CitySceneKC
Crossroads Pursues Improvement District to Improve Security, Landscaping
By Kevin Collison The Crossroads Community Association has launched a long-anticipated drive to establish a community improvement district that’s intended to increase security, improve landscaping and reduce trash and graffiti in the popular downtown neighborhood. The effort comes after many years of spirited debate and signals how the district of older industrial buildings has evolved…
Lux’s Big Downtown Apartment-Hotel Tower Seeks $34.1M in Incentives
By Kevin Collison Lux Living’s big apartment and hotel proposal at 14th and Wyandotte now has a price tag and public ask. The 27-story tower would cost an estimate $194.5 million and is seeking a $34.1 million tax incentive package. It includes asking for a 20-year property tax reduction, according to documents filed with a…
Plaza Area Council Now Official, Plans to Boost District’s Next Century
(Editor’s note: This article originally was published Jan. 11, 2023) By Kevin Collison A new civic effort to shepherd the Country Club Plaza and environs into its second 100 years has organized as a nonprofit, and plans to hire staff and begin pursuing its goals by the end of the year. What’s called the Plaza…
City Manager Outlines Big Downtown Agenda at Three Light Event
(Editor’s note: This article originally was published March 22, 2023) By Kevin Collison They were topping off the $140 million Three Light project Tuesday, but big downtown investments are far from over, according to City Manager Brian Platt. In a wide-ranging interview following the ceremony for the 26-story apartment project scheduled to open in September,…
Wolfepack BBQ Sets Up Smoker in Columbus Park
(Editor’s note: This article originally was published Jan. 12, 2023) By Kevin Collison A well-known Columbus Park landmark is reopening this spring as Wolfepack BBQ and its owners first order of business is soothing the neighborhood indigestion caused by its previous operator. “We want to have a neighborhood welcoming day to start things off on…
Late Summer Opening Anticipated for Strang Food Hall at Plaza
(Editor’s note: This article originally was published March 20, 2023) By Kevin Collison The new Strang Chef Collective food hall planned for the Cascade Hotel being just north of the Country Club Plaza is considered by its operator a “bullish” vote of confidence in the venerable shopping district. “We’ve always targeted the Plaza as an…
Chef Brings 40-Years of Restaurant Seasoning to Union On The Hill
(Editor’s note: This article originally was published March 16, 2023) By Kevin Collison George Atsangbe has been corporate chef at some of the better known names in the local restaurant world including Houlihan’s and Bread and Butter Concepts for 40 years. So the native of Nigeria knew exactly what he wanted to do when he…
Waterbird Coffee Pours in Heart of Government District
(Editor’s note: This article originally was published March 14, 2023) By Kevin Collison A new coffee shop has found a nest in the middle of the government district at 12th and McGee, providing a caffeine jolt to help boost public employees–and other customers– through their day. Waterbird Coffee set up shop in a long vacant…
Wellness Center Planned for Former Wendell Phillips School Near 18th & Vine
(Editor’s note: This article originally was published March 13, 2023) By Kevin Collison The former Wendell Phillips school near the 18th & Vine District is slated to become a community wellness center serving the neighborhood and a new affordable housing project planned across the street. Urban Catalyst Inc. has acquired the school at 24th and…
Crossroads Food Stop Offers World Cuisine–To Go
(Editor’s note: This article originally was published March 10, 2023) By Kevin Collison There’s an international food festival occurring in a quiet corner of the East Crossroads several blocks removed from the microbrewery scene and if it’s hard to find, don’t worry, it’s already well known to Door Dash and Uber Eats drivers. The Crossroads…