Kansas City housing evolves with new projects and preservation

Kansas City’s housing landscape is changing with a mix of renewal and struggle. The city plans to add thousands of residents along Prospect Avenue and redevelop the 18th and Vine Jazz District to be more walkable and vibrant. Meanwhile, stories like the troubled Mayfair Apartments and Independence Towers show ongoing challenges for residents living in poor conditions as they await promised renovations or new ownership.

New projects, such as a Midtown apartment complex near the streetcar and the transformation of a vacant JoCo call center into over 300 apartments, highlight investments in affordable and workforce housing. Neighborhoods also debate the fate of historic properties, as seen in the push to create a historic district in Valentine to prevent demolition and encourage renovation by Kansas City Life Insurance.

Mayfair Apartments in Kansas City on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. By Dominick Williams

NO. 1: TENANTS LIVE IN SQUALOR AS HISTORIC KC BUILDING AWAITS CITY-BACKED RENOVATION

People living at this Kansas City apartment building have complained of cockroaches, broken windows and filth in common areas for years. It’s become of case study of how difficult it is to find affordable apartments and repair aging buildings. | Published April 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Higgins

An empty lot of the failed housing development in the 2500 block of Michigan Avenue as it appeared on Tuesday. By Dominick Williams

NO. 2: KC DEVELOPER KEPT DEPOSITS FOR HOMES HE NEVER BUILT. NOW HE WANTS $50M MORE

A failed housing project left potential homebuyers out thousands of dollars in lost down payments. Now the developer is trying again, and seeking millions from investors. | Published April 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mike Hendricks

Renderings of the proposed 307-unit apartment complex

NO. 3: CITY APPROVES INCENTIVES TO TURN VACANT NORTHEAST JOCO BUILDING INTO 307 APARTMENTS

The former J.C. Penney Call Center has sat vacant in Mission for nearly two decades. Now, a developer wants to transform it into a multifamily apartment complex. | Published April 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Taylor O’Connor

Vehicles are seen along Prospect Avenue near 27th Street on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Kansas City. The area is in part of the city’s plans to add density and development along the Prospect MAX bus line. By Emily Curiel

NO. 4: INSIDE KANSAS CITY’S NEW PLAN TO BRING 40,000 NEW PEOPLE TO PROSPECT AVENUE

The city has new goals and ideas for how to improve a nine mile strip along Prospect and 12th Street. Will it be more than just a wish list? | Published April 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Higgins

A rendering of the 18th Street Pedestrian Mall when the street would be closed during an event.

NO. 5: KC JAZZ DISTRICT’S GLOW-UP CONTINUES WITH CHANGES TO MAKE AREA MORE WALKABLE

The city is starting work on the 18th Street Pedestrian Mall this spring. | Published April 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Higgins

One of the four buildings Kansas City Life Insurance has proposed demolishing in the Valentine neighborhood. The company calls the buildings dangerous and has revealed a “vision” for future redevelopment.

NO. 6: NEIGHBORS STAVED OFF KC APARTMENT DEMOLITIONS, BUT REDEVELOPMENT COULD BE COMING

Demolitions are on hold as neighborhood seeks historic status for century-old apartments. | Published May 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Higgins

Independence Towers at 729 N. Jennings Rd., seen on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Independence. By Emily Curiel

NO. 7: JUDGE APPROVES SALE OF INDEPENDENCE TOWERS; TENANTS DEMAND FAIR LEASE AGREEMENTS

Independence Towers tenants vow to continue rent strike until they meet with new owner to bargain fair lease agreements. | Published April 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Robert A. Cronkleton

KC Streetcar Authority running tests on the new Main Street rail line on Wednesday, Aug 21, 2024. The new line still has tests remaining before opening up in October. (082124, Streetcar on Main) By Dominick Williams

NO. 8: SLEW OF 6-UNIT APARTMENT BUILDINGS COMING TO MIDTOWN KC NEAR STREETCAR TRACKS

The apartments will be colonnade-inspired and be geared toward local workers as a new nonprofit looks to develop more affordable housing in Kansas City. | Published May 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Higgins

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.