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
Signs Point to Softening Downtown Apartment Market
By Kevin Collison A several point drop in apartment occupancy rates indicate the downtown market may be cooling after the torrid pace of the past couple years, according to two real estate professionals well-versed in the area. John Bennett Jr. of KCLoftCentral said his suspicion the market was softening was reinforced when he noticed that…
Award-Winning Chef Michael Smith Opening New Crossroads Restaurant
By Kevin Collison Renowned Chef Michael Smith is celebrating his passion for Italian cuisine by opening a new restaurant in the Crossroads Arts District next door to his current namesake establishment. “Farina by Michael Smith” will be located at 19th and Baltimore in space formerly occupied by the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Smith said…
Historic Downtown Skyscraper for Sale, Missouri’s Tallest Residential Tower
By Kevin Collison The 909 Walnut building, the iconic, bunny-eared skyscraper that jumpstarted the 21st Century revival of the downtown housing market, is up for sale, asking price $49 million. The 35-story historic tower and Ninth and Walnut, the tallest residential building in the Midwest outside Chicago, was among the ranks of empty former office…
New Survey: Streetcar No Toy, It’s More Little Engine That Could
A new survey of streetcar ridership dispenses with one myth suggested by its critics–it’s not being used as a free amusement park ride. Ninety percent were onboard to reach a destination, and 50 percent planned to spend money when they got there, according to the study conducted last August through October. Only 3 percent of…
Sculpture Alley Adding Public Art Venue to Crossroads Neighborhood
By Kevin Collison Several Crossroads property owners are creating a new venue for public art in downtown, designating an alley that runs behind some prominent galleries as “Sculpture Alley” and commissioning works to display there. “It’s a good way in which neighbors can work together to use a public space for public art,” said Suzie…
City Market Begins Charging for Workday Parking March 1
By Kevin Collison The City Market will end free parking during work hours starting March 1, eliminating what had evolved to become an informal park-and-ride deal for the rest of downtown since the streetcar began rolling in May 2016. “What happened was downtown businesses figured out our parking was free, and people started letting go…
Crown Center Offers New Site for Potential Mid-Rise Apartments
By Kevin Collison Hallmark Cards, Inc. is continuing to offer choice Crown Center construction sites to outside developers, this time a 4.4-acre tract south of the Shook Hardy law firm office tower. The site is being marketed by Block Real Estate Services and is described as a development opportunity for a “unique, mid-high rise multifamily”…
New Report Finds Younger Adults and Singles Dominate Downtown Living
Downtown Kansas City residents are younger, more likely to be single and living by more ethnically diverse neighbors than the rest of the city and metro, according to a new study by the Downtown Council. The new State of Downtown report found the population of Greater Downtown is expected to jump from 21,000 in 2010…
Spark KC Joins Fast-Growing Downtown Co-Working Market
By Kevin Collison The Cordish Co. has joined the burgeoning co-working market downtown, announcing that 15,000 square feet in its new Two Light apartment project will be reserved for an office venture called “Spark KC.” “With the rapid growth of the downtown population, the demand for downtown office space is higher than it has been…
Crossroads Chiropractor Expands to Serve Growing Downtown Demand for Healthcare
By Kevin Collison Downtown’s fast-growing population and resulting demand for more healthcare services has prompted Crossroads Chiropractic & Wellness to relocate to new space almost twice the size of its original location. The new 5,000 square-foot clinic at 1808 McGee St. opened last October, eight years after Dr. Jessica Taylor D.C. decided to take a…