Local

Four Kansas City neighborhood transformations you need to know

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

The curated articles all focus on significant transformations within Kansas City neighborhoods, highlighting community-driven initiatives and development projects that aim to enhance local areas. Each story brings forward unique opportunities and challenges encountered by residents and developers.

One morning this month, Chaumiere residents Laurel Shoger-Hall (left), and Olivia Meade (far right) and Kansas City Councilman Crispin Rea showed a Star reporter the new sidewalks and other improvements in their neighborhood. Meade’s daughter, Audrey, 5, tagged along. By Mike Hendricks

NO. 1: HOW A GROUP OF KC NEIGHBORS CONVINCED THE CITY TO BUILD A SIDEWALK ON THEIR STREET

Whether it’s building a new airport terminal or capping the freeway for a downtown park, big projects coming out of City Hall grab headlines. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mike Hendricks

A Lee’s Summit Costco could be on the way.

NO. 2: THE KANSAS CITY AREA COULD GET A NEW COSTCO. HERE’S WHERE IT’S PLANNED

A developer has filed plans to build a new Costco in Lee’s Summit. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Johnson County administration buildings in downtown Olathe

NO. 3: OLATHE NEIGHBORS WIN PUSH TO BLOCK NEW FROZEN FOOD WAREHOUSE — AT LEAST FOR NOW

Beth and John Reinhart first moved to Olathe’s Nottington Creek neighborhood because of its peaceful, rural atmosphere, Beth Reinhart said. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Taylor O'Connor

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Car No. 551 is opening in the “Trolley Tom” streetcar in the River Market. By Jenna Thompson

NO. 4: HISTORIC KC STREETCAR TO BE CONVERTED INTO NEW DELI WITH BARBECUE, COCKTAILS

Kansas City’s 1940s streetcar in the River Market will soon become a deli and grab-and-go restaurant. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

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.