http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-966088.mp3
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The controversial plan to build another high-rise office building on the Plaza got the go-ahead from the Kansas City city council Thursday.
Councilwoman Jan Marcason spoke for the 8 members who voted for the latest version of the Highwoods Properties proposal. And she admitted that with the Polsinelli Shughart law firm saying it is no longer pursuing the location, the building may never get built.
But, she said, Highwoods and the proposed tenant had met all the initial objections of the group that opposed the building and still were turned down... so the council needed to send a message to developers: "We are sending a message that if you do the right thing and if you work with us, then we will support you."
Opponents of the building said before the vote that if the council didn't respect their wishes, they would mount a petition campaign to get a repeal measure on the November ballot.