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
Volume 1ne Streetwear Opening in Crossroads Next Month
By Kevin Collison Volume 1ne is relocating from Westport to the Crossroads Arts District, tapping into the creative spirit of the neighborhood to inform and expand its lifestyle streetwear clothing line. Founder Justin Ji plans to open his new shop at 1919 Wyandotte next month, and looks forward to contributing to the fledgling retail scene…
Folly Debuts New Look This Weekend
By Kevin Collison Things may be a bit rough around the edges, but when The Folly hosts Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman of Byrds fame this Sunday, guests will have their first look at the $2.5 million renovation that’s bringing the 1900 vaudeville palace into the 21st Century. “Detail work needs to be completed, but…
KC Rapper Charges First Friday Crowd Up on Battery Tour
By Kim Mueller AY knows his easy laugh and genuine smile will attract overflowing crowds to his rap concert at this week’s First Friday when a regional production company films his performance. “It’s a social music movement for all ages and demographics,” said AY, who adopted the initials of his birth name, Aaron Young, as…
UMKC Rejects Downtown Options for Conservatory
(Editor’s note: Updated with reaction from the Downtown Council and City Manager Troy Schulte) By Kevin Collison The seven-year quest by civic leaders to bring the UMKC Conservatory to downtown Kansas City ended abruptly Tuesday when university officials issued a statement that rejects any downtown location. Instead, Chancellor C. Mauli Agrawal said that UMKC will only…
New 520 Penn Office Project Attracts Younger Workers to Crossroads
By Kevin Collison The Crossroads latest office project, 520 Penn, is attracting employers who believe their workers value the kind of diverse, vibrant environment offered by being downtown. The $15 million renovation of the historic McQueeny-Lock building was completed in July and is now home to 150 employees working at three firms: Centric Projects, Superior…
This Year’s Irish Fest Says Farewell to Old Friends, The Elders
By Kevin Collison This weekend’s Kansas City Irish Fest, which kicks off tonight at Crown Center when The Maguire Brothers take the stage at 5 p.m., marks the end of an era in local music history. For the last time, one of the region’s most popular musical groups of any genre, The Elders, will take…
Nation’s First Daycare for Kids with Immune Deficiencies Planned Near Union Hill
By Kevin Collison What’s being described as the nation’s first licensed day care center for children with weakened immune systems is planned for donated space near Union Hill. RJ Children’s Haven is expected to be a place where children diagnosed with diseases that damage their immune system including cancer, genetic disorders and transplants can share…
Growing Beacon Hill Neighborhood Adding $16M Hotel to Mix
By Kevin Collison After a more than two-year effort, work on a new 92-room LaQuinta Del Sol hotel got its formal start Tuesday, the latest addition to the growing Beacon Hill neighborhood in the southeast corner of greater downtown. “We’re thrilled we finally got here,” developer John Hoffman said during a groundbreaking ceremony. “It took…
Charlotte Street Launches New Performance Space on Broadway
By Kevin Collison The Charlotte Street Foundation, a cutting-edge downtown cultural fixture for years, has found a permanent space for performance works on Broadway–at least as long as its spared from redevelopment. The venue, called Capsule, opened in early August in space at 1664 Broadway and will close out its first season Aug. 30 with…
Crossroads Prep Opens Downtown in Historic Thayer Building
By Kevin Collison Six years after launching Crossroads Academy in downtown with 190 elementary students, Dean Johnson and his colleagues welcomed another 190 students, this time at a new high school in the historic Thayer building. Johnson, executive director, said the charter school has grown to 800 students since opening in a former office building…