Local

5 stories reveal community action reshaping KC neighborhoods

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

The articles all highlight efforts that reshape Kansas City neighborhoods and public spaces. Residents, leaders, and businesses initiate projects that respond to local needs and improve community life.

One group of neighbors in the Northland organized and convinced the city to build a sidewalk on a busy street, making the area safer. In Leawood, parents push for walkable routes so families can safely bike and walk to local spots. Lee’s Summit will soon open a new indoor-outdoor farmers market with space for vendors, art installations, and events. A Kansas City grocery store will switch ownership but keep its staff while upgrading features like lighting and adding a drive-thru pharmacy. These projects show how community-driven actions and new facilities can change the look and feel of neighborhoods.

Jaclyn Penn stands for a portrait outside the old Leawood City Hall building on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Leawood, Kansas. Penn is among a group of residents pushing to convert the vacant structure into a community center. By Emily Curiel

NO. 1: MEET THE JOHNSON COUNTY MOMS LEADING THE PUSH TO MAKE A SPRAWLING SUBURB WALKABLE

When Kylee Markey lived in Brookside, she said she practically raised her young kids on the sidewalks. | Published August 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Madeline King

Joann Schermerhorn of Overland Park plays a metal singing bowl as Buckwheat, a foster kitten, listens during a recent sound bath session in Kansas City. Schermerhorn has found that cats, and dogs, seem to enjoy sound baths as much as humans and has started a business to provide them for pets. By Emily Curiel

NO. 2: HEIDI GARDNER’S CATS LOVE THEIR WEEKLY SOUND BATHS. NOW THEY’RE OFFERED TO KC PETS

A few weeks ago while house-siting for a friend, Joann Schermerhorn decided to use the time to practice her new sound bath skills. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lisa Gutierrez

Chairs line a green space near the playground and market entrance at the Green Street development on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Lee's Summit. By Emily Curiel

NO. 3: NEW KC AREA FARMERS MARKET SPACE TO OPEN AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE. SEE INSIDE

A countdown on the webpage for Green Street ticks down the minutes until its opening date. | Published August 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

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. 4: 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

Marsh’s Sun Fresh Market in Westport was recently purchased by Cosentino’s.

NO. 5: WELL-KNOWN LOCAL OPERATORS TAKING OVER THIS LONGTIME KANSAS CITY GROCERY STORE

Marsh’s Sun Fresh in Westport has been purchased by Cosentino’s Food Stores. | Published August 13, 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.