Thomas Friestad
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thomasfriestad.bsky.social
Thomas Friestad
@thomasfriestad.bsky.social
450 followers 520 following 230 posts
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.
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thomasfriestad.bsky.social
Thomas Friestad @thomasfriestad.bsky.social · Nov 12
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].
thomasfriestad.bsky.social
So, there's the Plaza master plan that'll set future design standards — and then there's, like, the MASTER plan that, at least conceptually, shows where ownership wants to put specific types of Taller Buildings™, when and at what cost.

I break it down here:

www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Here's where Country Club Plaza offices, apartments and hotels could go - Kansas City Business Journal
The Country Club Plaza's proposed $1.4 billion in new development has been a bit general — until now.
www.bizjournals.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:41 PM
thomasfriestad.bsky.social
California investor buys Berkley Riverfront's first apartments amid $1B+ development wave

www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Griffin Capital acquires Union Berkley apartments that sparked riverfront transformation - Kansas City Business Journal
A 407-unit apartment complex that served as a pioneer project for the Berkley Riverfront sold to a Californai investment and management firm.
www.bizjournals.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
karenattiah.bsky.social
A reminder that seven years ago almost to the day, the CIA determined that Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the killing of @washingtonpost.com journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.

www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
CIA concludes Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi’s assassination
Audio recordings, intercepted phone calls and other intelligence link Mohammed bin Salman to killing that Saudis say was conducted by rogue elements.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
thomasfriestad.bsky.social
Not my first Plaza Bowl story, but the first to unpack how new projects have measured up to Plaza area height rules and guidelines. This was already in the works...then the 275-foot Seville West site ordinance dropped. The biggest case study yet may be nigh.

www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Decades-long debate about towers on the Plaza hits new heights with Nordstrom site - Kansas City Business Journal
Debates about Plaza tower heights have gone on for decades — almost as long as exceptions to those limits.
www.bizjournals.com
September 26, 2025 at 2:30 PM
thomasfriestad.bsky.social
Breaking: "Country Club Plaza owner eyes $1.3B redevelopment with new mixed uses, infrastructure"

www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Country Club Plaza owner eyes $1.3B redevelopment with new mixed uses, infrastructure - Kansas City Business Journal
More details emerge about the Country Club Plaza ownership's plans to redevelop and reinvest in the historic shopping district.
www.bizjournals.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
annabower.bsky.social
Spilling the identity of Deep Throat to your camp friend is top-tier personal lore

bsky.app/profile/urba...
Culeman-Beckman, now 19, says Jacob revealed Deep Throat's identity to him when they were both at a day camp in Bridgehampton, L.l., in 1988. They were 8 at the time. Using the information - and piles of research - Culeman-Beckman wrote a high-school paper about Deep Throat's identity this year. The paper formed the basis for a Hartford Courant article yesterday. Culeman-Beckman recalled: "We entered into a very precocious discussion of politics. Somehow the conversation degenerated to talk about Watergate and in a burst of braggadocio, he said that Deep Throat was Mark Felt.
November 14, 2025 at 10:59 PM
thomasfriestad.bsky.social
Part two of our 2025 housing series! Officials had high initial hopes for KC’s set-aside policy for incentive-receiving apartments. But despite 1,000s of affordable units planned citywide, none have been built as a result of the policy, and few have tried. www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
November 14, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
thomasfriestad.bsky.social
KCBJ's Sydnie Savage and I have the latest on what, one way or another, stands to be one of the area's most consequential office moves in recent memory — and the first official confirmation of Lockton news we've covered since June.

www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Lockton confirms it could leave Country Club Plaza for Leawood mixed-use campus - Kansas City Business Journal
We've reported that Lockton's HQ might be on the move. Now a planned KC-area project reveals that it's targeting the giant insurance company.
www.bizjournals.com
October 7, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
frogandtoadbot.bsky.social
“I hope that if I bang my head against the wall, it will help me to think of a story,” said Toad.
Toad spins around, dizzy, head hurting. From "The Story" In *Frog and Toad Are Friends*
November 14, 2025 at 5:37 AM
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
literallytho.bsky.social
yes, tell em king
Screenshot of an IG post from Variety with photo of Vince Gilligan and Bob Odenkirk. Caption reads “Breaking Bad creator says ‘I hate AI’ and ‘It’s the worlds most expensive plagiarism machine’” Another Variety screenshot with photo of Vincecand Rhea Seehorn and caption that says “AI is the worlds most expensive and energy intensive plagiarism machine. I think there is a very high possibility that this is all a bunch of horseshit”
November 12, 2025 at 12:49 AM
thomasfriestad.bsky.social
"TIF Commission backs $484M plan to build luxury apartments, save historic complex along Grand"

www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
TIF Commission backs $484M plan to build luxury apartments, save historic complex along Grand - Kansas City Business Journal
The TIF Commission expressed support for a $484.4 million master plan aiming to turn a stretch of Grand Boulevard into "the new face of Downtown."
www.bizjournals.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:13 PM
thomasfriestad.bsky.social
There are indeed changes in store for many Plaza-area hotels.

"Large Country Club Plaza-area hotel will be demolished after recent closing"

www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Large Country Club Plaza-area hotel will be demolished after recent closing - Kansas City Business Journal
A Country Club Plaza-area hotel will be demolished after owner Saint Luke's found reusing the property unfeasible.
www.bizjournals.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:17 PM
thomasfriestad.bsky.social
“Owner: Historic Midtown buildings will be replaced with 'imaginative' mixed-use project”

www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Owner: Historic Midtown buildings will be replaced with 'imaginative' mixed-use project - Kansas City Business Journal
The historic buildings at 31st and Main are beyond saving, the site's ownership says, but the property won't be empty for long after they're demolished.
www.bizjournals.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:01 AM
thomasfriestad.bsky.social
“Lux Living opens first Crossroads apartments after years of construction”

www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Lux Living opens first Crossroads apartments after years of construction - Kansas City Business Journal
The second of Lux Living's two KC apartment projects opens its first units.
www.bizjournals.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:57 AM
thomasfriestad.bsky.social
“Aspiria withdraws redevelopment plan in Overland Park as Royals stadium review stretches on”

www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Aspiria withdraws redevelopment plan in Overland Park as Royals stadium review stretches on - Kansas City Business Journal
Aspiria's owner withdrew a mixed-use plan for the Overland Park campus. See what it would have changed.
www.bizjournals.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
taniel.bsky.social
WTF, the Kansas City Star is reporting that a mysterious group hired a fake 'campaign canvasser' who'd join the effort to collect signatures to halt the GOP's gerrymander... but who'd be a spy on the inside.

www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Inside mysterious push to block signature-gathering against Missouri redistricting
The source of the contract remains a mystery. But its existence has raised alarm as Missouri gears up for a potential statewide vote.
www.kansascity.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
kcur.org
KCUR and WIRED recently published an investigation about a major breach of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department, which revealed a list of alleged officer misconduct including dishonesty, sexual harassment, excessive force, and false arrest.
Our investigation into Kansas City, Kansas Police Department’s officer misconduct list
KCUR and WIRED recently published an investigation about a major breach of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department, which revealed a list of alleged officer misconduct including dishonesty, sexual harassment, excessive force, and false arrest.
www.kcur.org
November 4, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
status.news
McClatchy, the 168-year-old newspaper chain, has gutted its national news operation—another reminder of how once-towering newspaper giants are struggling to survive.

Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/mcclatchy-...
McClatchy’s Quiet Cuts
McClatchy, the 168-year-old newspaper chain, has gutted its national news operation—another reminder of how once-towering newspaper giants are struggling to survive.
www.status.news
November 5, 2025 at 2:56 AM
thomasfriestad.bsky.social
Northland business leaders say the legacy Cerner World Headquarters could once again be a major employment hub, instead of a “ghost town on the hill” — if only Oracle would engage on a new plan

www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Northland business groups want action at 'ghost town' Cerner World Headquarters - Kansas City Business Journal
Northland business groups say Cerner's vacant HQ campus could once again bustle with employees — if only Oracle would engage on a new plan.
www.bizjournals.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
annabower.bsky.social
Next up on CBS News: Constitutional law scholar Nicholas Cage!
October 28, 2025 at 11:30 PM
thomasfriestad.bsky.social
"Copaken, Tom's Town founders partner on $47M Crossroads hotel"

www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Copaken, Tom's Town founders partner on $47M Crossroads hotel - Kansas City Business Journal
A $47.1 million boutique hotel named after Tom Pendergast is proposed just south of Tom's Town in the Crossroads.
www.bizjournals.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:27 PM
thomasfriestad.bsky.social
Breaking: “Country Club Plaza hotel will sell, see renovation under familiar partnership”

www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Country Club Plaza hotel will sell, see renovation under familiar partnership - Kansas City Business Journal
Here's who wants to buy and renovate a historic hotel near the Country Club Plaza.
www.bizjournals.com
October 24, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
thomasfriestad.bsky.social
The owners of The Grand apartments are asking a Kansas City incentive agency for a greater tax break, saying repeated nearby shootings and crime incidents otherwise could jeopardize the downtown building's financial future.

www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Downtown apartment owners seek deeper PIEA incentive to offset shootings, crime - Kansas City Business Journal
A downtown apartment building's owners point to rising nearby crime incidents in seeking to extend a 100% property tax abatement.
www.bizjournals.com
October 13, 2025 at 7:20 PM
thomasfriestad.bsky.social
"Kansas City developers propose 158 new homes in Columbus Park under joint TIF plan"

www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...
Kansas City developers propose 158 new homes in Columbus Park under joint TIF plan - Kansas City Business Journal
Two developers seeking TIF incentives together plan more than 150 for-sale homes and nearly $100 million in residential construction around Columbus Park.
www.bizjournals.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Reposted by Thomas Friestad
kjhealy.co
I am kind of astonished at how muted the reaction has been so far in a country were people try to get, like, gas stations declared as historic landmarks. Can we at least get Mike Johnson on camera claiming he hasn’t seen these pictures? Or doesn’t know where or what the White House is?
Trump Is Demolishing the Entire East Wing to Make Way for His Ballroom President Trump initially said the construction at the White House would not touch the East Wing or "interfere with the current building." See more updates › ACECO
October 22, 2025 at 8:05 PM