CitySceneKC
Global Table Fundraiser Includes Two City Market Restaurants
Two City Market restaurants, the Blue Nile and The Bite, are included in this year’s annual Global Table event to spotlight immigrant contributions to Kansas City and raise funds for the Jewish Vocational Service. Each Monday in May, the JVS has organized a carryout cuisine event at four restaurants owned by immigrants. This is the…
Maxus Files Apartment Proposals Ahead of Stricter Incentive Policies
By Kevin Collison A proposal to convert the former AT&T building at 500 E. Eighth St. into a 283-unit apartment project specializing in work-live space has been filed by Maxus Properties with the a city development agency. Maxus acquired the 1973 office tower three years ago and originally intended to upgrade it for modern office…
New Kirk Family YMCA ‘Flagship’ for Metro Association
By Kevin Collison Downtown’s new “flagship” YMCA is ready for action, but unless you’re a kid, you won’t be swimming, working out, playing basketball or participating in a myriad of other healthy activities until later this year. That’s because the Y leadership is doing a gradual roll out of their new $35 million Kirk Family…
Rau Construction Relocating HQ to West Bottoms from OP
By Kevin Collison Rau Construction is relocating its headquarters from Overland Park to the West Bottoms, returning to its Kansas City roots where the family-owned firm was founded in 1905 after migrating from Germany. “We’re high on the West Bottoms,” said Dan Meyer, Rau president. “We think it’s the new up and coming area, and…
Office Tower Proposed at New 27th and Main Streetcar Stop
By Kevin Collison An $83.4 million office tower is in the works for vacant property owned by Crown Center near the planned 27th and Main streetcar stop. A preliminary plan for what appears to be a 12- to 14-story tower on a site northeast of 27th and Main has been filed with the Kansas City…
Baltimore Demo Leaves Question, What’s Next?
By Kevin Collison A small commercial structure at 1626 Baltimore owned by philanthropist Shirley Helzberg has been razed and a building she owns next door is slated to be demolished soon, leaving Crossroads neighbors curious about her future plans. The 14,000 square-foot vacant building at 1626 Baltimore was torn down recently. Pete Lacy, Helzberg’s real…
Mark Twain Tower Developer Expects to Resume Work Soon
By Kevin Collison The Washington D.C. developer of the historic Mark Twain Tower expects to resume work soon renovating the building into 222 apartments after a lengthy delay caused in part by the Covid pandemic. Phil Aftuck of The Bernstein Cos. said his firm is close to finalizing financing for the $60 million redevelopment which…
Streetcar Riverfront Run Approved, Early 2024 Service
By Kevin Collison Streetcar service from Union Station to Berkley Riverfront Park is expected to be running by early 2024 following the unanimous approval by the Port KC board of an agreement with the KC Streetcar Authority and the KCATA Monday. The half-mile, $20.2 million extension from the current north terminus in the River Market…
Le Chronic Cafe Serves Aunt Kathy’s Eclairs, Comfort Food
By Kevin Collison In opening Le Chronic Cafe at the City Market, chef Bryan Merker is fulfilling a promise he made to his Aunt Kathy years ago. As a kid in Kansas City, he always enjoyed the wonderful eclairs his aunt prepared. “My aunt was an amazing baker,” Merker recalled. “She always made eclairs so…
Advisory Group Endorses 12-Story Apartment Tower for River Market
By Kevin Collison A proposal to build a 12-story, 300-unit apartment tower on a parking lot immediately west of the City Market has been endorsed by a review committee reporting to Port KC. The $75 million plan submitted by Flaherty & Collins of Indianapolis was recommended over a competing proposal from RM Housing, a local…