The KC Streetcar is expected to start running all the way to UMKC in early Fall, and confidence in the economic viability and future growth of the Plaza District is high. Four new restaurants are opening in South Plaza: Martin City Brewery, Mildred’s, New York Butcher Shoppe, and Sea Capitán Cocina Costera – a concept from the owners of Earl’s Premier and Bacaro Primo. And Blackhole Bakery is adding a West Plaza location.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is planning a major addition and two hotels opened recently under the Marriott flag : The Cascade and Aloft. A number of multifamily housing options are in the works.

The new Country Club Plaza management group, having met their first goal of meaningfully improving safety and security in the shopping district continues to address the 27 years of deferred maintenance of the fifteen beautiful, historic blocks of buildings in our midst. This is tedious, expensive and abundantly necessary work that must be done before new buildings and tenants can move in.

Our community is understandably impatient, and tenants and residents of the Country Club Plaza are justifiably eager for signs of new businesses opening, and there is no rushing this. While we are equally eager to see change happen, Plaza District Council continues to be grateful that the new ownership group is willing to make the investment in the infrastructure and master planning that the last two owners deferred. They are playing a long game.