CitySceneKC

UMKC Downtown Arts Campus Funding to be Considered by Governor in Mid-May

By Kevin Collison State funding for the planned downtown Conservatory of Dance and Music, called the “largest project in UMKC history,” is expected to be considered by Gov. Eric Greitens after lawmakers adjourn May 12. “I’m not quite ready to uncork the champagne until after the governor’s signature,” Bill Dietrich, president and CEO of the…

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KC Streetcar Celebrates 2 Millionth Rider and First Birthday This Saturday

By Kevin Collison The Kansas City streetcar celebrates its first birthday Saturday at Union Station and is expected to host its two-millionth rider either late today or tomorrow. Supporters hope the success of the 2.2-mile starter line linking the River Market and Crown Center boosts the effort now underway to extend the line down Main…

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Design for New Downtown YMCA Would Keep Lyric Facade

By Kevin Collison Backers of a planned Downtown YMCA that would incorporate the facade of the historic Lyric Theater as part of the $30 million project hope to wrap up fundraising this summer. David Byrd, CEO of the YMCA, told the Downtown Council board Thursday that $21 million has been raised and anticipated the remaining…

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Downtown KC Convention Hotel Design Connects Downtown with Crossroads

By Kevin Collison The planned $310 million convention hotel project is expected to create a better pedestrian connection between major downtown destinations as well as provide dramatic views for its guests, its architect says. “We believe that this building should be designed for the residents of Kansas City,” architect Bob Neal of Atlanta-based Cooper Carry…

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UMKC Downtown Arts Campus Receives Raves from Missouri Lawmakers

By Kevin Collison The planned UMKC Downtown Conservatory will offer students sweeping views of downtown Kansas City[/caption]After hitting a high note last month with overwhelming approval in the Missouri House, the proposed University of Missouri-Kansas City downtown arts campus is scheduled to debut next week before a tougher audience, the Missouri Senate. The $96 million…

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Kemper Arena Redevelopment at Risk as Missouri Reviews Historic Tax Credit Program

By Kevin Collison The Missouri historic tax credit program, a development tool that’s revived scores of landmark buildings, is facing its most serious challenge in years, putting such major projects as the redevelopment of Kemper Arena in jeopardy. “After several years of raising alarms and nothing coming to pass, this year the tenor has really…

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Plan Calls for Historic Kansas City Star Building to be Sold and Redeveloped

By Kevin Collison The owner of the Kansas City Star has a tentative agreement to sell the newspaper’s headquarters at 1729 Grand Blvd., a downtown landmark since 1913 where a young Ernest Hemingway once reported. McClatch Corp., the owner of The Star, has reached a “handshake agreement” with a developer who wants to convert the…

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Crossroads Academy Plans Downtown Kansas City High School, Will Be Housed Temporarily in Commerce Tower

By Kevin Collison (Update: Park University announced May 25 it will temporarily house students for the planned Crossroads Academy high school at its downtown campus in the former Commerce Tower building) Four years after opening a school for 190 elementary students in a former office building on Central Street, Crossroads Academy is planning to open…

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