CitySceneKC
Proposed Greenline Trail Price Tag $80M, Plan to Seek Federal Funding
(Editor’s note: This article originally was posted July 12, 2022) By Kevin Collison The proposed Greenline recreational trail loop around downtown now has an estimated $80 million price tag, according to backers who plan to eventually seek federal funding for the project. The Greenline was initially pitched almost three years ago by developer Vince Bryant,…
Omaha Postcard: Big Downtown Park Overhaul Shows How to Attract People
(Editor’s note: This article originally was posted Sept. 21, 2022) By Kevin Collison We have one restless, striving neighbor to our north. In July, Omaha finished the first phase of a $325 million overhaul of its downtown and riverfront parks, and what’s occurring 200 miles upriver offers an important lesson for Kansas City. First a…
Big Waldo Apartment Project Proposed, Revives Streetcar Extension Idea
(Editor’s note: This article originally was published Sept. 15, 2022. The project remains active and is in the preliminary development phase.) 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…
Inclusive Crossroads Bar to Focus on Agave and Sugar Cane Spirits
By Kevin Collison For those who recall the “fern bar” trend of the Seventies and Eighties with their brass, backgammon and greenery, the new iteration that Bryan Arri is opening this Fall in the Crossroads will be both similar and very different. Whereas the original fern bars were intended to try to woo more women…
Plaza Restaurant Project Served Big Day, Expects Summer 2026 Opening
By Kevin Collison The Cocina47 restaurant project at the Plaza had a big day Wednesday, winning support from City Hall and Port KC, and converting a former staunch critic into an ally and indirect partner. The plan for a three-story building at 47th and Pennsylvania at the Country Club Plaza was unanimously endorsed by the…
Study Looks at Reconnecting Berkley Riverfront to Columbus Park
By Kevin Collison After being neglected for much of the 20th Century, the downtown riverfront is becoming a new community and now is looking for better ways to connect with nearby neighborhoods, including Columbus Park. A Connectivity Study is underway with the goal of identifying ways to overcome obstacles posed by the busy rail corridor…
KC Mac N’ Co. Opens at 1111 Main Building
KC Mac N’ Co. has graduated from The Parlor food hall and opened its first brick-and-mortar restaurant on the ground level of the 1111 Main building, formerly called Town Pavilion. The restaurant serves several artisan macaroni and cheese dishes including Honey Serrano Mac, Mac Waffle with fried chicken served over a mac waffle, and KC…
West Bottoms Revival Continues with Two More Historic Rehabs
By Kevin Collison The West Bottoms redevelopment surge continued last week with tax incentives approved for the renovation of two historic buildings, one a 77-unit apartment project, the other a small office plan. The MCM Company of Cleveland continued onto the next phase of its West Bottoms Flats redevelopment, winning incentive approval for its $31.8…
New Owners Plan to Raise BLVD Tavern Crossroads Profile
By Kevin Collison A young family with strong restaurant management experience want to raise the profile of BLVD Tavern, a Crossroads establishment that can be easily missed on busy Southwest Boulevard. Derich Carlson and Grace Ryan recently purchased the tavern which has been in business for seven years at 320 Southwest Boulevard. They want to…
Rock Island Bridge Project Gets $4M Boost from Kansas
By Kevin Collison Attendees at a ceremonial kickoff for the Rock Island Bridge project heard more than routine remarks from Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly this week, she also announced a $4 million state grant. “I have been following this project for a long time and was very excited when Lt. Gov. (David) Toland brought it…