Kevin Collison, CityScene

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

NFL Draft Showtime at Union Station Brings Civic Pride

 By Kevin Collison It’s showtime at Union Station with the upcoming NFL Draft and its top executive George Guastello is ecstatic millions of television viewers from around the nation will see Kansas City’s most beloved landmark. “When you talk to the NFL, they have never done a draft this size in front of a historic…

Developers Look Up at Broadway Site Across from Kauffman Center

By Kevin Collison A 40-story apartment and hotel tower on Broadway across from the Kauffman Center? That’s what a development group has in mind for the first phase of a big proposal that eventually could include a second high-rise building. But first, the developers–EPC Real Estate Group and Dan Carr–have to persuade the Federal Aviation…

A major development being pursued on Broadway across from the Kauffman Center could include a 40-story apartment/hotel tower (right) in its first phase and a second tower later.

Developers Pursue Skyscraper Next to Kauffman Center

A major project being pursued on Broadway next to the Kauffman Center could include a 40-story apartment/hotel tower and a second tower later.

UMKC Considers Arena as Part of Streetcar Stop Redevelopment

By Kevin Collison UMKC may build a small arena for events, concerts and athletics as part of a redevelopment project it’s planning near the south terminus of the streetcar extension. The proposal was mentioned in a State of the University speech given by Chancellor Mauli Agawal Monday. “We have real proof of what we are…

Stretch of Buildings Revived in Historic Troost Business District

By Kevin Collison Several buildings on a block in the historic Troost commercial district between 31st and Linwood have been renovated by Clemons Real Estate, with the latest tenant, Glory at Midtown, moving in last fall. The family-owned development firm has redeveloped the formerly vacant buildings on the west side of the block, 3108-16 Troost…

First Proposal in West Bottoms Redevelopment, 280-Unit Apartment Project

By Kevin Collison SomeraRoad has submitted plans for its first project in what’s projected to be a $400 million, multi-phase investment in the West Bottoms, a 280-unit apartment project that would go up on the site of the old Weld Wheel building. The five-story project would begin construction next January after the derelict Weld Wheel…

Plan for 12th and Broadway Calls for Apartments, HQ Expansion

By Kevin Collison The developer of city-owned property at 12th and Broadway wants to build a 13-story apartment building and ultimately expand the former Kansas City Southern headquarters, but the timing relies on the proposed reconstruction of Barney Allis Plaza. The proposal by what’s now Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Americo was outlined Wednesday…

Kansas City Southern headquarters with a city-owned parking lot in the foreground.

KC Southern Expansion, Apartments in the Works Downtown

Plans for apartments and an expanded headquarters for the former Kansas City Southern hinge, in part, on reconstruction of Barney Allis Plaza.

Shop Local KC Opens Third Location at Crown Center Shops

Shop Local KC has opened its third outlet at Crown Center, bringing the shopping center’s occupancy to 95 percent at time many other similar malls are struggling to attract retailers. The shop specializes in locally-made products by more than 50 artists and makers, creating unique Kansas City-themed gifts that may find a strong market with…

Two South Loop Link Concepts Presented, Each Close Street

By Kevin Collison Two alternative concepts for the proposed four-block park above the South Loop freeway, one calling for the closure of Baltimore Avenue, the other Walnut Street, were presented at a public meeting Tuesday. The proposed South Loop Link would cover the freeway from Wyandotte to Grand, and designers with OJB Architecture said a…