Development
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,…
Work Begins on 163-Unit Apartment Project at 31st and Gillham
By Kevin Collison The old Velvet Freeze building at 31st and Gillham Road is expected to demolished within the next few weeks to make way for a long-planned 163-unit apartment project, part of several big investments in the area. Developer Gary Hassenflu said asbestos removal has begun in the long vacant structure, which originally opened…
Proposed 14th and Wyandotte Tower Attracts Unique Hotel Interest
By Kevin Collison Lux Living’s 27-story proposal at 14th and Wyandotte began solely as an apartment project but shifted into adding 200 hotel rooms when the plan attracted strong interest from hoteliers not in the local market, according to its developer. “When we started the process, we were first looking at an apartment building,” said…
City Manager: Several More Cordish Towers in Works, Rail to Airport Too?
By Kevin Collison When it comes to ‘Lighting’ up downtown, Cordish and the city are far from over partnering on residential towers with four additional high-rise projects potentially in the works, according to City Manager Brian Platt. In a continuation of his recent interview with CityScene, Platt also said he’s pushing for a rail transit…
Jackson County Balks at Starting Royals Downtown Ballpark Talks
By Kevin Collison Last month, Royals owner John Sherman expressed frustration about “waiting on a few people” who didn’t share the team’s urgency about negotiating a downtown ballpark deal. Turns out, that negotiating ball has literally been in Jackson County’s court since at least mid-June, according to senior-level sources close to the concept with the…
Columbus Park Townhome Project to Test Demand for Upscale Housing
By Kevin Collison Work has begun on a residential project in the Columbus Park neighborhood that is expected to fetch sales prices in the mid-$600,000 range for three-bedroom townhomes. The project by DAK Pacific LLC is being built on a small triangular site at 1015 Pacific St. near a freeway ramp that’s been vacant at…
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…
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,…
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…