

Over at TV Barn, Aaron Barnhart has an update on how the DTV switch is going locally.

The Star’s Joyce Smith notes that Dunkin’ Donuts has finally announced its return to Kansas City.  Although at first they will only tease us with a location waaay out on 151st  Street. Hopefully they’ll be in KC proper soon after that.

The Pitch’s Justin Kendell has an update on school closings in the KCMO School District.


Categories: Arts/Entertainment, Business, Education, Media

Jun

25

Get Trader Joe’s delivered to KC… kindof

June 25, 2009 by William Rockhill Nelson | 6 Comments

A group of Kansas Citians is tired of waiting on Trader Joe’s to open a KC store, and is starting up a delivery service.  They will take orders, go to St. Louis with a refrigerator truck, and bring it back to the Crossroads for people to pickup. Check it out.


Categories: Business

Jun

25

East Side finally gets a TIF, but it’s a deal with the devil

June 25, 2009 by William Rockhill Nelson | Leave a Comment

Update: The City Council decided not to act today. The loan has been delayed, and if it does come to pass it now looks like it will come from the airport, not capital improvements.

In recent years City Hall has taken a lot of heat for doling out TIFs and other tax breaks to affluent areas like the Country Club Plaza and the Northland, instead of truly needy areas like the East Side.  Now the East Side has a proposed project in the Citadel Plaza shopping center.  Sadly, it’s a deal with the devil, and neighborhoods all over the city could end up paying for it.

CDC-KC, the primary developer, has a history of trouble, breaking the law, and general incompetence. Their new partner, Block & Co. is much better – but they have a reputation for building awful suburban-style strip malls in urban neighborhoods. For example, the Midtown Costco/Home Depot, the Westport Sunfresh, or the cinder block strip mall on West 39th Street.

The latest news is that the developer wants a $20 million loan to make the project work.  The City Council is poised to raid the capital improvements cookie jar to pay for it.  That means taking money for streets, sidewalks, trails, flood control, community centers, etc. in all parts of the city. And with the project already in a precarious position, chances could be slim for that loan getting repaid.

The history of tax break abuse has put the Mayor and City Council in a very awkward position.  They have to choose between making a financially irresponsible decision and yet again denying the East Side the tax breaks it deserves.

Tony’s Kansas City: Proposed funding for Citadel Plaza subverts PIAC process

Pitch: The cash-sucking Citadel Plaza won’t go away

Pitch: Your tax dollars not at work

KC Star: Council could vote today on rescue for Citadel project


Categories: City Council, East Side, Politics, Real Estate

Jun

24

The new Boulevard Pilsner, in stores now!

June 24, 2009 by William Rockhill Nelson | Leave a Comment

boulevardpilsnerThis week Boulevard Brewing Company is debuting their newest year-round beer, Boulevard Pilsner.  It’s an American-style lager that is just in time for the onset of Missouri humidity.  At $6 for a six pack, it’s price to compete with Bud/Miller/Coors, and many stores are even stocking it in the Yellow Beer section rather than with the other Boulevards.

KC Beer Blog has all the details, plus news about more good stuff from the Boulevard folk.


Categories: Business

Jun

19

Mission Hills hit-and-run convict goes free

June 19, 2009 by William Rockhill Nelson | 7 Comments

Today convicted killer Curtis Mertensmeyer was released from jail after serving just 120 days for the hit and run death of Daniel Riemann.  A drunk Mertensmeyer ran over Riemann while he was trying to cross Ward Parkway, and was going fast enough to sever one of his victim’s legs and throw it from the scene. The moral of the story is that if you want to get way with driving drunk, make sure to hit a pedestrian and not another automobile.  And for extra protection, it make sure your mailing address includes the words Mission Hills.


Categories: Crime