CitySceneKC
Casual Animal Now Crowling the East Crossroads
By Kevin Collison It took a bit longer than anticipated, but Casual Animal has joined the microbrewery herd in the East Crossroads and proprietor Kyle Gray hopes to add some Fort Collins friendliness to the neighborhood. “My inspiration came from living in Fort Collins,” he said. “It’s a small town, but there’s about 20 breweries….
East Crossroads Project Will Likely Include Over 300 Apartments
By Kevin Collison A development in the works for a two-block site in the East Crossroads will likely include more than 300 apartments and significant commercial space, according to an attorney for the developer, Indianapolis-based Milhaus. Attorney Chris Kline told the Planned Industrial Expansion Authority Thursday that details are still being prepared by Milhaus but…
Formal Groundbreaking for Convention Hotel Set for March 1, April 2020 Completion
By Kevin Collison A ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Loews Kansas City Convention Center Hotel is scheduled for March 1, and if all goes well, the “four-star plus” hotel should be completed by late April 2020. Attorney Mike Burke, who began championing the current project in 2011, told a monthly luncheon of the Downtowners the…
Folk Alliance Conference Serenades Downtown Through Sunday
By Kevin Collison One of North America’s biggest music events takes the stage today when downtown welcomes 3,000 musicians and industry professionals attending the Folk Alliance International annual conference. The event at the Westin Crown Center is an international affair, it drew participants from 27 countries last year, and is a chance for musicians to…
Signs Point to Softening Downtown Apartment Market
By Kevin Collison A several point drop in apartment occupancy rates indicate the downtown market may be cooling after the torrid pace of the past couple years, according to two real estate professionals well-versed in the area. John Bennett Jr. of KCLoftCentral said his suspicion the market was softening was reinforced when he noticed that…
Award-Winning Chef Michael Smith Opening New Crossroads Restaurant
By Kevin Collison Renowned Chef Michael Smith is celebrating his passion for Italian cuisine by opening a new restaurant in the Crossroads Arts District next door to his current namesake establishment. “Farina by Michael Smith” will be located at 19th and Baltimore in space formerly occupied by the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Smith said…
Historic Downtown Skyscraper for Sale, Missouri’s Tallest Residential Tower
By Kevin Collison The 909 Walnut building, the iconic, bunny-eared skyscraper that jumpstarted the 21st Century revival of the downtown housing market, is up for sale, asking price $49 million. The 35-story historic tower and Ninth and Walnut, the tallest residential building in the Midwest outside Chicago, was among the ranks of empty former office…
New Survey: Streetcar No Toy, It’s More Little Engine That Could
A new survey of streetcar ridership dispenses with one myth suggested by its critics–it’s not being used as a free amusement park ride. Ninety percent were onboard to reach a destination, and 50 percent planned to spend money when they got there, according to the study conducted last August through October. Only 3 percent of…
Sculpture Alley Adding Public Art Venue to Crossroads Neighborhood
By Kevin Collison Several Crossroads property owners are creating a new venue for public art in downtown, designating an alley that runs behind some prominent galleries as “Sculpture Alley” and commissioning works to display there. “It’s a good way in which neighbors can work together to use a public space for public art,” said Suzie…
City Market Begins Charging for Workday Parking March 1
By Kevin Collison The City Market will end free parking during work hours starting March 1, eliminating what had evolved to become an informal park-and-ride deal for the rest of downtown since the streetcar began rolling in May 2016. “What happened was downtown businesses figured out our parking was free, and people started letting go…