Search Results: origin story
Downtown Convention Hotel Expects to Break Ground Jan. 2, Wins Key Approvals from Development Agency
Updated: Kansas City Tax Increment Financing Commission approved redevelopment agreement and other documents for convention hotel project this morning, last public hurdle for the project. By Kevin Collison After seven years of discussion and planning, construction of a 24-story, 800-room downtown convention hotel is expected to begin Jan. 2 following approvals of key documents Wednesday….
Ugly Holiday Sweater Dog Party & Other Weekend Possibilities
You know that onesie you bought for Christmas? Get it out of the drawer and head to Rhythm & Booze (423 Southwest Blvd). It’s hosting an adult onesie party this from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday. Not a onesie person? You can trot out your ugly Christmas sweater at the 403 Club (614 Reynolds Ave.,…
Downtown YMCA Project Wins Key State Funding Needed to Complete Fundraising
By Kevin Collison After a 36 year absence, a full-service YMCA is returning to downtown Kansas City following approval Tuesday of state tax credits needed to help finance building its new home in the historic Lyric Theater. The Missouri Development Finance Board approved up to $4 million in state tax credits, a move that’s expected…
If Historic Tax Credits Go Away, Local and National Redevelopment Will Come to a Crumbling Halt
GUEST COMMENTARY By Elizabeth Rosin Have you noticed how Kansas City has changed over the past decade, how vibrant our urban core has become? It was a gradual process that happened one property at a time. Most of these buildings were transformed using the historic tax credit (HTC), a tool that helps developers leverage private…
Historic Brookfield Building Reopening Soon as Hotel Indigo and Fairfax Lofts
By Kevin Collison Back in its previous heyday, the historic Fairfax building at 11th and Baltimore, later known as the Brookfield, was the place to buy a train or airplane ticket in Kansas City. When it opened in 1930, the 12-story Art Deco tower was named after the then-new Fairfax airport in Kansas City, Kan….
New Buck O’Neil Bridge Repair Plan Keeps Span Open to Northbound Traffic, Buys Time for Long-Term Solution
By Kevin Collison In a big breakthrough for downtown commuters, state highway and city officials have come up with an interim repair plan that avoids closing the Buck O’Neil Bridge entirely and buys time to come up with a hoped-for, permanent replacement. The proposal would address critical repair needs to the bridge between downtown and…
Hotel Indigo Plans to Offer Creative Stay at Crossroads Arts District Location
By Kevin Collison Work on the $13 million Hotel Indigo project at 2020 Grand Blvd. is well underway with the goal of it being a unique place to stay fitting with its Crossroads Arts District location. “I don’t want it to be in the Crossroads and just be a ‘Hampton Inn,’” said developer Matt Abbott….
Kansas City Star Owner Scraps Deal to Sell Massive Press Pavilion Overlooking Downtown—for Now
By Kevin Collison The owner of The Kansas City Star has decided not to sell the newspaper’s massive green-glass production plant overlooking downtown after all. McClatchy announced in its third quarter earnings report that it had “terminated” a sale-leaseback agreement for the 434,000 square-foot Press Pavilion with an entity called R2 Capital LLC. The distinctive…
Tap List | BKS Artisan Ales Announces Soft Opening
Brian and Mary Rooney spent last Friday evening applying labels to aluminum cans and preparing for a major milestone. Today, the brewery, BKS Artisan Ales, announced its first soft opening, a ticketed tasting event from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 at the brewery (633 E. 63rd St., #120). Tickets go on sale Wednesday, Oct….
Winning by Attrition
As its name suggests, University Academy was created to prepare students for college. By most measures, the charter school in Kansas City is a tremendous success. In 2016, University Academy received a 100 percent score on the state’s Annual Performance Report. All the graduating seniors received offers to attend a four-year college. The results look…