CitySceneKC
Crossroads Sculptor Offers Healing Idea for Former Confederate Memorial Site
By Kevin Collison Sculptor Spencer Schubert has his works prominently displayed across the region from Manhattan to Jefferson City, and now wants to do something closer to home as a healing gesture for his community. He’s proposing a soaring sculpture of two hands grasping a knotted rope as a sign of unity to replace a…
Kansas City Streetcar Project Wins Global Recognition, Passes 3 Million Rider Mark
By Kevin Collison The Kansas City streetcar project can add some international honors to the national recognition its received since opening in May 2016. During the same month the streetcar broke 3 million passengers, the streetcar was honored as Project of the Year in the over $50 million category at the 2017 Global Light Rail…
Transit Agency Pursuing Development in Big Way, Offering Strategic Block on 18th Street Near Crossroads, 18th & Vine
By Kevin Collison An entire city block along the strategic 18th Street corridor between the Crossroads and 18th & Vine Jazz District will be offered soon for development by the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. The block on the north side of 18th between Troost and Forest is currently a greenfield and is expected to…
The Abbott Promises Luxury Event Space in East Crossroads
By Kevin Collison The Abbott, the newest event space coming to the East Crossroads, is a family affair, thus the name. Matt Abbott of Abbott Properties and his wife Emily are behind the $3 million project, which is converting a former industrial building at 1901 Cherry St. into what’s being described as a large, luxury…
Downtown Council Names 2017 Urban Heroes, Elects New Chairman
The Downtown Council of Kansas City has elected attorney Nate Orr, a partner at the Spencer Fane law firm, to be its new chairman for the upcoming year. Orr also is co-chair along with outgoing chairwoman Cathy Smith, vice president of corporate planning at Faultless Starch/Bon Ami, of the organization’s upcoming annual luncheon . The…
Work Underway on $68 Million Gallerie Project Near Crown Center, First Apartments Ready Next Summer
By Kevin Collison A previous dead zone of parking lots south of Crown Center is fast being transformed into a new neighborhood that will feature more than 400 apartments and townhouses called Gallerie. Construction is well underway on the $68 million first phase of the primarily residential project being done by Milhaus, an Indianapolis developer…
New Buck O’Neil Bridge Repair Plan Keeps Span Open to Northbound Traffic, Buys Time for Long-Term Solution
By Kevin Collison In a big breakthrough for downtown commuters, state highway and city officials have come up with an interim repair plan that avoids closing the Buck O’Neil Bridge entirely and buys time to come up with a hoped-for, permanent replacement. The proposal would address critical repair needs to the bridge between downtown and…
Hotel Indigo Plans to Offer Creative Stay at Crossroads Arts District Location
By Kevin Collison Work on the $13 million Hotel Indigo project at 2020 Grand Blvd. is well underway with the goal of it being a unique place to stay fitting with its Crossroads Arts District location. “I don’t want it to be in the Crossroads and just be a ‘Hampton Inn,’” said developer Matt Abbott….
Historic Crossroads Building at 1520 Main to be Razed for Parking and Future Development Site
By Kevin Collison A historic building at 1520 Main St. is slated to be demolished soon to make way for interim parking and eventual use as a development site for a possible residential tower. Robb Heineman, CEO of FanThreeSixty, said his firm wants to eventually develop the entire property occupied by the 1520 Main building…
Downtown Council Picks Hall Family for Annual Phil Kirk Award
The Hall family is being recognized by the Downtown Council for its commitment to downtown Kansas City through Hallmark Cards and Crown Center. The Hall family and Hallmark will be receiving the 2017 J. Phillip Kirk Jr. Award at the Downtown Council’s annual luncheon on Jan. 26. The award honors leaders who’s vision and commitment…