CitySceneKC
Downtown Council Holiday Drive Collects Clothing and Toys for Homeless Families
The Downtown Council of Kansas City is rolling out the holiday barrels again to collect coats, clothing and toys for homeless families who use the services of ReStart. Sean O’Byrne, vice president of the downtown owners and property association, said this is the 15th year the council has collected donations for the individuals and families…
Children’s Mercy Research Tower
23rd St. and Gillham Rd. | 375,000 square foot, nine-story research building | Cost: $200 million | Architect: BSA LifeStructures | Contractor: McCownGordon | Completion early 2020
Children’s Mercy Hospital Plans Nine-Story Research Tower on Hospital Hill
By Kevin Collison Children’s Mercy Hospital is planning a nine-story research tower at its Hospital Hill campus, continuing a boom of healthcare-related construction in that area. The City Planning Commission is scheduled to review the plan for the 400,000 square-foot building at when it meets Wednesday morning. The building is proposed for a 10-acre site…
Quality Hill Playhouse Opens ‘The Q,’ Adds Full Bar and Quadruples Lobby
By Kevin Collison The Quality Hill Playhouse has expanded into long-dormant space at 10th and Central streets, dramatically expanding the size of its lobby and adding a full-service bar for patrons. Rick Truman, managing director, said the $600,000 expansion project called “The Q” opened the day after Thanksgiving in time for the downtown musical theater’s…
Day Spa and Physical Therapy Clinic Coming to ‘Baltimore Square’ District
A new day spa and physical therapy clinic are opening in what’s being branded the “Baltimore Square” district, a group of historic buildings in the Ninth and Baltimore area owned by Denver developer Craig Slawson. The Plaza West Spa is planning to open at the former Kansas City Club at 918 Baltimore and SERC Physical…
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….
Downtown Dazzle Heats Up in December with Urban Homes Tour and Streetcar Concerts
Anyone interested in checking out the downtown housing market will have an opportunity Dec. 9 as part of the ongoing Downtown Dazzle holiday festivities. The free Urban Homes Tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 20 residential buildings will be open for touring throughout greater downtown from Union Hill to the…
Critical Convention Hotel Agreements Before Development Agency, Includes $59.7 Million Private Investment
By Kevin Collison The long-awaited, 800-room downtown convention hotel is poised to begin construction in January if, as expected, the key city development agency handling its financing and property issues approves the deal Wednesday. The Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority board is scheduled to consider the final financing and leasing agreements with KC Hotel Venture…
Developer May Shift Affordable Apartment Project Threatened by State Tax Credit Cut to East Village
By Kevin Collison Developer Kelley Hrabe is scrambling to salvage his plan to build 400 affordable apartments downtown following a sudden shift in state policy and plans to pitch his project for the long-dormant East Village redevelopment area. Hrabe of Prairie Fire Development was about to announce his residential project at another downtown location when…
Upcoming ‘Art of the Brick’ LEGO Show at Union Station Invites Ideas for Kansas City Creation
The ‘Art of the Brick,’ described as the first major museum exhibition using LEGO bricks to create art, is coming to Union Station in January and the artist is inviting ideas for a special Kansas City-themed creation. Artist Nathan Sawaya has received national recognition for his LEGO creations that include original pieces and versions of…