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
Paris Postcard: Rue Cler Shows the Way to a Better Plaza
By Kevin Collison Rue Cler is one of the many bustling market streets in Paris. Flower stalls spill out onto the sidewalk, cafés offer front row seats for people watching and merchants busy themselves arranging their shop window displays to catch the eyes of passersby. And the busy cobblestone street is shared by pedestrians and…
Cascade Luxury Hotel and Strang Chef Collective Open at Plaza
By Kevin Collison The Cascade luxury boutique hotel opened Wednesday at the Country Club Plaza, and along with the new Strang Chef Collective inside, it’s considered a $115 million vote of confidence in the district’s future. “We’re excited about the investments being made,” said developer Joe Morrison, president of Capital Management. “This is the most…
Plan for 12th and Broadway Calls for Apartments, HQ Expansion
(Editor’s note: This article originally was published April 13, 2023) 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…
Boutique Hotel Plan Returns for Historic Building on Grand
(Editor’s note: This article originally was posted May 15, 2023) By Kevin Collison A proposal to restore the historic Mason Building at 1110 Grand and reopen it as a 35-room boutique hotel has returned, led by a developer with a similar hotel venture in Lincoln, Neb. Nicholas Castaneda, a principal with the 49-room Kindler Hotel…
Arizona Trading Co. Opening in East Crossroads
(Editor’s note: This article originally was published June 9, 2023) By Kevin Collison Arizona Trading Co. is opening its biggest store in the East Crossroads this summer and for co-owner Venus Nichols, it’s a return to familiar territory. “It’s such a wonderful place,” she said. “I used to perform with a band (Stretchmarks) at The…
UMKC Seeks 5,000-Seat Arena, Retail By Streetcar Stop
(Editor’s note: This article originally was published May 16, 2023) By Kevin Collison UMKC is pitching a development proposal that would anchor the south end of the new streetcar extension with a 4,000- 5,000 seat arena for sports and cultural events, according to a request for proposals issued Monday. UMKC is asking developers to submit…
Opinion: Downtown Ballpark Talks Get Foul
Mayor Quinton Lucas was right last week when he said whoever leaked the misleading Jackson County internal memo to The Star about the long-term (40 years) financial implications of the proposed downtown Royals ballpark is trying to sabotage negotiations: “Yesterday, there was a leak which said county estimated new stadium is between $4B and $6B….
Main Street Buildings at Center of Landmark Controversy for Sale
By Kevin Collison A group of buildings at 31st and Main that were declared historic over the owner’s objection last year are back in play, and preservation advocates are hopeful about their prospects to be saved from destruction. “This is the opportunity provided by listing them as a local landmark,” said Lisa Briscoe of Historic…
LuxLiving Drops Two Downtown Apartment Proposals, Still Pursuing Tower Plan
By Kevin Collison LuxLiving, the St. Louis apartment developer building the Katz project, has dropped two downtown residential deals but is still pursuing its big apartment and hotel high-rise proposal at 14th and Wyandotte. Lux scrapped its plan to build at 250-unit apartment development on riverfront property owned by Port KC. The developer also is…
Lux Living Drops Two Apartment Projects, Still Pursues Tower Plan
LuxLiving, which is building the Katz project, has dropped two downtown residential deals but is still pursuing its big apartment and hotel high-rise proposal at 14th and Wyandotte.