Civic Affairs
Visit KC Reports Big Uptick in Bookings at Bartle Hall
By Kevin Collison Bookings at Bartle Hall are up 56 percent from the previous year, an encouraging trend as downtown prepares to check in more than 2,400 new hotel rooms over the next couple years. At its annual Tourism Outlook 2019 meeting last week, Visit KC’s new president and CEO Jason Fulvi estimated the 295…
Plan Commission Rejects Plaza Bowl Height Restrictions, City Council Next Stop
Editor’s note: Despite the Plan Commission recommendation, the Kansas City Council voted unanimously to approve the Plaza Bowl mandatory height restrictions at its meeting Thursday, Feb.14.) By Kevin Collison A proposal to mandate height restrictions on development in the core of the Country Club Plaza, the so-called “Plaza Bowl” plan, was rejected unanimously Tuesday by the…
Keystone Innovation District Concept Taking Shape, Big Civic Endeavor at 18th and Troost
By Kevin Collison The Keystone Innovation District proposal took its first concrete step recently when backers signed a predevelopment agreement for the planned site of the $90 million-plus endeavor at 18th and Troost. A development entity established by J.E. Dunn Construction reached the agreement with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, which owns the block…
Loews Exec Calls for Decking South Loop at Downtown Council Event
By Kevin Collison Loews Hotel Chairman Jonathan Tisch strongly backed an ambitious plan to deck part of the South Loop where it slices through downtown at the annual luncheon of the Downtown Council Thursday. “When I think about a big idea, it’s right outside this convention center and that is a cap over the highway,”…
City Barrel to Washington: Free Beer
Kevin Collison When life hands you 500 gallons of IPA you can’t sell thanks to the sour mashup in Washington, what’s an aspiring Crossroads brewmeister to do? You tap that time-tested crowd pleaser, free beer. And while you’re at it, you offer a special invite to the party to all those furloughed federal employees sidelined…