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
Hotel Indigo and Fairfax Lofts
Renovation of 12-story Fairfax (then Brookfield) building | 11th St and Baltimore Ave | Cost: $33 million | Architect: Rosemann & Associaties (Kansas City) | General contractor: Rau Construction | Opened December 2017
Boulevard Brewery Visitor Center
2534 Madison Ave | Three-story building renovation of former Skelly Oil Building | Cost: $2.3 million | Opened July 2016
Loews Hotel
16th St and 17th St, Baltimore Ave and Wyandotte Ave | 24-story, 800 room hotel | $322.7 million | Construction begins January 2018, completion March 2020.
Downtown Urban Homes Tour Draws Big Weekend Crowd
By Kevin Collison A pleasant Saturday afternoon coupled with the growing buzz about urban living brought throngs of people downtown to check out open houses at 20 residential projects. This year’s Urban Homes Tour, part of the Downtown Dazzle holiday event, reached its limit of 1,250 pre-registered visitors several days in advance, and many more…
Crossroads Pizza Smackdown
By Kevin Collison As far as Philippe Lechevin is concerned, his new Papa Keno Pizzeria at 1815 Wyandotte is bringing New York-style pizza to a hungry Crossroads. But to Shari Boles, owner of Pizzabella at 1810 Baltimore, it’s more like New York-style chutzpah. In mid-November, a Papa Keno’s billboard went up next to her restaurant…
Developer Hopes to Raise Money to Finish Renovating Eyesore Building at 10th and Oak
By Kevin Collison Nicholas Abnos readily acknowledges he’s allowed a vacant five-story building at the prominent corner of 10th and Oak to fester for well over a decade. He feels the same shame for the even longer time it’s taken to complete the redevelopment of the empty former Brandsmart building at 211 W. Gregory Blvd….
Downtown Council Holiday Drive Collects Clothing and Toys for Homeless Families
The Downtown Council of Kansas City is rolling out the holiday barrels again to collect coats, clothing and toys for homeless families who use the services of ReStart. Sean O’Byrne, vice president of the downtown owners and property association, said this is the 15th year the council has collected donations for the individuals and families…
Children’s Mercy Research Tower
23rd St. and Gillham Rd. | 375,000 square foot, nine-story research building | Cost: $200 million | Architect: BSA LifeStructures | Contractor: McCownGordon | Completion early 2020
Children’s Mercy Hospital Plans Nine-Story Research Tower on Hospital Hill
By Kevin Collison Children’s Mercy Hospital is planning a nine-story research tower at its Hospital Hill campus, continuing a boom of healthcare-related construction in that area. The City Planning Commission is scheduled to review the plan for the 400,000 square-foot building at when it meets Wednesday morning. The building is proposed for a 10-acre site…
Quality Hill Playhouse Opens ‘The Q,’ Adds Full Bar and Quadruples Lobby
By Kevin Collison The Quality Hill Playhouse has expanded into long-dormant space at 10th and Central streets, dramatically expanding the size of its lobby and adding a full-service bar for patrons. Rick Truman, managing director, said the $600,000 expansion project called “The Q” opened the day after Thanksgiving in time for the downtown musical theater’s…