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
Sponsored Post: When Amazon Came Calling, Downtown Nashville was Ready
Editor’s note: In April, the Downtown Council invited CityScene KC to attend an Urban Land Institute Conference in Nashville, Tennessee with a leadership delegation from the Council. They had heard downtown Nashville’s speculative office development market was robust, and wanted to learn the reasons why and determine if there were any lessons for Kansas City….
Mr. Gerend Goes to Washington to Tout KC Streetcar Extension Plan
By Kevin Collison The head of the Kansas City Streetcar Authority had a rare chance to testify before Congress last week and personally lobby federal transit officials about the planned extension of the streetcar from downtown to UMKC. Tom Gerend, Streetcar Authority executive director, came back encouraged about the agency’s chances next year to obtain…
Acme Building Revived as Home for KC Artists Coalition and Apartments
By Kevin Collison A once-battered and empty building at 3200 Gillham Road will be the new home of the Kansas City Artists Coalition, part of a $4.8 million historic renovation project that also includes 27 apartments. The former Acme Cleaning Co. building, vacant for more than seven years, was redeveloped by Exact Partners and already…
Port KC Endorses Downtown Office Projects, Big Google Deal; Potential Affordable Housing Discussed
By Kevin Collison The Port KC board took a big development dive Monday, endorsing plans for two downtown office buildings, learning affordable housing may be on course for the riverfront and approving incentives for a potential $600 million Google data center in the Northland. The two office projects are proposed for the River Market and…
Sponsored Post: Booming Nashville Skyline Offers Lessons for Downtown Kansas City
Editor’s note: In April, the Downtown Council invited CityScene KC to attend an Urban Land Institute Conference in Nashville, Tennessee with a leadership delegation from the Council. They had heard downtown Nashville’s speculative office development market was robust, and wanted to learn the reasons why and determine if there were any lessons for Kansas City….
Cordish Objections Prompt Vote Delay on Downtown Office Tower Proposal
By Kevin Collison Objections by the Cordish Co. claiming the proposed Strata office tower at 13th and Main would violate the firm’s 2004 development agreement with the city prompted the developer to obtain a delay from the City Council Thursday. The $132 million speculative office project is being pursued by a development team that includes…
Collective EX Adds Creative Collaboration to East Crossroads
By Kevin Collison Johnny Dawbarn learned the value of creative collaboration during his time in the corporate world at Hallmark and now he’s established a more grassroots version in the East Crossroads called Collective EX. The founder of the new honeycomb of creativity at 519 E. 18th St., which includes a reboot of Thou Mayest…
Great Car Show Returns to Liberty Memorial This Sunday
This Sunday, the grounds of Liberty Memorial will be the place to kick tires downtown when the National World I Museum and Memorial co-hosts its third annual “Great Car Show” along with the Kansas City Automotive Museum. More than 400 vehicles are expected in a unique car show with no judgement. Anyone who wants to…
Isle of Capri Casino Sale Renews Hope for Streetcar Connection
(Updated July 21, 2020. Twin River Worldwide Holdings completed the acquisition of the Isle of Capri casino on July 2 and has renamed it “Casino KC.” “The company expects to substantially reposition the casino with a transformational redevelopment plan,” according to a release from the Rhode Island-based firm. “Most of the related capital expenditures are…
‘Kate’ Joins Delaware Street Revival
By Kevin Collison The Delaware Street retail renaissance in the River Market is greeting a fresh face, a stylish women’s boutique called “Kate.” Abby Flores, the owner of COCO and Lady Bye in Brookside, is combining the best of both “sister” stores in a boutique named after a strong woman she admires, actress Katharine Hepburn….