Interesting that a candidate for City Council would kick off the New Year by calling out two Kansas City power players . . . Nevertheless, the bold move certainly caught my attention.
Here's the most important part of the recent media alert with more details after the jump:
"Anne McGregor, a pro-development candidate for KCMO City Council (4th district-at-large) will hold press conference to speak out in opposition to the Polsinelli/Highwoods irresponsible plan to change the character of the Country Club Plaza and to call for legislative action."
Now check the presser:
WHAT: PRESS CONFERENCE
Anne McGregor, a pro-development candidate for KCMO City Council (4th district-at-large) holds press conference to speak out in opposition to the Polsinelli/Highwoods irresponsible plan to change the character of the Country Club Plaza and to call for legislative action.
WHEN: Thursday, January 6th at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Plaza in front of the North Face Store 312 West 47th Street
WHY: Because Kansas City development needs responsible development focused on what is best for the City, not private real estate developers.
As a successful small business owner who has traveled the country, Kansas Citian, Anne McGregor feels it is time for Kansas City to take a cue from other unique and vital towns and cities around the nation. It is time for its political and business leaders to understand what the leaders of towns and cities such as Sante Fe, N.M., San Antonio, T.X., Boston, Mass., and Portland, Ore., have realized for a quarter century and longer:
A city’s unique character is part of what brings a value to a destination for tourists, residents of the city and business owners. Anything that harms that character harms that city’s future as an attractive destination for tourists and prospective businesses.
The Country Club Plaza has become a cherished and nationally recognized symbol of Kansas City. Although McGregor is not against development, she is against anything that would harm or mar or detract from what, for nearly the last 100 years, has remained a vital business center and picture postcard draw to millions of visitors and Kansas City area residents.
McGregor believes that the self-serving interest of developers and development lawyers and their continued push to control the development approval process must end. McGregor sets forth her position clearly by stating, “The City Council must never become a wholly owned subsidiary of the developers and their attorneys. We need leadership that will demand proper balance for development which will protect the integrity of our City. Our City Council has blindly given away too much for monuments to the few while the neighborhoods suffer. I with the rest of the people of Kansas City will not be held hostage by threats of companies moving across state line.” McGregor thinks it is time to enact the Plaza “bowl” model as law. Over the last 5 months, Polsinelli/Highwoods – bowing to intense public criticism – has, for the third time, changed its plan to build a 10-story and now 7-story, 193,000-square-foot office building on the north edge of the Plaza.
Polsinelli/Highwood’s newest plan may seem like a fine accommodation. It is not. The character of the Country Club Plaza, and thus Kansas City, is being irreparably damaged. McGregor is calling for legislative action to rezone the Plaza and protect Kansas City’s interests.
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She could have done this at any time in the last few months.
ReplyDeleteBut she only did it after her campaign ran out of gas, hoping that it might get her some press and some support.
It's called grandstanding.
Polsinelli/Highwoods has thrown money at Pat O'Neill to protect it. In addition, John Crawford has hired Pat O'Neill's protoge to front for him as a campaign manager.
ReplyDeleteSorry Anne. It's over.
The real agenda will remain unopposed as long as these players can masquerade as their own opposition.
ReplyDeleteObviously not pro-development since she's bought into the basic fluff argument behind the opposition.
ReplyDeleteThe Plaza will be fine. People act as if professionals don't get paid to make sure buildings fit into their surroundings.
They could easily go to Kansas and it'd be a better financial package. Change is the law of life. It's the same assholes that would fit much-needed expansion of narrow roads because they don't want growth into their neighborhood.
What exactly is her suggestion? It doesn't mention anything. There is only criticism, but no solution or alterations mentioned that would be acceptable.
ReplyDeletePandering... that office building will be there because it can be and there's nothing fundamentally wrong with it. 'Integrity' of the Plaza, give me a break.
Jeez. Government by press release. That's what California got with Schwarzenegger.
ReplyDeleteI'm not crazy about this current design, but the last couple were much worse. Why didn't she talk about those designs?
Either way too early or way too late for the Hail Mary pass!
ReplyDeleteWhile she has the press's attention, maybe Anne can also take gutsy relevant stands in favor of puppies and against nuclear war at the same time.
We already have plenty of clueless people at 12th and Oak.
Next!!
Actually, I like Anne, and I give her credit for getting out here early. And I know she's gone to a lot of homes.
ReplyDeleteIf this campaign doesn't work out, she should try again for another office. She's a very earnest person.
The Polsinelli building is inevitable. The current design is mildly acceptable. I am sure there will be further tweaking to the frontage. Anne McGregor is a very poor strategist. She makes for a lousy candidate. She will not make it past the primary, which is a good thing. We cannot afford a weak council member...again.
ReplyDeleteCome on Anne would not be a weak link at 12th and Oak, but she woould still be a missing link their. She alway a week late and a FULL LOAD SHORT
ReplyDeleteShe has no thoughts of her own. Harris Wilder speaks through her. And gives her his load.
ReplyDelete1/5/11 12:32 PM
ReplyDeleteBleh!!
I just threw up in my mouth . . .
I wonder whether Harris had to give up Misty Dawn Casey in order to get Anne back? Maybe a loverboy like Harris talked them both into an arrangement?
ReplyDeleteMase Hakes isn't doing his job getting her to be the media's favorite, maybe its because he is to busy kissing ass.
ReplyDeleteAnne if you took Harris back before requiring him to submit to a range of health tests, I think you had better head to the lab yourself. That scuzz keeps a stringer of sluts and whores with him at all times.
ReplyDeleteschöne Titten
ReplyDeleteI really hope that Harris did not defile Misty. She is a very nice person.
ReplyDeletedamn, Tony! Do you have to post the ugly woman picture? At least photoshop the thing.
ReplyDeleteIt is disgusting that a very good person's name (Misty) was dragged into this Harris Wilder BS.
ReplyDeleteI thought Linda McCartney died some years back.
ReplyDelete