CitySceneKC
Historic Boone Theater Renovation Progresses in 18th & Vine District
By Kevin Collison The renovation of the historic Boone Theater as an entertainment and media center in the heart of the 18th and Vine District took a big step forward recently with the approval a development agreement by the City Council. The Council approved an agreement that gives the Vine St. Collaborative 60 days to…
Conversion of Historic Ozark Building to Hotel Begins at Ninth and Grand
By Kevin Collison Preliminary demolition work has begun on converting the historic Ozark building at Ninth and Grand into a 249-room AC Hotels by Marriott with completion anticipated in about two years. “In terms of historic buildings, I think it’s in exceptional condition,” said Derek Alley, CEO of VCC construction, the contractor doing the project….
Cornucopia Brings Carnival, Fall Festivities This Weekend to Downtown
Grand Boulevard by the T-Mobile Center will become a carnival midway this weekend with a Ferris wheel and other rides as part of the Cornucopia festival being put on by the Power & Light District from today through Sunday. What the P&L District is describing as its signature fall festival was held for the first…
New Fidelity Security HQ Project Seeking $9M Tax Break
By Kevin Collison The developer of a proposed office tower at 27th and Main anticipates its request for a $9 million incentive package for the new headquarters of Fidelity Security Life Insurance will be in front of the City Council in mid-November. Attorney David Frantze said VanTrust Real estate, the developer, will be seeking a…
St. Louis Developer Pursuing $55M Riverfront Apartment Plan
By Kevin Collison A mid-rise apartment project is being pursued for the downtown riverfront by Lux Living, the St. Louis developer that’s also doing big residential projects in the Crossroads and Midtown areas. Vic Alston of Lux Living said his firm is negotiating with Port KC to build an approximately 250-unit, seven- to eight-story project…
Amazon Planning First Metro Retail Store at Country Club Plaza
By Kevin Collison The first Amazon retail outlet in Metro Kansas City is in the works for the Country Club Plaza, according to a permit application filed with the city last week. The online retail giant is planning to locate its store in the corner space formerly occupied by the Tesla car dealership at 450…
Cycle City Rolling Into River Market with Second Location
(Editor’s note: CityScene is taking some time off for a vacation, this article originally appeared on July 6.) By Kevin Collison Cycle City, a popular Parkville bicycle shop for 18 years, plans to open a second location in the River Market this October in the historic Water Building at 201 Main St. Owner Joe Fox…
RiNo Charges Crossroads, Denver Developer Partnering on Gastro Pub and Pool Hall
(Editor’s note: CityScene is taking some time off for a vacation, this article originally appeared on July 9.) By Kevin Collison A Denver developer has found his new ‘RiNo’ in the Crossroads, planning a pool hall and gastro pub at 16th and Grand along with revamping the former Architectural Salvage building. “I’ve developed a single…
UMKC Proposing Student Housing, Retail by Planned Streetcar Terminus
(Editor’s note: CityScene is taking some time off for a vacation, this article originally appeared on June 30.) By Kevin Collison A new UMKC master plan that calls for developing housing for 500 students along with retail space at the terminus of the planned streetcar route has been approved by the University of Missouri Board…
North Loop Among ‘Freeways without Futures’ in New National Report
(Editor’s note: CityScene is taking some time off for a vacation, this article originally appeared on June 2.) By Kevin Collison The downtown North Loop is among 15 freeways throughout the country that should be removed and their tracks revitalized according to a new report by a national non-profit organization that champions “walkable urbanism.” The “Freeways…