Steptoe Neighborhood

Steptoe Lives Formed to Commemorate Vanishing African-American Neighborhood Near Westport After the Civil War, the Steptoe neighborhood just south of Westport filled up with freed slaves who were allowed to own and rent property in this area. This photo from 1940 shows some of the homes between Summit and Wornall from W. 43rd to W. […]

Plaza Bowl Overlay District

HKC has long recognized that maintaining the character and historic integrity of the Plaza is essential to preserving Kansas City’s heritage and economic success. HKC was a leader in the City’s update of the Midtown/Plaza Area Plan, which culminated in a zoning ordinance that limits height and land use in the historic core of the Plaza […]

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)

The city is considering an ordinance (ordinance 220698) that would allow Accessory Dwelling Units – secondary homes or apartments that share the building lot of a larger primary house – to be built in Kansas City. ADUS are becoming popular especially on the west coast and may include carriage houses, granny flats, garage apartments and additions built […]

48th Street Proposal

Historic Kansas City met with the Lane4 Property group on multiple occasions to increase step-backs on the 11th Floor, away from the southern plane of the building, and to eliminate some units on the south end to decrease the deviation from the MPAP height recommendations. This and other HKC conditions were included in the ordinance […]

7th Church/Cocina47 Proposal

‘Ridiculous’ and ‘egregious’: Kansas City panel rejects nine-story Plaza high-rise!   On June 7th, the City Plan Commission unanimously rejected the development plan for Cocina 47. The developer, Overland Park-based Drake Development LLC, proposes building three restaurant levels under six full-floor condominiums for sale. The Seventh Church of Christ, Scientist at 604 W. 47th St. […]

Katz Drug Store Redevelopment Proposal

This iconic Kansas City building was built in 1934 as home to the first Katz Drug Store outside the central business district. It was the first major work by architect Clarence Kivett, who would go on to become the most famous and influential of Kansas City architects. It incorporated elements of both Art Deco and […]

31st and Main Street

TAKE ACTION// SUPPORT HISTORIC DESIGNATION OF 31ST & MAIN STREET   NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE The recommendations of both the City Plan Commission and Historic Preservation Commission now go to the NPDC of the City Council on Wednesday, October 12th at 1:30 PM at city hall, 26th floor.   CONTACT THE CITY COUNCIL: Mayor […]