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
Crossroads Community Association Celebrates 20 Years Creating a Neighborhood
Editor’s note: This article originally was published March 16, 2021) By Kevin Collison When the Crossroads Community Association began 20 years ago, its sprawling 90-block turf of old, brick commercial buildings sandwiched between downtown and Crown Center was facing an identity crisis. The area was finishing its pioneering phase that began in 1985 when artist…
Liberty Street Green Space Completes First Year in West Bottoms
By Kevin Collison One of greater downtown’s newer “parks” recently celebrated a quiet first anniversary, except for the rumbling trucks overhead. It’s called the Liberty Street Green Space and it replaces a grubby, former no-man’s land beneath the I-670 overpass in the West Bottoms with decorative pavers, walking trails and landscaping. The project was part…
Sponsored Post: Boveri Realty Serves Kansas City’s Owners, Renters and Community
The following article was produced and paid for by Boveri Realty Group: Whether you’re preparing to buy or sell, rent or looking for a tenant, you need someone representing your interests – a realtor. And Boveri Realty Group agents will always be there to help. As 2021 comes to an end, Boveri agents know 2022…
New Plan Would Redevelop Former AT&T Building Into Apartments
By Kevin Collison The vacant, former AT&T office building at 500 E. Eighth St. would be redeveloped as a 265-unit apartment project under a fresh proposal that’s been submitted to a city development agency. The Bernstein Cos. of Washington D.C. has a contract to purchase the property from its current developer, Maxus Properties of North…
West Plaza Flats Importing ‘Co-Living’ Concept to KC
(Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on Dec. 28, 2020) By Kevin Collison Construction has begun on a five-story apartment project at 44th and Belleview that’s introducing a lifestyle imported from Denmark and an imposing tower crane above the West Plaza. The 102-unit West Plaza Flats development is being built on a 1.5-acre site at…
Work Begins on $52M Apartment Project in Freight House District
(Editor’s note: This updated article originally appeared on Aug. 16.) By Kevin Collison The 193-unit Tracks apartment project in the Freight House District has begun construction, two years after it was first proposed. The $52.5 million development is being built by Milhaus, an Indianapolis developer that also recently completed the 338-unit Artistry KC apartment complex…
8183 Productions Sets Up Sophisticated Shop on Westside
By Kevin Collison Tucked in a quiet corner of the Westside is a nondescript building on Holly Street that houses some of the latest technology and talented staff in the growing downtown production and advertising industry. It’s been a year since 8183 Productions opened in its new space in a former data center building, and…
Greater Downtown Population Up 29 Percent in New Census Results
(Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on Aug. 17.) By Kevin Collison Greater Downtown Kansas City’s population jumped 29.4 percent over the last decade to 27,831 residents, according to the 2020 Census, thanks in part to people like Jessica Best. “We’ve lived in the Western Auto building for eight years and we’ve loved how the…
Jason’s Deli Crossing the Street to Town Pavilion
Jason’s Deli is moving across Main Street to Town Pavilion, leaving one newly-refurbished office tower lobby for another. The deli has been in the lobby of the lightwell building at 1100 Main, the former City Center Square. Lightwell is leasing that space to a new food hall to be operated by Tim Barton, who also…
Fitness Center Opens in River Market
By Kevin Collison A pair of fitness trainers who struck out on their own after working at commercial gyms have opened a new business, Crossroads Training, in the River Market at 510 Delaware. Adam Carney and Kristen Jukes met each other working at a franchise fitness center and wanted to open a smaller place with…