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
Charlotte Street Foundation Finds Permanent Home Near Downtown
The Charlotte Street Foundation has found a permanent home at last and plans to renovate a building at 3333 Wyoming St. into a center for its extensive arts programs thanks in part to a $10 million capital drive. The new headquarters will include a gallery space; black box theatre; studio space for more than 30…
J. Rieger Rolls Out Top-Shelf Destination Distillery in East Bottoms
By Kevin Collison Andy Rieger is betting big his classy, new distillery and entertainment destination in the historic Heim Brewery Building will be a major East Bottoms draw. Rieger, who along with partner Ryan Maybee revived his family’s 130 year-old distillery Jacob Rieger & Co. five years ago, has converted the 60,000 square-foot former brewery…
WeWork Dramatically Expands Downtown Footprint
WeWork announced this morning its leasing more than 100,000 square feet in the lightwell building, formerly City Center Square, adding to its already sizable downtown presence in the Corrigan Station building. WeWork will occupy lightwell’s third and fourth floors. The 30-story office tower was recently purchased by New York-based SomeraRoad, which is reinvesting in the…
Burnt End BBQ Coming to Crown Center, Milano Exiting After 30 Years
Burnt End BBQ and Starbucks are taking over the Milano Italian Dining space at Crown Center later this year, ending what had been a 30-year run by the restaurant which specialized in Northern Italian cuisine. This will be the third Burnt End restaurant to be opened by Overland Park-based PB&J Restaurants, the others are its…
City’s Development Agency Relocates to River Market
By Kevin Collison The New York-based owner of the 3Y building in the River Market has landed an influential tenant, the Economic Development Corp. of Kansas City, a deal that means the building at 300 Wyandotte is now fully leased. “We’re excited to welcome the EDC to the 3Y Building,” Basel Bataineh, vice president of…
Crossroads Office Project Planned; More Riverfront Apartments Possible
By Kevin Collison A development plan that would demolish a century-old former bank at 1822 Main in the Crossroads and replace it with a $25 million office building was endorsed by a Port KC committee Monday. The development committee also was briefed on a proposed 300- to 350-unit apartment project that would be located between…
KC Live! and Downtown Score Big Time with World Cup Fans
By Kevin Collison Kansas City Live! cemented its reputation as being the place to gather in the metro to watch big sporting events with more than 10,000 people screaming their patriotic hearts out for the U.S. women’s soccer team Sunday. It was where Rob and Andrea Gladson traveled from Olathe to share the excitement and…
Flashcube Renovation Underway, Apartments Open Next June
By Kevin Collison The renovation of the historic “Flashcube” building into 184 apartments is going full throttle following years of delays and construction cost increases. About 70 workers are on the job daily at the nine-story building at 720 Main transforming the former 1970s office building into the latest major project to be developed along…
Blip Blends Bikers and Coffee in The Bottoms
By Kevin Collison Turns out, a good cup of Joe is just the scent to entice scores of motorcyclists to the West Bottoms on sleepy Sunday mornings. Ian Davis has combined his love of affordable, good coffee and biker culture into a unique coffee and motorcycle gear operation called Blip at 1101 Mulberry St. He…
Star Wars Launches Crown Center Free WeekEnder Series July 12
Free Friday night movies and live music with food trucks at a downtown, outdoor venue easily reached by streetcar, what’s not to like? Crown Center launches its WeekEnder series July 12 with the original 1977 Star Wars classic ‘A New Hope” at about 9 p.m. after a performance by County Road 5, a band described…