CitySceneKC
Unnamed Copaken Apartment Tower
18th and Walnut | 132 apartments in 14 story building; 128 parking stalls, 1st floor retail | Cost: $40 to 50 million | Architect: Burns & McDonnell | Construction begins late 2018
Looking Up in the Crossroads, a Dramatic 14-Story Apartment Proposal
By Kevin Collison Copaken Brooks is proposing a 14-story apartment tower at 18th and Walnut, a striking addition to the skyline that would replace a crumbling Crossroads parking lot with 132 residences. The $40- to $50 million project would be the second residential tower developed by the firm in the Crossroads Arts District, the other…
UMKC Seeks Conservatory Proposals, Potential Downtown Site Survives Close Call
By Kevin Collison UMKC officially has restarted its pursuit of a new combined Conservatory of Music and Dance and Theater Department facility, and has set a July 24 deadline for responses to what’s now described as a $100 million project. The university released what’s called a request for interest (RFI) this week, and in an…
Voters Overwhelming Approve Local Funding to Extend Streetcar to UMKC, Next Stop Washington
By Kim Mueller Kansas City voters living within the Main Street Transportation Development District (TDD) overwhelming approved local funding needed to extend the streetcar route 3.5 miles from Union Station to UMKC. “It’s an exciting day to have both questions pass by such large margins,” Jared Campbell, Downtown Neighborhood Association president, said Wednesday. “It just…
Downtown CVS Reopens After Street-Friendly Remodeling
The CVS store in downtown Kansas City reopened this week after a three-month remodeling project and its new, more street-friendly look is getting great early reviews. Gone are the shrink-wrap advertisements that covered the windows and made it uninviting to passersby. The storefront is now transparent with a new layout inside as well. “I think…
City Club Apartments Groundbreaking Delayed Until End of Summer
By Kevin Collison A groundbreaking for the $76.8 million City Club Apartment project at 20th and Main has been pushed back to the end of summer although environmental work at the site is expected to begin soon. Work on the 283-unit apartment project had been expected to begin this month, but a spokesman said the…
Golden Ox Glows Again in West Bottoms
By Kevin Collison The famed Golden Ox, one of Kansas City’s legacy restaurants, has returned to the West Bottoms in all its stockyards-steeped glory, ready for a new generation of steak eaters. “Honestly and candidly, hundreds of people have asked me when the Golden Ox was going to open,” said Bill Haw Sr., the owner…
Summer Movies and Music Under the Downtown Stars
By Kim Mueller Get your flick fix this summer as free movies begin playing under the stars on Fridays at City Market, Crown Center and beginning tonight at the Central Library. “It’s a great free date night if you’re willing to sweat,” said Sue Patterson, director of marketing and events at City Market where one…
Mayor Applauds Streetcar Extension Plan, ‘Prays’ Washington Favors Funding Request
By Kevin Collison The proposed streetcar extension from downtown to UMKC got strong backing from Mayor Sly James Wednesday, but he’s skeptical about its short-term prospects for obtaining full federal funding. “I’m very bullish on the streetcar and its expansion, and what it can do,” the mayor told an audience attending a panel discussion hosted…
Songbird Cafe Spread its Wings on Grand to Offer Lunch and Dinner
By Kevin Collison After a soft opening last August, the Songbird Cafe at 1529 Grand celebrated its grand opening recently, taking flight with a full lunch and supper menu targeted to health-conscious diners. The cafe is a family affair, the creation of Chris Geil, a former Grandview special education coordinator, his wife Amy, son Wesley…