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

The proposed Fidelity Security Life Insurance tower looking south from Grand Boulevard.

KC Council Committee Supports Crown Center Office Tower Near Streetcar Stop

Fidelity Security Life’s proposed 11-story headquarters project at 27th and Main streets had its incentive request endorsed unanimously Wednesday by a City Council committee over the objections of the nearby Union Hill neighborhood.

KC Preservation Projects Failing Key State Incentive Program

By Kevin Collison Early last month, the $69 million renovation of the former “Flashcube” office building at 720 Main into apartments received an honors award as an innovative preservation project from Historic Kansas City. The city’s premier historic preservation organization also recognized the 273-unit West Bottoms Flats development at 925 Wyoming St. with its excellence…

The Flashcube building in downtown.

KC Preservation Projects Failing Key State Incentive Program

Changes implemented by the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) are making it much more challenging for downtown residential projects in Kansas City to qualify for the state historic tax credit program.

Fountain Haus to Pour New Hues in Westport Mix

By Kevin Collison The owners of Fountain Haus, the latest entry in the city’s LGBTQ club scene, believe their new venue opening in late January will be a well-received addition to the Westport party scene. “The owners in the Westport community are very welcoming and would like to see a shift in demographics and have…

Enzo Opening Next Week in City Market

By Kevin Collison Laura Norris knew it would be easier to serve a second Ragazza when she decided to open a new restaurant in the City Market, but felt deep inside it wouldn’t be the recipe for what may be her last culinary outing. “It was a personal decision for me,” she said. “Thinking it…

Mayor Invites Kevin Strickland to Light Tree at Crown Center

Today’s lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree at Crown Center will have a special guest, recently-freed prisoner Kevin Strickland. “We are honored to have Kevin Strickland turn on the lights for the Mayor’s Christmas Tree tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at Crown Center,” Mayor Quinton Lucas Tweeted on Thanksgiving Day. “God bless him. Please join us…

Folly Receives Key $2M Gift from Sunderland Foundation

The historic Folly Theater is receiving a $2 million gift from the Sunderland Foundation to boost a capital campaign that includes new seating, the second major donation by the Foundation to a downtown cultural institution this month. “We’re extremely thrilled and thankful to the Sunderland Foundation,” said Kelly Dougherty, Folly marketing manager. “They’ve been involved…

Border Brewing Doubles Space, Features Large Beer Garden

By Kevin Collison Border Brewing has opened its new, much larger quarters in the East Crossroads and in a nod to continuity, owner Eric Martens mounted the old bar top from his original place on the wall. After all, Border pioneered the Neigh-Brew-Hood when it first opened at 406 E. 18th St. in February 2015….

Mac Tweaks Big Mixed-Use Plan at Armour and Main

By Kevin Collison Mac Properties has tweaked it’s big mixed-use project proposed for Main and Armour, slightly reducing its size and incentive request in response to discussions with the neighborhood and taxing jurisdictions. The development first reported by CityScene KC in August, calls for renovating the US Bank office building at Main and Armour, and…

Plaza Luxury Apartment Tower Returns, Potential 2022 Start

By Kevin Collison A 15-story, luxury apartment project first proposed five years ago near the Country Club Plaza is returning to City Hall next month with a potential groundbreaking in the second half of next year. “The Madison” development planned by Block Real Estate Services would occupy a vacant triangular lot where Roanoke Parkway and…