KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Kansas City-based development group gave a glimpse Monday afternoon of plans for a 33-story high-rise in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

Representatives from Overland Park-based EPC Real Estate Group discussed early details of the planned development before the Port KC Board of Commissioners on Monday.

Their plan calls for a 33-story tower, dubbed Encore, on the west side of Broadway Boulevard between W. 16th and W. 17th streets. The project would sit across from the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts.

The $215 million project would be divided into three parcels, with the first parcel offering 392 residential units on 1.34 acres. Of the units, 134 would be studio apartments, 118 units would be one-bedroom, 134 units would be two-bedroom and six units would be three-bedroom.

Courtesy EPC Real Estate/PortKC

Developers plan to make phased contributions of $2 million to the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, making roughly 126 of the units affordable.

Because of the location of the first parcel in relation to Kansas City Downtown – Wheeler Field, the height of the building would be capped at 366 feet.

EPC Real Estate Group/Port KC

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The first parcel would also include 481 parking stalls. Plans for two subsequent parcels are still under development, though they do not face the same height restrictions as the first parcel.

Developers detailed the project Monday at the Port KC meeting. The project is seeking bond authorization approval from the agency.

If developers can close on bonds and execute a development and incentive compliance agreement, construction could begin later in 2026 and last through 2029.

INDEPENDENCE, MO — Today, local business owner Michael Young announced his candidacy for state representative in District 21. With a passion for community, Young will bring a fresh approach to the politics-as-usual attitude that has plagued the Missouri Capitol for years.

“Now is the time for practical leadership in state government,” stated Young. “People are tired of being ignored and divided by arbitrary attributes. While career politicians and lobbyists rub elbows at fancy banquets, everyday Missourians are struggling to make ends meet. Right here in Independence people are at risk of losing their homes due to outrageous taxation rates and frivolous government spending. Our government’s priorities are all out of order. It’s time to put hardworking families back at the forefront.”

Young’s platform revolves around a “people over parties” approach to politics, including key topics such as defending constitutional liberties, providing economic relief, supporting first responders, and seeking common sense over extremism. As the owner of Miracle Method Surface Refinishing of KC (a remodelling company) and Vertical Care (an aviation detailing company), as well as a father of four, he knows the struggles facing families and small businesses in these turbulent times.

“Now is not the time for political tug-of-war or point-scoring. We need leaders who will stand up to any legislator showing more interest in empty rhetoric than problem-solving—regardless of party. I will be a voice for all workers who feel abandoned by our state officials. I believe Missouri thrives when our working class thrives. That’s what my campaign is focused on: uplifting and building our community.”

Young remains active in the community through his service on the planning commission, Resource Health board, and the city’s FIFA World Cup Advisory Committee. He and his wife of 30 years, Denise, enjoy spending time with friends over good food chatting about how to build a better culture and community when they aren’t spending time with their eleven beautiful grandchildren. He hopes they will inherit an Independence that remains full of opportunity and prosperity.

“The American Dream isn’t dead, but it is being strangled by bureaucracy and the political class. Red or blue, conservative or liberal—we are all Missourians with bills to pay and mouths to feed. I want my grandchildren to inherit a Missouri where hard work is rewarded, not stifled or punished. I will hold both parties accountable to facts, reason, and our Constitution. That’s not a tagline; it’s a promise.”

Michael Young is running to secure the Republican Party’s nomination in the August primary election and face off against the Democratic incumbent in November. He has already begun speaking with voters to hear their thoughts and concerns for the district.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) -Missouri’s new congressional map is back in court. This time, lawyers and judges are focused on what Missourians could see on the ballot in November.

Cole County Judge Brian Stumpe is considering arguments in a lawsuit that claims the suggested ballot language is biased against the map. Secretary of State Denny Hoskins wrote a question for the ballot that petitioners say would sway voters against their cause.

The congressional map signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe creates new districts for Missouri’s representation in the U.S. House and carves up the Kansas City area, currently held by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver.

People Not Politicians, the group behind a petition drive, said it turned in more than enough signatures in December 2025 to trigger a statewide vote. If enough of those signatures are verified as valid, the vote is likely to happen this November. Secretary of State Denny Hoskins wrote a summary and a question that could appear on the ballot. It reads:

“Do the people of the state of Missouri approve the act of the General Assembly entitled “House Bill No. 1 (2025 Second Extraordinary Session),” which repeals Missouri’s existing gerrymandered congressional plan that protects incumbent politicians, and replaces it with new congressional boundaries that keep more cities and counties intact, are more compact, and better reflects statewide voting patterns?”

The Secretary of State’s office admitted previously in court that the phrases “gerrymandered” and “protects incumbent politicians” are biased and asks the court for a partial judgment to remove those. However, Hoskins stands behind the descriptions of the new map as “more compact” and “better reflects statewide voting patterns.”

In the Monday afternoon trial, arguments today focused on part of the suggested ballot language that claims this new map keeps communities together and has less partisan bias than the old map.

Opponents of the map called up expert witnesses to explain how the new map was drawn to favor Republicans. One witness, Sean Nicholson, said the suggestion that the new map is less biased is “laughable,” and the whole point of House Bill 1 was to create “more partisan bias.”

In response, the state’s lawyers tried to show the expert witness was biased against the map. Nicholson previously served as an advisor to the Democratic caucus during redistricting in 2022, served on the citizen board for redistricting, and is now employed by the People Not Politicians campaign as an advisor.

People Not Politicians submitted a suggested rewrite of the ballot language. It reads:

“Do the people of the state of Missouri approve the act of the General Assembly entitled ‘House Bill No. 1 (2025 Second Extraordinary Session),’ which repeals Missouri’s existing congressional plan and replaces it with new congressional boundaries?”

Even as this trial happens, the Secretary of State has not officially verified if there are enough signatures to get the map on the ballot. The deadline for verifying the signatures is in July 2026. But that could create even more complications. Candidates will start filing for the 2026 election this month, which means they need to know if they’re filing for the old congressional districts or the new ones.

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