CitySceneKC
Manor Records Spinning to West Bottoms in October
By Kevin Collison Shaun Crowley’s effort to help promote the local live music scene is landing in the West Bottoms where he plans to open a new Manor Records shop this October. The new Manor Records is planned for the basement of what’s called the 12th Street Post building at 1501 W. 12th St. It’s…
Mayor Backs Group Pushing for a ‘Pedestrianized Plaza’
By Kevin Collison A new group with the mayor’s ear is pushing to convert some Country Club Plaza streets to pedestrian use, the latest expression of public concern over the direction of the venerable civic landmark. The loose-knit group of civic-minded, mostly younger adults call themselves Urban Lab KC. A conceptual rendering it posted on…
Port KC Supports Billion-Dollar Project List From River to Waldo
By Kevin Collison Port KC growing influence as an economic development agency was on full display Monday with the board either approving or reviewing incentives for more than $1 billion in projects from the riverfront to Waldo. Top of the list was unanimous approval to issue $800 million in revenue bonds along with accompanying incentives…
Dave’s Hot Chicken Bringing More Heat to Westport
Nashville-style hot chicken is coming to Westport in October by way of Los Angeles. Dave’s Hot Chicken is expecting to open its second metro KC outlet in commercial space at the southwest corner of the Westley on Broadway apartment development at Broadway and Westport Road. The fast-growing franchise, which likes to keep its menu simple,…
Royals Unveil Ballpark Development Concepts for Downtown and North KC
By Kevin Collison When it comes to designing a new Royals ballpark district in downtown Kansas City or North Kansas City, both have two things in common, the ballpark itself would hold 38,000 fans and be oriented south-southeast. After that, there are sprawling differences in how the surrounding ballpark developments would unfold, according to the…
Cordish Dipping Its Development Toe in Riverfront
By Kevin Collison Cordish, a major player in the heart of downtown for 20 years, is dipping its toe in the riverfront, responding to a Port KC development solicitation that calls for a 1,000-space garage and combination of residential, retail and/or office space. The Baltimore-based developer, who’s portfolio includes the Power & Light District, and…
Artist Studios, Gallery Space Planned for Historic West Bottoms Warehouse
By Kevin Collison A historic West Bottoms building at 1001 W. Eighth St. is slated to be renovated as a gallery and artist studio space by a pair of artists themselves, one with deep family ties to the area. The $700,000 project is being pursued by Geoff and Cathy Beaham Smith. Her family operated the…
Historic Troost Safeway Slated to be Renovated for Small Businesses
By Kevin Collison A decrepit building on Troost that was one of the first modern Safeway supermarkets built in the 1940s would be renovated into space for small businesses under a plan being pursued by veteran urban developer Butch Rigby. Rigby, who’s experience includes renovating several buildings along East 63rd Street between Oak and Troost,…
Weinberger Closing Gallery After Dozen Years As Crossroads Arts Fixture
By Kevin Collison The Weinberger Fine Art gallery is closing at the end of this month, ending more than a dozen years of proprietor Kim Weinberger being an important fixture in the Crossroads art gallery scene. Weinberger plans to continue representing her artists online, but said dwindling sales at the gallery at 114 Southwest Blvd….
Major Riverfront Project by KC Current Stadium Endorsed for Incentives
By Kevin Collison A $650 million, mixed-use development being hailed as the final step in a generational effort to redevelop the downtown riverfront received unanimous backing from the Port KC development committee Monday. The project is expected to include more than 1,000 apartments in several towers, 210,000 square-feet of office space and 53,000 square feet…