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

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

KC Southern Still on Track for Possible Downtown HQ Expansion

By Kevin Collison The possibility Kansas City Southern could expand its downtown headquarters is picking up steam with the city seeking development proposals for property it owns adjacent to the railroad at 12th and Broadway. “We see tremendous potential at that site for a high-density, mixed-use development,” City Manager Brian Platt said. “It could be…

It’s Official: Blue Cross Relocating HQ to 1400KC, Former Waddell Project

By Kevin Collison Blue Cross Blue Shield is relocating its headquarters and more than 1,000 employees a half-mile north to occupy the 18-story office tower originally built for Waddell & Reed at 14th and Baltimore, company officials announced today. The move, long speculated after the Waddell deal collapsed when the firm was sold in late…

Developer Pitches Plan to Replace Oldest Building on Main with High-Rise

(UPDATED Sept. 20: The City Plan Commission voted 5-1 to endorse landmark status for the 31st and Main properties. The proposed designation now goes to the full City Council for final review.) By Kevin Collison The owner of the historic Jeserich Building at 31st and Main, which the city wants declared a landmark, launched a…

Blue Cross Blue Shield is moving to the once would-be Waddell & Reed building downtown. (Contributed)

Blue Cross Blue Shield Moves Headquarters Downtown

Announced today, Blue Cross Blue Shield is moving to the once would-be Waddell & Reed building downtown.

Big Waldo Apartment Project Proposed, Revives Streetcar Extension Idea

By Kevin Collison A 300-unit apartment project that would transform the scale and nature of the Waldo entertainment area received preliminary support from a transit-oriented development agency Wednesday. EPC Real Estate Group is cooperating with the Lewellen family, the owner of The Well at 7421 Broadway, on the $90 million plan called Waldo74Broadway. The proposal…

Rendering of a proposed 300-unit apartment project would replace The Well restaurant and transform the scale and nature of the Waldo entertainment area.

Developer Goes to The Well for Big Waldo Apartment Project

A 300-unit apartment project that would replace The Well restaurant and transform the scale and nature of the Waldo entertainment area received preliminary support from a transit-oriented development agency Wednesday.

Manila Bay Sails Into Former Pirate’s Bone Crossroads Space

By Kevin Collison Manila Bay Express, a Filipino restaurant, is opening in the Crossroads space previously occupied by Pirate’s Bone, replacing its former tenant’s all veggie menu with such delicacies as pata, crunchy pork skin enclosing tender meat. Co-owner Brandon Boyd said this will be the second Manila Bay in the metro, the other is…

Delays Grow City Harvest Apartment Tower Cost to $95.6M

By Kevin Collison A 13-story apartment project planned next to the City Market has become significantly more expensive because of inflation after several months of delays caused in part by a hassle with the FAA over its proposed height. The new cost estimate for what’s called City Harvest is $95.6 million, 27.5 percent more than…

Milhaus Plans $58M Apartment Project in North KC

An Indianapolis apartment developer with a deep portfolio in greater downtown Kansas City is planning its first project across the river in North Kansas City. Milhaus is planning a $58 million development in the One North Redevelopment area southeast of Armour Road and Interstate 29/35.  The 58-acre former industrial site was once occupied by grain…

LuxLiving Scraps Riverfront Incentive Request, More Tax Revs, No Affordable Housing

By Kevin Collison LuxLiving has dropped its request for tax incentives to help build a proposed riverfront apartment project, a move that could yield about $18 million in fresh tax revenues, but set back efforts to providing affordable housing in the booming area. Port KC President and CEO Jon Stephens said the St. Louis-based developer…