Urban Renewal: The Movie

"Like many American cities, this state's largest is spending billions to bring new life to its 2.5-square-mile downtown. But it may be the only one to pay a team of filmmakers to document the whole process, warts and all.

Altman and Larrabee, both natives who have won awards for their work on PBS documentaries about the environment, approached the city about three years ago with the idea of making a documentary about the city's plans, successes and controversies. The film also would compare Kansas City's story to similar projects nationwide, including footage shot and interviews with developers and city officials in San Diego; Portland, Ore.; and Baltimore, among other places."