Kansas City officials broke ground this week on the new Zhou Brothers Art Center. The project will transform the unoccupied Crispus Attucks School — at 19th Street + Woodland Avenue — into an arts hub that includes a museum, art studios, and retail spaces.

The project is mostly privately funded, with $2 million coming from KCMO.

That's only the most recent development among 14 recent + current projects in the Historic 18th & Vine District. Those include a three-phase, multi-family housing development, the Boone Theater redevelopment, and the 2000 Vine project in the old Water Department building.

Earlier this year, US Rep. Emaneul Cleaver II also announced $4 million in federal funding for a pedestrian plaza (think: no cars), which is planned for two blocks between 18th Street between The Paseo and Highland Avenue. Residents and local stakeholders recently had a public meeting at the Gregg/Klice Community Center to show potential designs and aggregate feedback.

Note: a pedestrian mall was also suggested for The Plaza. Tell us what you think.

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