07/31/2026
There been lots of talk about Kansas Cityâs Western Newspaper Union building and itâs future and Iâd like to share so more light on it.
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Built in 1900 (with an addition in 1906) for A.N. Kellog auxiliary newspaper company. When the owner of Western Newspaper Union, George Joslyn, purchased the Kellog in 1906, it played a key role in the growth of the Western Newspaper Union (WNU), acquiring and merging with various other printing firms and expanding itâs reach across the Mississippi Valley territory. Joslyns goal was to create a monopoly. By 1909, that monopoly was almost complete, but was stopped by the Sherman Antitrust Act. Joslyn had passed away in 1916, but the company continued its operations under his widow. It also remained to be a major player in the industry, engaging in legal battles with the American Press Association. Under Joslyns leadership, the WNU grew to serve over 12,000 newspapers in 32 cities across America. The WNU operated until 1961, when it was sold and renamed.
Added to the national registry of historic places on March 21st, 2007.
In 2017, the building was renovated and housed offices and short-term rental units. It remained in use until the end of 2025.
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A Miami-based developer (Revitalization Unlimited - who claims to âinvest in historically significant properties⌠to preserve the character and integrityâŚâ) is proposing to build a 20-story data center in Quality Hill, where the Western Newspaper Union building currently stands.
140,880 square ft. 384 ft tallâŚ
The first floor will consist of a coffee shop, with the remainder of the building for the data center. The architect has states due to newer sound dampening technology, low frequency hums typically generated by data centers shouldnât be heard and no exhaust should be generated by fuel cell of IT stacks, just âsome heat and water vaporâ. Water usage will be at a rate of 180 gallons per minute through a âclosed-loopâ cooling system. (259,200 gallons per day, 1,814,400 gallons per weekâŚ) The developer has said this is a different approach from other data centers. But isnât that whatâs always said?
âThis data center is different.â
âThis one wonât use that much water.â
âYou wonât be able to hear this data center.â
But why do we need another data center to begin with? There are 45 data centers currently in the Kansas City Metro area, 10-15 in just the downtown area.
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For this data center to be built, the current building will be demolished. Thatâs another historic building KC will be losing.
So realistically, what can be done?
Everyone has seen the pushback on data centers, lots will argue that the protesting and speaking at city hall meetings does nothing, but across the country we are starting to see bans on data centers being built!
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August 5th, 9am, the city plan commission will hold a PUBLIC hearing on the project. This is our opportunity to make it clear where we stand on this project. Itâll take place at city hall (414 E. 12th St - 10th floor).
If you are unable to attend but still want to be involved, the meeting will be available to join via Zoom!