Economic Opportunity
Opportunity Zones: Hopes and Dreams Don’t Always Become Realities
A Flatland examination of Opportunity Zones has revealed a tale of confusion, ambivalence, bitterness — and yes, still hope — for a program designed to help America’s economically distressed communities.
‘I’m Counting on It’: Many College Students Left Out of Stimulus Checks
In a rush to get the big economic relief package out, some people fell through the cracks. Some college students aren’t eligible and won’t get the $1,200 check. Flatland talked to two of these students.
Big Apartment Project Proposed Near Plaza at 48th and Belleview
(Updated July 7, 2020. The developer of the proposed Dylan apartment project, Action Pact Design Group, has gone out of contract for the property and the development site is back on the market for sale. Mike Napovanice of Orion Property Group said interest has been expressed by several potential buyers, all of whom would continue…
Big Apartment Project Proposed Near West End of Country Club Plaza
An eight-story apartment project that would replace what’s currently a half-acre stretch of empty lots on the east side of Belleview Avenue has been submitted to the City Plan Commission for review.
Barney Allis Plaza Rebuild Estimate $61.7M, Anticipated Completion Fall 2022
By Kevin Collison The city review for rebuilding Barney Allis Plaza and its underground garage tentatively has chosen a $61.7 million option that would lower the plaza to street level and build a 400-space garage beneath it. William Crandall of CBC Real Estate Group, the managing principal hired by the city for the proposed reconstruction,…
Mayor Wants Barney Allis Plaza to Be Downtown ‘Focal Point’
By Kevin Collison City officials want a solid proposal to revive the forlorn Barney Allis Plaza and its crumbling garage by this summer, saying the prominent public space should become the “coolest backyard ever.” At a public presentation at Bartle Hall last week where people were invited to offer ideas about the future of the…
Big Troost Residential Project Wins Key Committee Approval
(Feb. 7 Editor’s note: the City Council unanimously approved the Armour Corner project Thursday, construction is expected to begin in June.) By Kevin Collison An ambitious plan five years in the making to transform the moribund corners of Troost and Armour into a 340-unit, mid-rise apartment development won a key endorsement Wednesday from a City…
Goodwill Selling Strategic East Crossroads Property on 18th Street
By Kevin Collison Goodwill is selling its former office, training and warehouse facility at 18th and Campbell, opening a strategic redevelopment opportunity between the East Crossroads and 18th & Vine Jazz District. The agency board has decided to sell the building its occupied for 80 years after recently relocating to new space nearby at 800…
‘Best-in-Class’ Entertainment Venue Planned for Plaza’s Jack Henry
(Editor’s note: Denver-based Punch Bowl Social announced in November 2019 it would be the tenant for this project) By Kevin Collison The vacant Jack Henry building at 47th and Jefferson is slated for a $44 million renovation to ready it for a hot entertainment tenant that would be new to the Kansas City market, according…
Clubhouse Experience to Tee Off at Wallstreet Tower Plaza in September
By Kevin Collison A new “e-tainment” concept called The Clubhouse Experience featuring Topgolf Swing Suites, shuffleboard courts and bistro dining is scheduled to open next month at the WallStreet Tower condo building. The entertainment and food and beverage concept is planned for the sunken plaza level of the WallStreet, a former 1970s office tower at…