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
Divided Council Approves Strata Office Plan, Work Starts This Spring
(Updated Nov. 15: The Kansas City Council approved city support for the 25-story Strata office plan at 13th and Main on a 7-4 vote Thursday. Supporters were led by Councilwoman Kathryn Shields who originally opposed a deal that called for significantly more city incentives, and led negotiations as chair of the Finance Committee to ultimately…
‘Rock the Red Kettle’ Kicks Off Downtown Holiday Season
By Kevin Collison The downtown holiday season kicks off Friday at the Power & Light District with the fourth annual Rock the Red Kettle, a concert benefiting the Salvation Army. The free, all-ages concert at the Kansas City Live! stage is part of a series of holiday events at venues throughout downtown including Crown Center,…
ArtsBlock Creating a Cultural Haven on Independence Avenue
By Kevin Collison ArtsBlock, a new project near downtown on Independence Avenue, more than lives up to its name by offering places for artists to live and work, as well as an exhibition gallery and art class space for kids. The 38-unit apartment building is part of what’s called The Paseo Gateway redevelopment area on…
Netherland Nearing Completion in Midtown, Rooftop Bar to Offer Wide City View
By Kevin Collison From what will be the rooftop bar and café at the historic Netherland Hotel project near 39th and Main, you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of Kansas City’s River-Crown-Plaza urban nexus. Right now, there’s scaffolding and the beginnings of a canopy on the roof, but by the end of the year, developer Caleb…
Provocative New Vietnam War Exhibit at WW I Museum Through July
(Editor’s note: The Vietnam War exhibit run at the WWI Museum has been extended to July 26 because of the museum’s temporary closure due to Covid-19 health restrictions) By Kevin Collison An unvarnished account of the Vietnam War, from the Cold War domino theory that hooked the U.S. in the 1950s, to a baby sweater…
New Hyatt House Adding ‘Sexy Pizza’ to Downtown Skyline
By Kevin Collison Construction is expected to begin within a couple weeks on a 13-story Hyatt House hotel at Ninth and Broadway that plans to introduce ‘Sexy Pizza’ to the downtown skyline. “It’s the food that’s sexy,” developer Scott Pedersen explained. “It’s a great concept and a great fit for the hotel.” Pedersen said the…
Councilwoman Asks City Manager to Explore Local Control of KC Police
(Editor’s note: the Council Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee voted to delay consideration of this resolution until Jan. 8). By Kevin Collison The City Council may take up one of the community’s most contentious and important civic issues soon: whether returning the police department to local control can help reduce the city’s soaring crime…
City School Fair at Downtown Library
The Downtown Central Library at 14 W. 10th St. is hosting the four annual City School Fair this Saturday, a chance for city families to learn about the full range of educational opportunities for their children. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature 62 schools representing all the city’s options:…
Councilwoman Asks City Manager to Explore Local Control of KC Police
Kansas City Councilwoman Melissa Robinson has introduced a resolution asking the city manager to explore local control of the Kansas City Police Department.
Madison Flitch Brings ‘Tree to Table’ Style to Crossroads
By Kevin Collison John Pryor has returned to his native Kansas City from Boston to contribute to downtown’s revival, crafting and selling unique furniture harvested from local trees in a new shop in the East Crossroads. “It’s a tree to table model,” he said, riffing off the ‘farm to table’ restaurant trend. “We work with tree…