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
‘Greenline’ Concept Would Loop Downtown with Recreational Trail
An ambitious plan to create a 10-mile “Greenline” recreational loop around downtown similar to the popular BeltLine in Atlanta is being championed by developer Vince Bryant. “It’s not a new idea,” Bryant told the Downtown Council board last week. “Most progressive cities have rails to trails projects. “The goal is to have people come off…
‘Greenline’ Concept Would Loop Downtown with Recreational Trail
By Kevin Collison An ambitious plan to create a 10-mile “Greenline” recreational loop around downtown similar to the popular BeltLine in Atlanta is being championed by developer Vince Bryant. “It’s not a new idea,” Bryant told the Downtown Council board last week. “Most progressive cities have rails to trails projects. “The goal is to have…
Police Official: Downtown ‘Relatively Safe’ Despite Recent Murders
By Kevin Collison Despite three murders in August, including a young woman struck by a stray bullet last First Friday, downtown Kansas City remains a “relatively safe” place, a top police commander assured business leaders Thursday. “The main crime problem we have downtown has been pretty much the same over the past 30 years, property…
East Village Developer Ready to Play Ball on Potential Downtown Stadium
(Updated Nov. 26 with new Royals owner John Sherman’s first comments during a press conference at Kauffman Stadium about the potential for a downtown ballpark: “There is a lot left on the lease. When you look out the window there’s a beautiful place to play baseball…. “That said, there’s a lot of interest in, in…
New Blade & Timber Finds Mark in Power & Light District
By Kevin Collison Blade & Timber is now open in the Power & Light District and so far, the owners have found their best advertisement has been passersby lured by the noise of axes chopping into wood. “We’re excited to open the doors because of the sound of axe throwing” co-owner Matt Baysinger said. “People…
SpraySeeMO Draws Global, Local Street Artists to Crossroads
The third annual SpraySeeMO Mural Festival is returning to the Crossroads Arts District for a seven-day run beginning Sunday and is drawing street artists from around the world and country to add even more color to the walls of greater downtown. An estimated 40 walls will be the canvases for the event, which also includes…
First Friday Reset Planned Following Murder at August Event
By Kevin Collison In the wake of last First Friday’s tragic shooting, organizers want to calm the event closer to its roots as a celebration of the Crossroads art scene, not the loud, crowded street party it’s become in recent years. The Crossroads Community Association announced Friday that next week’s First Friday temporarily will ban…
School of Economics Opens Downtown Program for City Kids
By Kevin Collison A program that’s been educating tens of thousands of suburban fifth and sixth graders about the business world for 25 years has opened a new downtown space to serve city kids. The School of Economics, a program launched in Blue Springs in 1994, is now open for class in a 4,000 square-foot…
Irish Fest Plans a ‘Mix Tape’ Finale for This Year’s Annual Weekend Party
By Kevin Collison This year’s 17th annual Irish Fest had a dilemma. For the first time since its soggy inception in 2003 at Berkley Riverfront Park, the festival’s favorite band, The Elders, wouldn’t be performing. “Obviously, The Elders are gone, which means we’re looking for a new tradition,” said Keli O’Neill, whose firm produces the…
‘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…