Downtown Living
Columbus Park Ponders Future for Empty Six-Acres
By Kevin Collison Columbus Park, a downtown neighborhood that’s experienced its share of urban challenges, has a six-acre opportunity for redevelopment, but right now, nobody is quite sure what to do with it. “The fact is, we don’t know what we want because we don’t know what we’re able to do,” said Kate Barsotti, president…
City Agrees on Framework of $400M West Bottoms Redevelopment Plan
By Kevin Collison Plans for an estimated $400 million, phased redevelopment plan in the West Bottoms that would ultimately add 1,250 apartments has taken another step forward with the approval of a predevelopment agreement by the City Council. The agreement calls for a partnership where the city rebuilds the crumbling streets, sidewalks, sewers and other…
Carnival Loft Project to Begin Construction This Spring
By Kevin Collison The renovation of the historic Carnival building at 802 Broadway into 39 loft apartments is expected to begin in late March after the project was approved for tax incentives Monday by a city development agency. The developer, Exact 802 LLC was approved for 75 percent, 10-year property tax reduction by the Land…
Plan Calls for Historic River Market Building to be Restored for Gym
By Kevin Collison A derelict historic building in the River Market at 407 Grand is slated to be restored to its original appearance as the new home of TheGymKC. TheGymKC, which has operated in the River Market at 200 Wyandotte, needs to relocate to make way for a redevelopment plan, according to the project application…
Women’s Recovery Program Plans Affordable Housing Near Troost
A program that provides affordable housing to women recovering from substance abuse and their children intends to build a 37-unit development at 28th and Tracy. Amethyst Place, which currently operates a similar-size development and 27th and Troost, is planning the $15.4 million project that’s expected to begin construction this spring and be completed by late…
Historic Scarritt and Crossroads Projects Seek Incentives from Port KC
By Kevin Collison Two proposed downtown apartment developments totaling 234 units–one old, one new–are seeking tax incentives from Port KC. A development entity called Axis KC LLC is applying for a $47 million bond to help finance the redevelopment of the historic Scarritt office tower at 818 Grand and its adjoining Arcade into 126 apartments…
Apartment Tower with Affordable Units Proposed for Crossroads
By Kevin Collison Copaken Brooks is pursuing a 14-story apartment project at 1818 Main that is expected to include affordable units, according to a neighbor briefed on the plan. The proposed development, which would be located on the streetcar line, was mentioned in a blog post in early October by Jon Copaken, principal with the…
Catholic Diocese Serves Controversy with Plan to Move Homeless Breakfast Program
By Kevin Collison A storm is brewing over the Catholic Diocese’s desire to relocate its breakfast ministry for the homeless to its Chancery building in the heart of the Library District, a downtown area with hundreds of apartments and many small businesses. A spokesperson for the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph said the move…
Developer Pursuing 180-Unit Apartment Project in East Crossroads
By Kevin Collison The city is in preliminary negotiations with a developer who wants to build a 180-unit apartment project on public property in the East Crossroads that would include 36 affordable apartments. Grayson Capital is pursuing the project at 1531 Holmes. The site is currently occupied by a city-owned building. The firm was selected…
Port KC Sticks with Familiar Firm to Continue South Loop Link Planning
By Kevin Collison Port KC is sticking with a familiar firm to continue planning the proposed South Loop Link, choosing HNTB to conduct the environmental and preliminary engineering work for the $160 million endeavor. Kansas City-based HNTB has been actively engaged with the concept of decking the I-670 freeway with a four-block park for more…