CitySceneKC
New Midtown Leader Plans to Add Livability and Placemaking to Streetcar Expansion
By Kevin Collison Midtown KC Now, formerly MainCor, has chosen Kevin Klinkenberg as its new executive director, succeeding its longtime, respected leader Diane Burnette who left recently to take a job with the Urban Land Institute in Washington D.C. Klinkenberg brings a strong background in architecture and planning to his new job, and his latest…
Last Minute Sweetener Wins Council Approval for Waddell & Reed Downtown Headquarters
By Kevin Collison After another last minute incentive compromise accompanied by the blessing of the school district, the Kansas City Council voted 8-4 Thursday to approve a plan that will bring the headquarters of Waddell & Reed and 1,000 well-paid employees to downtown. “What we wanted to do is, we have a developer, we have…
Boulevardia Says Bye to Bottoms, Cruising to Crown Center Next June
By Kevin Collison Six years after launching at a hot, dusty parking lot in the West Bottoms, Boulevardia is moving up to Crown Center next June, occupying the same user-friendly territory that’s made Irish Fest a major entertainment event. Organizers say the decision to relocate the street festival that’s become a regular Father’s Day weekend…
Sponsored Post: Sequence Climb Celebrates First Year Hosting Midwest Youth Competition
The following article was paid for by Sequence Climb: After opening less than a year ago at 1710 Washington, Sequence Climb is on the national map. Last weekend, more than 300 young people ages eight- through 19 from an eight-state region found their way to Sequence along with their families to compete in the Midwest…
The Pairing Provides Cozy Place for Wine and Whiling in East Crossroads
By Kevin Collison The Pairing Wine & Grocer has opened in the East Crossroads, and proprietor Mat “Slim” Adkins wants the combination wine bar, specialty grocer and liquor store to become a neighborhood hangout. “We’re still very much a liquor store, but also want it to be a fun place where you can come in…
Planned Convention Center Garage Has Potential Partner–Kansas City Southern
By Kevin Collison A growing Kansas City Southern wants to explore a potential partnership with the city developing property next door slated for a proposed convention center garage. Last week, the City Council agreed to purchase the so-called Carpenter site at 1200 Broadway for a planned garage. The decision was supported by a top railroad…
Council Abruptly Revises $140M Waddell & Reed Deal, Delays Vote
By Kevin Collison The Kansas City Council abruptly changed the terms of the $140 million Waddell & Reed headquarters development deal Thursday, injecting last-minute uncertainty to a project that’s expected to bring 1,000 well-paid jobs to downtown. In a substitute amendment introduced during the Council meeting, a 15-year, 75 percent property tax abatement that was…
WyCo Considers $2M Share in West Bottoms Bridge Entertainment/Trail Project
By Kevin Collison It’s show me the money time for an ambitious proposal to convert the old Rock Island Railroad Bridge over the Kaw River into a West Bottoms recreation and entertainment destination. Flying Truss LLC, the developer behind the concept, has reached a tentative agreement with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County for $2…
Public Garage Plan Revived at 12th & Broadway, Land Deal Back Before Council
(Updated: The City Council Finance Committee endorsed the purchase agreement for the proposed garage site at its meeting today (Dec. 11) and the matter is scheduled to be considered by the full Council tomorrow) By Kevin Collison A plan to build a city parking garage at 12th and Broadway that was narrowly defeated last month…
Riverfront Affordable Housing Plan Denied Tax Credits, Lack of Mayoral Support Cited
By Kevin Collison A $15 million affordable apartment development proposed for the riverfront is floundering after being rejected for federal low-income tax credits, partly because it lacked the mayor’s support, according to Port KC officials. The 75-unit Bridgeside Lofts project proposed by Prairie Fire Development is planned for a site near Berkley Riverfront Park controlled…