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

Prospects ‘Bleak’ for Converting Old Buck O’Neil Bridge to Park

By Kevin Collison The prospect of the old Buck O’Neil Bridge being converted to a linear park is “bleak” according to a feasibility study that determined the proposal would cost $100 million, double the original estimate. The report also found that even if funding can be identified, significant parts of the 65 year-old span over…

Aerial view looking south at the Buck O'Neil Bridge.

Prospects ‘Bleak’ for Converting Old Buck O’Neil Bridge to Park

The prospect of converting the old Buck O’Neil Bridge to a linear park is “bleak,” according to a study that found it would cost twice the original estimate.

South Loop Link Backers Seek $60M ‘Mega-Grant’ From Feds

By Kevin Collison Backers of the plan to deck the South Loop freeway with a four-block park are making a big ask from Washington, seeking a “mega-grant” that would greatly assure construction of the project. “We have applied for a $60 million mega-grant from the feds that’s part of the federal infrastructure program, Rebuilding America,”…

Catholic Diocese Serves Controversy with Plan to Move Homeless Breakfast Program

By Kevin Collison A storm is brewing over the Catholic Diocese’s desire to relocate its breakfast ministry for the homeless to its Chancery building in the heart of the Library District, a downtown area with hundreds of apartments and many small businesses. A spokesperson for the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph said the move…

Developer Pursuing 180-Unit Apartment Project in East Crossroads

By Kevin Collison The city is in preliminary negotiations with a developer who wants to build a 180-unit apartment project on public property in the East Crossroads that would include 36 affordable apartments. Grayson Capital is pursuing the project at 1531 Holmes. The site is currently occupied by a city-owned building. The firm was selected…

Nashville-Based ‘The Escape Game’ Plans Spring Opening at Plaza

By Kevin Collison The Escape Game, a Nashville chain specializing in “story-driven missions,” is planning to open a franchise in the Country Club Plaza this spring, the latest immersive-style entertainment venue to liven up the venerable retail district. The new venture is planned for space at 320 Ward Parkway currently occupied by the Ricca Sposa…

Port KC Sticks with Familiar Firm to Continue South Loop Link Planning

By Kevin Collison Port KC is sticking with a familiar firm to continue planning the proposed South Loop Link, choosing HNTB to conduct the environmental and preliminary engineering work for the $160 million endeavor. Kansas City-based HNTB has been actively engaged with the concept of decking the I-670 freeway with a four-block park for more…

Oracle Closing Former Cerner World Headquarters in North Kansas City

By Kevin Collison Oracle is pulling the plug on the former world headquarters of Cerner in North Kansas City, relocating its employees to its Innovations Campus in south Kansas City. “In order to provide employees with the best environment in which to work and collaborate, we are consolidating our workforce into the recently expanded Innovations…

The former Cerner Corp. headquarters in North Kansas City.

Oracle Closing Former Cerner World Headquarters in North Kansas City

Oracle is pulling the plug on the former world headquarters of Cerner in North Kansas City, relocating its employees to its Innovations Campus in south Kansas City.

Thirsty? Your Hoppy Guide to the Downtown KC Craft Beer Scene

(Editor’s note: This article was last updated Dec. 26, 2022) Kansas City’s downtown craft beer scene traces its hoppy roots back to Nov. 17, 1989. That’s the date John McDonald, founder of Boulevard Brewing, delivered his first keg of Pale Ale to Ponak’s Mexican Kitchen just a few blocks down the road on Southwest Boulevard….