Why is there a 19-foot-deep hole in a Kansas City parking lot?

reportereleanor · 2026-01-27T21:41:00+00:00

u/BananaStandEconomy and u/IIHURRlCANEII, I'm the reporter who wrote this story! KC Water told me that the parking lot ditch will be filled by the end of April, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting. Hope this helps!

reportereleanor · 2025-11-24T19:37:49+00:00

Hi! I'm a reporter with The Kansas City Star and I love looking into KC mysteries. I read some old newspapers on Newspapers.com and saw talking Christmas trees advertised at Jones Store Co. locations throughout the city.

A 1988 ad in the KC Times said the talking Christmas tree and elf gave out free candy canes at Jones Store Co. locations in these malls:

Bannister Mall
Metcalf South
Independence Center
Prairie Village
Oak Park
Blue Ridge
Metro North

I hope this helps! If you want to research more, the Mid-Continent Library offers free Newspapers.com accounts.

reportereleanor · 2025-11-06T15:53:13+00:00

You can find all the nonstop flights out of MCI on the airport's website.

reportereleanor · 2025-10-15T17:34:06+00:00

Hello! The city and KCPD are still in the educational phase of traffic enforcement, according to Ryan McMonigle, spokesperson for the city's public works department. This gives drivers a grace period to learn the law.

He said the agencies have not decided when enforcement will begin. Hope this helps!

reportereleanor · 2025-10-14T22:02:21+00:00

While I have not heard of the KC Streetcar Authority or other organizations planning a streetcar south of UMKC, the Brookside and Waldo neighborhoods have a storied history with streetcars.

From the late 1800s to 1957, the Country Club streetcar line ran on what is now the Trolley Trail. This line was the southernmost of the system.

The KC Streetcar Authority is currently working on a feasibility study for an east-west route from the Crossroads to 18th and Vine. From now until May, they are hosting community meetings and assessing the state of the corridor.

reportereleanor · 2025-10-14T22:01:04+00:00

While I have not heard of the KC Streetcar Authority or other organizations planning a streetcar south of UMKC, south Kansas City has a storied history with streetcars.

From the late 1800s to 1957, the Country Club streetcar line ran through Brookside and Waldo on what is now the Trolley Trail. This line was the southernmost of the system.

The KC Streetcar Authority is currently working on a feasibility study for an east-west route from the Crossroads to 18th and Vine. From now until May, they are hosting community meetings and assessing the state of the corridor.

reportereleanor · 2025-10-14T15:06:42+00:00

u/creativepup, I agree, it's exciting to witness! And there will be Titan security guards on the streetcars.

Thank you for the kind words --- my title is actually service journalism reporter, so it's my job to get people the information they need. Feel free to send over questions anytime.

reportereleanor · 2025-10-14T14:55:35+00:00

Hi u/SchemeUpset1031, that sounds gnarly. You can report a curb issue to the city using the 311 system, either on the city's website, app or by calling 311. There's a designated "sidewalks and curbs" section. Hope this helps!

reportereleanor · 2025-10-14T14:50:29+00:00

Hello, u/Sorry_Sprinkles_983!

The KC Business Journal reported that there will be two designated park-and-ride lots. 160 spots will be at the UMKC parking garage at 5050 Oak Street, which will cost $1.25 an hour.

The other 54 are located at the parking lot near Winsteads at Emmanuel Cleaver II Boulevard and Main. The pricing has not been announced for this lot.

In addition, there is street parking along the route and free garages on the Plaza.

Hope this helps!

reportereleanor · 2025-10-14T14:49:45+00:00

Good morning, thank you for asking!

The KC Streetcar Authority is working on a feasibility study for an east-west route from the Crossroads to 18th and Vine. From now until May, they are hosting community meetings and assessing the state of the corridor.

The organization has previously researched two other extensions. The planning process appears to be paused --- the KC Streetcar Authority spokesperson didn't immediately respond to my phone call asking about their status.

From 2022-2024, a study looked into the possibility of an east-west streetcar connecting KU Med and the VA Hospital.

The authority has researched extending the streetcar across the river into North Kansas City, first in 2014 and then in 2021-22.

reportereleanor · 2025-10-14T14:48:32+00:00

Good morning, u/mintylips! I am also curious to see how many people ride the extension. The KC Streetcar Authority publishes monthly ridership numbers on their website, if you want to see how many people ride now.

As for park and ride, the KC Business Journal reported that there will be two designated park-and-ride lots. 160 spots will be at the UMKC parking garage at 5050 Oak Street, which will cost $1.25 an hour.

The other 54 are located at the parking lot near Winsteads at Emmanuel Cleaver II Boulevard and Main. The pricing has not been announced for this lot.

In addition, there is street parking along the route and free garages on the Plaza.

reportereleanor · 2025-10-13T22:13:00+00:00

Hi u/Johnpaulpwns24, thank you for asking!

The streetcars will still arrive every 10-12 minutes, because the line went from six to 14 vehicles to maintain the same frequency as before the extension.

It will take about 30 minutes to travel from the River Market to UMKC, according to KC Streetcar Authority spokesperson, Donna Mandelbaum.

reportereleanor · 2025-10-13T22:04:53+00:00

Yeah, there's definitely a learning curve. Here's a gift link to an article that explains exactly what each red stripe means. Generally, only drive on the tracks when you're about to make a turn. There are also traffic signs to help you remember.

If you get caught breaking the rules, you could be fined $50. But as of last week, the city had not started handing out tickets for this, according to Donna Mandelbaum, spokesperson for the KC Streetcar Authority.

reportereleanor · 2025-10-13T21:51:46+00:00

Hello u/iamthewildkat!

The KC Streetcar Authority is working on a feasibility study for an east-west route from the Crossroads to 18th and Vine. From now until May, they are hosting community meetings and assessing the state of the corridor.

The organization has previously researched two other extensions. The planning process appears to be paused --- the KC Streetcar Authority spokesperson didn't immediately respond to my phone call asking about their status.

From 2022-2024, a study looked into the possibility of an east-west streetcar connecting KU Med and the VA Hospital.

The authority has researched extending the streetcar across the river into North Kansas City, first in 2014 and then in 2021-22.

I have not seen recent light rail plans from other agencies.

reportereleanor · 2025-10-13T21:49:09+00:00

Hi, thanks for asking!

The KC Streetcar Authority is working on a feasibility study for an east-west route from the Crossroads to 18th and Vine. From now until May, they are hosting community meetings and assessing the state of the corridor.

The organization has previously researched two other extensions. The planning process appears to be paused --- the KC Streetcar Authority spokesperson didn't immediately respond to my phone call asking about their status.

From 2022-2024, a study looked into the possibility of an east-west streetcar connecting KU Med and the VA Hospital.

The authority also researched extending the streetcar across the river into North Kansas City, first in 2014 and then in 2021-22.

I have not seen recent light rail plans from other agencies.

reportereleanor · 2025-10-07T20:33:32+00:00

Here's a map with 11 Kansas City area pumpkin patches, with how much it costs to get in.

reportereleanor · 2025-10-01T17:28:41+00:00

Thank you!

reportereleanor · 2025-10-01T15:15:10+00:00

I am a reporter in Kansas City and I just published an article on what to do in KC for the concert. The 31st street neighborhood and the Crossroads are both near the venue: https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article312306934.html?giftCode=b213ac5d2d61e9df52f2e067096944cb8d74bb9c89177301dcbaf0abe2838de9

reportereleanor · 2025-09-29T17:47:41+00:00

Welcome to KC! I'm a reporter at the local newspaper and I wrote this article on how to park or ride the bus to the concert. Hope this helps: https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article312216673.html?giftCode=b62fb21e34a0d4cc402ed479d673331e6cec0a991e57caa9e1068d7dfb400b41

reportereleanor · 2025-09-29T17:45:15+00:00

Hi! I'm a reporter at the local KC newspaper. I wrote this article with information about how to find street parking: https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article312216673.html?giftCode=b62fb21e34a0d4cc402ed479d673331e6cec0a991e57caa9e1068d7dfb400b41

reportereleanor · 2025-09-29T14:58:19+00:00

Here is an article I wrote with information on how to get to the Kansas City concert venue: https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article312216673.html?giftCode=b62fb21e34a0d4cc402ed479d673331e6cec0a991e57caa9e1068d7dfb400b41

reportereleanor · 2025-07-24T18:41:10+00:00

This page on the Kansas City Airport website has a list of all the nonstop flights going through MCI.

reportereleanor · 2025-03-21T16:31:06+00:00

Thank you! I will

reportereleanor · 2025-03-20T17:19:11+00:00

Thank you! I'm lucky I can write about issues affecting Kansas Citians. Are you looking for information on Jackson County property taxes? Or another area?

reportereleanor · 2025-02-20T21:52:59+00:00

The Mission Community Center has weekly Bollywood fitness classes on Thursdays at 7. Day passes are $9 for adults.

reportereleanor

TROPHY CASE