Tag: Melissa Robinson

Here’s how a Prospect renewal project invests in both those who built KC and the city’s future

By Tommy Felts / November 7, 2025

Economic development initiatives are measured not just in buildings, but in opportunity, said Melissa Patterson Hazley, lauding the use of the Central City Economic Development (CCED) Sales Tax Program to transform underutilized parcels in Kansas City into modern, energy-efficient housing that support long-term neighborhood vitality. “Projects like Prospect Summit represent the intentional work of making…

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Push to change Troost’s racially-charged name stalls again, leaving vocal advocates disheartened

By Tommy Felts / May 6, 2025

Chris Goode stood at the podium Tuesday in council chambers at City Hall, voicing a frustration with the city’s repeated inaction on his proposal to change the name of Troost Avenue — a Kansas City thoroughfare with a legacy rooted in slavery — to Truth Avenue. “I want to keep my head up high, but…

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$20M project expected to remove key barrier to unlocking 18th & Vine vibrancy: parking

By Tommy Felts / March 7, 2025

It’s more than just a parking garage, said Pat Jordan, revealing a plan to develop a state-of-the-art, transit-oriented parking facility in the heart of the historic 18th & Vine District is about opening a gateway to the entertainment and cultural hub. “Limited parking has historically been a barrier for visitors, especially during peak hours and…

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Advocate knocks mayor for Troost renaming delay; calls slave owner tie KC’s ‘dirty laundry, reeking from the basement’

By Tommy Felts / March 28, 2024

Kansas City can no longer whitewash its history to pretend Benoist Troost — an early KC doctor, slave owner and the namesake for Troost Avenue — was anything other than a monster, said Chris Goode, pointing blame at Mayor Quinton Lucas for a stalled effort to change the east side corridor’s controversial name.  “There’s no…

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2534 Prospect Avenue, a city-owned space housing WeCode KC

She’s bringing tech to urban core teens; why KCMO says Tammy Buckner needs to pay ‘fair market value’ or get out

By Tommy Felts / March 12, 2022

One of KC’s leading Black women in tech leased a vacant city building for $1 and made $20K+ in improvements for her workforce development program — now the city wants to sell it, kicking WeCode KC to the curb A local nonprofit is asking for community support as the KCMO city council makes a move…

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