Kevin Collison
Publisher
Flatland contributor Kevin Collison is the founder of CityScene KC, an online source for downtown news and issues.
Stories by Kevin Collison
Greater Downtown Enters New Year Ready for Work(ers)
By Kevin Collison Greater downtown enters 2020 poised to tackle a key ingredient missing from an otherwise successful previous decade when thousands of residents, dozens of street-level businesses, and the streetcar line were added to the mix. That lagging factor has been jobs. If all goes according to already approved plans, by this summer there…
Multi-Phase Freighthouse District Redevelopment Plan to Kick Off in Early 2020
By Kevin Collison Developer Vince Bryant intends to launch his ambitious redevelopment plan for the Freight House District by renovating the former Superior Moving & Storage buildings at 2020 Walnut into office space. Bryant also is planning a separate project, called “Podium on Main” that calls for building 200,000 square feet of new office space…
‘Unique’ Mixed-Use Tower Proposed for 14th and Wyandotte
(UPDATED Jan. 20, 2021. The property at the northeast corner of 14th and Wyandotte, 106 W. 14th St. and 1319 Wyandotte, is back on the market with an asking price of $7.1 million. The listing is being handled by Block & Co. and the land is described as being available for a potential mixed-used development….
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…