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
Aines Dairy Loft Project on Gillham Begins, Summer 2023 Opening
By Kevin Collison The redevelopment of the historic Aines Dairy building at 3130 Gillham Rd. into 50 lofts with a potential grocer at street level is underway and the developer anticipates an opening next summer. Exact Partners began pursuing the $12 million project in spring 2021 and it received a chilly reception when its request…
Planned Apartment Project at Third and Grand Grows to 102 Units
By Kevin Collison Oak Properties has tweaked the former Ashland apartment development planned for Third and Grand across from the City Market, adding eight units and halving the amount of retail space. Andrew Ganahl, a representative for Oaks Properties, the Minneapolis-based developer, said construction is expected to begin late this year at the development site…
Art in the Loop Live Performances Begin Wednesday
A free performance with electronic jazz, improv theatre and a puppet show is happening at Oppenstein Park this Wednesday, the opening live event of this year’s Art in the Loop. This is the ninth year for Art in the Loop, a cultural initiative by the Downtown Council and the Downtown CID that brings public art…
Protected Bike Lane First Step to Fulfill ‘Making Grand Grand’ Vision
By Kevin Collison The City Council has approved funding to plan a protected bike lane on Grand Boulevard between the South Loop and Crown Center, the first step toward implementing the “Making Grand Grand” vision hatched over a decade ago. The money for the Grand Boulevard bike lane through the Crossroads District is part of…
East Crossroads Brewers & Friends Band Together to Promote District
(Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in CityScene Dec. 3, 2021) By Kevin Collison Six years after Border Brewing, its first microbrewery, opened, the East Crossroads and its band of merry brewers, distillers and vintners are touting their area as a big regional draw and working together to promote it. “We’ve become a tourist destination,”…
Loft Project Proposed for Historic Carnival Building on Broadway
By Kevin Collison A developer with substantial experience doing projects in Midtown and along Troost Avenue is turning his sight downtown and wants to renovate the historic Carnival building at 802 Broadway into 48 loft apartments. Exact Partners is part of a development group that is proposing to renovate the ornate, eight-story office building completed…
Proposed Greenline Trail Price Tag $80M, Plan to Seek Federal Funding
By Kevin Collison The proposed Greenline recreational trail loop around downtown now has an estimated $80 million price tag, according to backers who plan to eventually seek federal funding for the project. The Greenline was initially pitched almost three years ago by developer Vince Bryant, who’s firm 3D Development has renovated several buildings in the…
Conversion of Historic Ozark Building to Hotel Begins at Ninth and Grand
(Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in CityScene Oct. 18, 2021) By Kevin Collison Preliminary demolition work has begun on converting the historic Ozark building at Ninth and Grand into a 249-room AC Hotels by Marriott with completion anticipated in about two years. “In terms of historic buildings, I think it’s in exceptional condition,” said…
Art Garden KC Begins This Sunday at City Market Park
Art Garden KC, a weekly event featuring 60 vendors, kids’ art activities and an open mic showcase, begins this Sunday at the City Market Park and runs through Oct. 30. This is the first year for Art Garden KC at the small park at Third and Main west of the City Market. It originated last…
Big West Bottoms Redevelopment Plan Backed by City, Stirs Fears of Some Neighbors
By Kevin Collison SomeraRoad’s ambitious proposal to transform a sleepy section of the West Bottoms into a “dynamic” mixed-use district has strong support from City Hall but awakened worries of some longtime denizens. In recent weeks, the zoning change required for the sweeping redevelopment concept by the New York developer has received unanimous approval from…