TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! MANY COUNTRY CLUB MERCHANTS FEAR 'MLK PARKWAY' WOULD INVITE MORE PROTESTS TO THE PLAZA AFTER KANSAS CITY #BLACKLIVESMATTER RIOTS FINANCIALLY DEVASTATED BIZ!!!

As TKC reported FIRST and hinted at weeks ago, the effort to rename J.C. Nichols Fountain & Parkway in now a priority for the Kansas City Parks Board.

This is a bold move in response to recent civil unrest and most residents, rightly, believe that the effort has the best of intentions in order to inspire civic unity.

Sadly, an ancient proverb reminds us that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

First, a financial perspective from TOP ECHELON KCMO INSIDERS regarding recent local civil unrest . . .

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! THE NEGATIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF RECENT RIOTING ON THE COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA TOTALED NEARLY FIVE MILLION BUCKS!!!

This is a conservative estimate that recently circulated among Plaza owners which takes into account property damage, wages lost, and revenue decreases over the nearly two weeks the Country Club entertainment district was basically shut down.

Throughout the entire history of the entertainment district, only The Great Plaza Flood of 1977 created more damage than #BlackLivesMatter riots of 2020.



Accordingly . . .

Here's a quote from a Country Club Plaza Insider that shares perspective on the conflicted feelings of many locals regarding the move . . .

"First of all, I want KC to have a street named after MLK. That's a given and it's shameful that we haven't done it already. That being said, I've heard concerns from the African-American clergy they don't like this location . . . That's something to consider and I'm sure they'll address this soon. After such a devastating period of loss for the Plaza, so much property destroyed and continued hard feelings between many protesters and police . . . It seems like they're setting up The Plaza as a protest zone and that endangers our businesses, hotels and homes. Over the past few years we've seen more and more demonstrations make the Plaza their staging grounds and that's unfair to families who simply want to live, eat and conduct their business in peace. This isn't political at all. It was just as disconcerting when right wing protesters decided to ignore social distancing rules during the height of the pandemic and rally around the fountain. All I'm saying is that The Parks Board is turning The Plaza into 'protest central' and it will be impossible to do businesses in that environment . . ."

In fairness, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas seems enthusiastic about the idea . . .

Mayor Lucas said in a statement that he supports the efforts of Parks Board Commish Chris Goode's and the time to remove memorials to J.C. Nichols has “long passed."



“No person accelerated white flight, redlining and racial division in the Kansas City area more than J.C. Nichols,” Mayor Lucas said.

And so, another period of MLK public discussion is underway as municipal leaders hope a political gesture might help end local hostilities following riotous destruction and social justice outcry as the deadly violence that defines Kansas City persists.

Further reading:

KSHB: The Kansas City, Missouri, Parks and Recreation Board is considering renaming the J.C. Nichols Fountain in Mill Creek Park and J.C. Nichols Parkway after Commissioner Chris Goode made the request Tuesday in a letter to the board.

Fox4: Many attribute some of the Kansas City metro’s harsh racial and financial divide to Nichols.

KCTV5: The board said they have initiated the process to consider the renaming. “Considering current events, the KC Parks Board feels it is imperative to move swiftly as well as thoughtfully to ensure this process is transparent and inclusive,” a release from the Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation said.

You decide . . .