Thomas Friestad
@thomasfriestad.bsky.social
Development reporter covering who's building what, for whom and at what cost, with the Kansas City Business Journal. NoVA native turned Midwesterner by way of Mizzou J-School. Catch me running, reading, traveling, playing Smash or (re)watching Survivor.
Pinned
Thanks a bunch for following! Here, as on the bird app, I'll post coverage that seeks, at its core, to let KC residents know what's going on in their backyard. RTs = investigative work, media analysis, reality TV chicanery and the odd meme that catches my eye. News tips: [email protected].
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
TIMELINE CLEANSE
When's a time that a stranger helped you in an unexpected, maybe even small way?
When's a time that a stranger helped you in an unexpected, maybe even small way?
January 19, 2026 at 2:13 PM
TIMELINE CLEANSE
When's a time that a stranger helped you in an unexpected, maybe even small way?
When's a time that a stranger helped you in an unexpected, maybe even small way?
HAKC last month seemed to surprise many in announcing a $2.6B plan to "redefine affordable housing" with 7,100+ new, renovated or acquired units.
Much is TBD, but HAKC's plans include remaking all its public housing and getting a credit rating to issue bonds.
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Much is TBD, but HAKC's plans include remaking all its public housing and getting a credit rating to issue bonds.
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Housing Authority of Kansas announces multibillion-dollar affordable development plan - Kansas City Business Journal
The Housing Authority of Kansas City looks to take on a historic development plan that could see as many as 7,159 housing units built, redeveloped or acquired over a decade or more.
www.bizjournals.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:55 PM
HAKC last month seemed to surprise many in announcing a $2.6B plan to "redefine affordable housing" with 7,100+ new, renovated or acquired units.
Much is TBD, but HAKC's plans include remaking all its public housing and getting a credit rating to issue bonds.
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Much is TBD, but HAKC's plans include remaking all its public housing and getting a credit rating to issue bonds.
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
“Pioneering historic apartments along Midtown streetcar sell to California investor”
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Pioneering historic apartments along Midtown streetcar sell to California investor - Kansas City Business Journal
Two historic Midtown buildings — neglected for years and later converted to housing along the southern streetcar extension — sold to new owners.
www.bizjournals.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:59 PM
“Pioneering historic apartments along Midtown streetcar sell to California investor”
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Been following Costco business center chatter for a bit now, both as a reporter and a shopper. Will be interesting to see if this ordinance elicits any answers from the wholesaler, so far mum with media.
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
As rumors swirl about Midtown Costco, KC acts to preserve current retail format - Kansas City Business Journal
A new KC ordinance responds to recent rumors that Costco's popular Midtown warehouse could undergo a big change.
www.bizjournals.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Been following Costco business center chatter for a bit now, both as a reporter and a shopper. Will be interesting to see if this ordinance elicits any answers from the wholesaler, so far mum with media.
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
"Prairiefire defaults on CID-backed bonds after sales tax revenue comes up short"
To clarify: Prairiefire's STAR bonds defaulted a little over two years ago. OP issued these CID bonds separate, but parallel to them in 2012. Similar sales activity issues at play.
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
To clarify: Prairiefire's STAR bonds defaulted a little over two years ago. OP issued these CID bonds separate, but parallel to them in 2012. Similar sales activity issues at play.
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Prairiefire defaults on CID-backed bonds after sales tax revenue comes up short - Kansas City Business Journal
Overland Park's Prairiefire development again is coming up short on expectations, defaulting on another bond program.
www.bizjournals.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:24 PM
"Prairiefire defaults on CID-backed bonds after sales tax revenue comes up short"
To clarify: Prairiefire's STAR bonds defaulted a little over two years ago. OP issued these CID bonds separate, but parallel to them in 2012. Similar sales activity issues at play.
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
To clarify: Prairiefire's STAR bonds defaulted a little over two years ago. OP issued these CID bonds separate, but parallel to them in 2012. Similar sales activity issues at play.
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
"Country Club Plaza owner wants KC to give up 4-plus acres of sidewalks. Planners ask for clearer public guardrails."
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Country Club Plaza owner wants Kansas City to give up 4-plus acres of sidewalks - Kansas City Business Journal
Country Club Plaza ownership wants KC to give up its sidewalks. Planners so far have tabled the request twice, raising a need for clearer public guardrails.
www.bizjournals.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:17 PM
"Country Club Plaza owner wants KC to give up 4-plus acres of sidewalks. Planners ask for clearer public guardrails."
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
"Platte County washes hands of Zona Rosa garages ahead of bond lawsuit resolution"
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Platte County washes hands of Zona Rosa garages ahead of bond lawsuit resolution - Kansas City Business Journal
Platte County signed a deal to guarantee it won't have any future obligations tied to bonds supporting Zona Rosa's garages.
www.bizjournals.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
"Platte County washes hands of Zona Rosa garages ahead of bond lawsuit resolution"
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
#tbt 10/7/2024
Worth noting, the last public vote was for a 40-year stadium sales tax, not up or down on a stadium. Approval process ofc remains relevant when other public financing theoretically could drop on an agency meeting agenda the biz day before a vote.
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Worth noting, the last public vote was for a 40-year stadium sales tax, not up or down on a stadium. Approval process ofc remains relevant when other public financing theoretically could drop on an agency meeting agenda the biz day before a vote.
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
KC could offer Washington Square Park for Royals ballpark without public vote - Kansas City Business Journal
The newest Royals ballpark site would uniquely position Kansas City to take over from Jackson County as the team's landlord, and without another public vote.
www.bizjournals.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:57 PM
#tbt 10/7/2024
Worth noting, the last public vote was for a 40-year stadium sales tax, not up or down on a stadium. Approval process ofc remains relevant when other public financing theoretically could drop on an agency meeting agenda the biz day before a vote.
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Worth noting, the last public vote was for a 40-year stadium sales tax, not up or down on a stadium. Approval process ofc remains relevant when other public financing theoretically could drop on an agency meeting agenda the biz day before a vote.
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
CNN graphics put the asterisk in the wrong place, it appears…
January 8, 2026 at 2:24 AM
CNN graphics put the asterisk in the wrong place, it appears…
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
Olive Park Village residents describe fires and floods while living in apartments controlled by a Cleveland-based housing management company. With the city ordering the complex vacated, remaining families now have days to scramble for new homes.
KC's Olive Park Village residents displaced after HUD crackdown
KC's Olive Park Village residents confront displacement amid deteriorating conditions at property controlled by Millennia Housing Management.
buff.ly
January 8, 2026 at 12:29 AM
Olive Park Village residents describe fires and floods while living in apartments controlled by a Cleveland-based housing management company. With the city ordering the complex vacated, remaining families now have days to scramble for new homes.
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
Business Insider confirms our earlier reporting that Google cofounder Larry Page is cutting ties with California ahead of a voter initiative to tax the state's billionaires.
Good findings on how he's re-registered his businesses in other states.
www.businessinsider.com/larry-page-l...
Good findings on how he's re-registered his businesses in other states.
www.businessinsider.com/larry-page-l...
Larry Page is officially moving business out of California ahead of a proposed billionaire's tax
The Google cofounder has severed ties between California and several of his business entities, including his family office.
www.businessinsider.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:39 AM
Business Insider confirms our earlier reporting that Google cofounder Larry Page is cutting ties with California ahead of a voter initiative to tax the state's billionaires.
Good findings on how he's re-registered his businesses in other states.
www.businessinsider.com/larry-page-l...
Good findings on how he's re-registered his businesses in other states.
www.businessinsider.com/larry-page-l...
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
No thoughts. Only ball.
January 6, 2026 at 7:32 PM
No thoughts. Only ball.
“KC's historic Fed building heads for foreclosure after developer blows deadline”
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
KC's historic Fed building heads for foreclosure after developer blows deadline - Kansas City Business Journal
A recent court order lets a lender on KC's historic Federal Reserve building go forward with foreclosure.
www.bizjournals.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:46 AM
“KC's historic Fed building heads for foreclosure after developer blows deadline”
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
“KC nonprofit reStart buys Midtown hotel for temporary family housing”
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
KC nonprofit reStart buys Midtown hotel for temporary family housing - Kansas City Business Journal
Multiple luxury apartments are going up along KC's streetcar. A shuttered Midtown hotel now will be converted for a different, much-needed housing type along the extended route.
www.bizjournals.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:11 AM
“KC nonprofit reStart buys Midtown hotel for temporary family housing”
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
In Kansas City, Missouri, where housing costs are rising at twice the national average, a successful rent strike at one building inspired another across town in what is poised to become a national movement. https://wapo.st/3NmCbni
December 31, 2025 at 1:00 AM
In Kansas City, Missouri, where housing costs are rising at twice the national average, a successful rent strike at one building inspired another across town in what is poised to become a national movement. https://wapo.st/3NmCbni
Online search popularity for “STAR bonds” reached an all-time high after the Chiefs announced their Kansas stadium plans, according to Google Trends. Popular related queries included “what are STAR bonds," "how do STAR bonds work" and "STAR bonds explained."
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
December 30, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Online search popularity for “STAR bonds” reached an all-time high after the Chiefs announced their Kansas stadium plans, according to Google Trends. Popular related queries included “what are STAR bonds," "how do STAR bonds work" and "STAR bonds explained."
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Housing series part three, the one I didn’t plan on, but got inspired to do after seeing stats on how competitive KC’s affordable rents are vs. the market’s natural averages. Developers and nonprofits weigh in on how best to add units across the income spectrum.
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
December 30, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Housing series part three, the one I didn’t plan on, but got inspired to do after seeing stats on how competitive KC’s affordable rents are vs. the market’s natural averages. Developers and nonprofits weigh in on how best to add units across the income spectrum.
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
This is true and I was the only one on set excited about it (and playing the song on my phone to blank stares)
Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
December 30, 2025 at 4:21 AM
This is true and I was the only one on set excited about it (and playing the song on my phone to blank stares)
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
What a beautiful photo from last night’s snowfall. Photo credit: Adam Gray for The New York Times
December 27, 2025 at 3:50 PM
What a beautiful photo from last night’s snowfall. Photo credit: Adam Gray for The New York Times
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
Only five Sears stores remain in the U.S., with the end likely near for what was once the mightiest American retailer. Here’s a look back at why the company’s last great hope was a promise that never materialized.
Why Sears’s Last Great Hope Was a Promise That Never Materialized
Only five Sears stores remain in the country, with the end likely near for what was once the mightiest American retailer.
nyti.ms
December 26, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Only five Sears stores remain in the U.S., with the end likely near for what was once the mightiest American retailer. Here’s a look back at why the company’s last great hope was a promise that never materialized.
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
Children used to worry they’d get a lump of coal in their stocking. But in this deep red Pennsylvania town, coal is exactly what the children are hoping to get
December 25, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Children used to worry they’d get a lump of coal in their stocking. But in this deep red Pennsylvania town, coal is exactly what the children are hoping to get
"Historic $105M Crossroads plan advances office occupancy, amenities — and a new smokestack"
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Historic $105M Crossroads plan advances office occupancy, amenities — and a new smokestack - Kansas City Business Journal
Passersby might recently have noticed new smokestack signage atop the Star's former newsroom. Here's what's been going on inside.
www.bizjournals.com
December 24, 2025 at 6:48 PM
"Historic $105M Crossroads plan advances office occupancy, amenities — and a new smokestack"
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Of note: I realized, after this story, Kansas Commerce published two versions of their STAR bond map — one standalone, appearing to include Lake Quivira, and another as an agreement exhibit, with red-dash lines excluding it. The 293-square-mile estimate counts Lake Quivira's ~1.6-square-mile area. 🤷♂️
December 24, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Of note: I realized, after this story, Kansas Commerce published two versions of their STAR bond map — one standalone, appearing to include Lake Quivira, and another as an agreement exhibit, with red-dash lines excluding it. The 293-square-mile estimate counts Lake Quivira's ~1.6-square-mile area. 🤷♂️
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
"My name has been an epithet for so long; I fantasize about what it might come to represent. 'Why, these pearls?' a lady might say. 'They were a Christmas gift from my husband.' 'You’re a lucky girl—he sounds like quite the Scrooge!' will be the reply."
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/sur...
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/sur...
Surely People Will Remember Me, Ebenezer Scrooge, as the Christmas-Loving Man I Became
Dearest Fred,
I have great news: after endless interview sessions, Charles told me today that he’s finally ready to start drafting my biography. He...
www.mcsweeneys.net
December 23, 2025 at 7:14 PM
"My name has been an epithet for so long; I fantasize about what it might come to represent. 'Why, these pearls?' a lady might say. 'They were a Christmas gift from my husband.' 'You’re a lucky girl—he sounds like quite the Scrooge!' will be the reply."
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/sur...
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/sur...