Arts & Entertainment
Pennway Point Proposal Would Add Ferris Wheel to Downtown
(Editor’s note: This article originally was published March 16, 2022. This week, the developer filed a $3.9 million building permit with the city for “Ferris Wheel site with associated amenities.” By Kevin Collison An entertainment district at the south end of the Broadway viaduct that would include a 170-foot Ferris wheel, neon sign museum and…
Analysis: Parking, Traffic and Taxpayer Costs Are Key Downtown Ballpark Concerns
By Kevin Collison Last week’s “open letter” from Royals’ owner John Sherman about building a new ballpark in or near downtown, while not unexpected, still sent shock waves through the metro. Gauging from CityScene readership, the immediate reaction was huge with a record 20,000 plus page views of the article about his $2 billion announcement…
Nationally-Renowned Ballpark Author Says Timing Right to Bring Royals Downtown
(Editor’s note: This article originally was published Jan. 31, 2020) By Kevin Collison Kansas City was “lucky” 15 years ago not to build a downtown ballpark when the Royals lease was last up, but that’s all changed now, according to Paul Goldberger, author of the new book “Ballpark: Baseball in the American City.” The Pulitzer Prize-winning…
Royals Pitch $2 Billion Downtown Ballpark Development, ‘Largest Public-Private Investment in KC History’
By Kevin Collison Royals owner John Sherman officially announced what’s long been expected Tuesday–he intends to relocate his ball club to downtown as part of what he described as a $2 billion redevelopment plan. “A new home would be a far better investment, both for local taxpayer dollars already supporting our facility, and for the Kansas…
Nashville-Based ‘The Escape Game’ Plans Spring Opening at Plaza
By Kevin Collison The Escape Game, a Nashville chain specializing in “story-driven missions,” is planning to open a franchise in the Country Club Plaza this spring, the latest immersive-style entertainment venue to liven up the venerable retail district. The new venture is planned for space at 320 Ward Parkway currently occupied by the Ricca Sposa…
Nelson-Atkins and Negro League Museums Get Brews of Their Own
Downtown brewers have rolled out a couple of special edition beers to help raise money for two major cultural institutions, the Negro League Baseball Museum and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. City Barrel Brewing in the East Crossroads has released a pale ale called Creative Juice in partnership with the Nelson-Atkins. The beer will be…
Historic Folly Theater Debuts $4.2M Overhaul
By Kevin Collison The Folly, downtown’s oldest entertainment venue, debuted its fresh face last weekend after a $4.2 million makeover that added a balcony bar and lounge as well as new seats, carpeting and stage curtains. The major overhaul of the former burlesque palace that dates to 1900 was completed in just over three months,…
Party to Help Revive Garment District Park
By Kevin Collison The developer of the Carnival building hopes a party it’s helping host this Wednesday (Oct. 12) will spur interest in a downtown pocket park that’s become threadbare after losing its major corporate supporter. The “Garment District Grooves” party is being held at what’s known as the Garment District Park. It is co-sponsored…
Big Waldo Apartment Project Proposed, Revives Streetcar Extension Idea
By Kevin Collison A 300-unit apartment project that would transform the scale and nature of the Waldo entertainment area received preliminary support from a transit-oriented development agency Wednesday. EPC Real Estate Group is cooperating with the Lewellen family, the owner of The Well at 7421 Broadway, on the $90 million plan called Waldo74Broadway. The proposal…
Port KC Takes New Role Steering $160M South Loop Link Park Plan
By Kevin Collison Planning for the proposed South Loop Link, an ambitious proposal to deck four blocks of the disruptive downtown freeway with a park, is taking a big step forward with Port KC assuming a lead role in implementing the project. The public agency has issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) to hire a…