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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Kansas City.

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Greenline trail around downtown KC is gaining ground

The path is still far from finished — but it's closer than you might think.

News

A proposed trail encircling downtown Kansas City that has been quietly in the works for years is building momentum with a new public exhibit and active construction plans.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Greenline KC" data-vars-click-url="https://www.greenlinekc.com/" data-vars-content-id="77566b26-2004-42f7-a58c-e2c4099c932e" data-vars-headline="Greenline trail around downtown KC is gaining ground" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.greenlinekc.com/" target="_blank">Greenline KC</a> is still far from finished — but it&#x27;s closer than you might think, with several multimillion-dollar projects paving the way.

Gen Z is going to church in KC

A national uptick in religious fervor among Gen Z men is playing out in Kansas City, where half the parishioners at one Westport Catholic church are under 30.

New <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national polling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/16/gen-z-religion-poll-gallup" data-vars-content-id="b22ffef3-ac3d-4ff9-b28e-aa71e3b3e31d" data-vars-headline="Gen Z is going to church in KC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/16/gen-z-religion-poll-gallup" target="_self">national polling</a> shows an uptick in religious fervor among young men, even as more churches across the country are shutting their doors.The big picture: Gen Z still has the highest share of religiously unaffiliated adults in modern history, but small hints of a religious rebound have spawned speculation about how that could reshape politics, culture wars and church strategy for years to come.

Teens are sober, online and lonely

Kansas City-area teens are part of a generation putting down the bottle. But researchers say the trends behind their sobriety include rising loneliness and screen-bound social lives.

Teens today are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drinking less" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/17/teens-generation-z-drinking-less" data-vars-content-id="f9b7e647-3af0-436a-951f-017db9a42c13" data-vars-headline="Teens are sober, online and lonely" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/17/teens-generation-z-drinking-less" target="_self">drinking less</a> than their parents did — but the trends that may be supercharging their sobriety aren&#x27;t all positive.The big picture: Researchers say there isn&#x27;t one definitive reason <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="for the shift" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/13/alcohol-drinking-rate-low-health" data-vars-content-id="f9b7e647-3af0-436a-951f-017db9a42c13" data-vars-headline="Teens are sober, online and lonely" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/13/alcohol-drinking-rate-low-health" target="_self">for the shift</a>. Some hypothesize it isn&#x27;t solely a health kick, but that some teenagers have no one to say &quot;cheers&quot; with.

Where KCMO's park system ranks among big cities

Kansas City's park system isn't the best, but it's far from the worst.

Environment

Kansas City&#x27;s park system isn&#x27;t the best, but it&#x27;s far from the worst and well above average, per the Trust for Public Land&#x27;s new rankings.<ul><li>TPL&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="annual report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tpl.org/parkscore" data-vars-content-id="efeb6357-5b3a-46a9-97fa-02aa959f6a79" data-vars-headline="Where KCMO&#x27;s park system ranks among big cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tpl.org/parkscore" target="_blank">annual report</a> ranks the 100 most populous U.S. cities&#x27; park systems relative to one another based on five categories: access, acreage, amenities, equity, and investment.</li></ul>

Inside one of KC's oldest buildings — and its revitalization

The Seiden's Furs building was swamped with toxic water and declared dangerous. Now it'll be a restaurant.

A 152-year-old building recently swamped with toxic water and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="declared dangerous" data-vars-click-url="https://flatlandkc.org/news-issues/one-of-downtowns-oldest-buildings-declared-dangerous/" data-vars-content-id="c1c8ed06-15eb-455b-9250-11fdb5034793" data-vars-headline="Inside one of KC&#x27;s oldest buildings — and its revitalization" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://flatlandkc.org/news-issues/one-of-downtowns-oldest-buildings-declared-dangerous/" target="_blank">declared dangerous</a> by the city after a roof cave-in will be resurrected and turned into a new restaurant.Why it matters: The revitalization will save what is considered the oldest building in Kansas City&#x27;s downtown loop — an act of preservation both championed by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local historians" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DR0yr9Cjk4L/" data-vars-content-id="c1c8ed06-15eb-455b-9250-11fdb5034793" data-vars-headline="Inside one of KC&#x27;s oldest buildings — and its revitalization" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DR0yr9Cjk4L/" target="_blank">local historians</a> and in line with recent city efforts.

Leavenworth to vote on ICE permit

City leaders will vote Tuesday on whether CoreCivic can reopen its prison to hold ICE detainees.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Leavenworth city commissioners" data-vars-click-url="https://www.leavenworthks.gov/citycommission" data-vars-content-id="343a24fc-4967-4359-b429-5dc1bdb5a651" data-vars-headline="Leavenworth to vote on ICE permit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.leavenworthks.gov/citycommission" target="_blank">Leavenworth city commissioners</a> will decide Tuesday whether to allow a private prison operator to reopen its prison as an ICE detention center after a judge issued a temporary injunction blocking the company from housing detainees.Why it matters: The vote will decide whether private prison company <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CoreCivic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.corecivic.com/" data-vars-content-id="343a24fc-4967-4359-b429-5dc1bdb5a651" data-vars-headline="Leavenworth to vote on ICE permit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.corecivic.com/" target="_blank">CoreCivic</a> can reopen its Leavenworth prison to house ICE detainees under a city-issued special-use permit with operating conditions or whether the zoning dispute will continue in court.

Raytown renters win deal as tenant unions strengthen

Organizers say striking tenants withheld $110,000 in rent payments.

Renters at Bowen Tower Apartments in Raytown are ending a four-month rent strike after court battles with their landlord resulted in a signed agreement Wednesday night, tenant union organizers say.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tenant unions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/09/25/kc-tenants-brings-its-housing-fight-to-the-stage" data-vars-content-id="14238da5-5f18-4b41-bcb9-c08cb27cc810" data-vars-headline="Raytown renters win deal as tenant unions strengthen" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/09/25/kc-tenants-brings-its-housing-fight-to-the-stage" target="_self">Tenant unions</a> are growing in strength and number across the U.S. as increased rents and deferred maintenance pit renters against property owners.

Stadiums are becoming more like micro-cities

These complex real estate deals pose high risks for taxpayers and government officials.

Sports

Big stadium projects are becoming less like standalone destinations and more like micro-cities with teams trying to create year-round neighborhoods, not just game-day traffic.Why it matters: That shift turns new stadium projects into complex <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="real estate deals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/08/business/sports-stadiums-real-estate-cities" data-vars-content-id="5ccf67d9-574c-4d4a-8a96-8bb1eb18b3ab" data-vars-headline="Stadiums are becoming more like micro-cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/08/business/sports-stadiums-real-estate-cities" target="_blank">real estate deals</a>, posing high risks for taxpayers and government officials while promising more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="revenue for teams" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/dec/06/mixed-use-development-sports-teams-owners-stadiums" data-vars-content-id="5ccf67d9-574c-4d4a-8a96-8bb1eb18b3ab" data-vars-headline="Stadiums are becoming more like micro-cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/dec/06/mixed-use-development-sports-teams-owners-stadiums" target="_blank">revenue for teams</a> and development for cities.

Overland Park is addressing housing affordability with predesigned homes

The city lacks the quantity of middle-ground housing that residents say they want.

Overland Park unveiled a housing program Tuesday offering predesigned dwellings and waived permit fees to encourage more diversified construction.Why it matters: The city has plenty of big houses and apartment buildings, but it lacks the quantity of middle-ground housing that residents say they want.

Housing and population growth in KC outpace the nation

Housing stock is up, but just because housing exists doesn't mean it's affordable.

Real Estate

Housing units in the Kansas City metro continue trending upward, outpacing the area&#x27;s strong <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="population growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/06/04/kansas-city-metro-population-growth-2024" data-vars-content-id="8362c9b5-afba-4494-a5df-f1b0a0ae231f" data-vars-headline="Housing and population growth in KC outpace the nation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/06/04/kansas-city-metro-population-growth-2024" target="_self">population growth</a>. The big picture: More homes than people have been added in the U.S. over the last decade, but affordability remains a huge roadblock for many would-be homebuyers.

Home prices rise in KC, fall in the south and west

In the Midwest, the price of a typical home keeps rising.

Real estate prices are all about &quot;location, location, location,&quot; and right now that&#x27;s particularly true — in half the country <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="home prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/25/housing-home-sales-mortgage-rates" data-vars-content-id="bc6a7306-062b-4fc1-a57e-c6506f5e6cb5" data-vars-headline="Home prices rise in KC, fall in the south and west" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/25/housing-home-sales-mortgage-rates" target="_self">home prices</a> are still going up, including in Kansas City. In the other half, they&#x27;re falling.Why it matters: The price data shows that the housing story is more complicated than affordability and still-high mortgage rates, which have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cratered" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/27/ice-trump-tariffs-home-sales" data-vars-content-id="bc6a7306-062b-4fc1-a57e-c6506f5e6cb5" data-vars-headline="Home prices rise in KC, fall in the south and west" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/27/ice-trump-tariffs-home-sales" target="_self">cratered</a> demand nationwide.

Midtown wants more walkable, affordable development

A new survey shows Midtown KC residents want more restaurants, better sidewalks and housing at a range of prices.

Development

Midtown residents are clear on what they want: more neighborhood restaurants, safer sidewalks, a better mix of housing and less blight.Why it matters: The 2025 Midtown KC Now <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Community Survey" data-vars-click-url="https://midtownkcnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-Midtown-KC-Community-Survey-Results.pdf" data-vars-content-id="b877ea92-2ec5-4dcc-adab-7953264ae130" data-vars-headline="Midtown wants more walkable, affordable development" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://midtownkcnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-Midtown-KC-Community-Survey-Results.pdf" target="_blank">Community Survey</a> offers a snapshot of what neighbors and business owners say is working and what still feels missing.

Investor home buying drops in Kansas and Missouri

New data shows a 13% dip in institutional investor home purchases in Kansas and Missouri — a shift that may finally ease pressure on local buyers.

First-time Kansas City homebuyers may finally catch a small break as institutional investors pull back from the city and Missouri and Kansas.Why it matters: With fewer investor purchases, regular buyers may face less competition, especially in affordable neighborhoods where cash offers often dominate.

Homebuyers gain a slight edge in Kansas City

It's a reversal from just a few years ago, when home buyers outnumbered sellers, sending prices into the stratosphere.

Homebuyers in Kansas City may be seeing some benefits from the nationwide buyer&#x27;s market in real estate.The big picture: There are nearly 500,000 more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="home sellers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/19/mortgage-rate-state" data-vars-content-id="a08b4d26-4463-45d7-b5bc-54280d0e1624" data-vars-headline="Homebuyers gain a slight edge in Kansas City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/19/mortgage-rate-state" target="_self">home sellers</a> than buyers across the U.S. housing market, Redfin estimates.

Real Estate 🏠

Inside one of KC's oldest buildings — and its revitalization

Leavenworth to vote on ICE permit

Raytown renters win deal as tenant unions strengthen

Stadiums are becoming more like micro-cities

Overland Park is addressing housing affordability with predesigned homes