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

Folly Tunes Up for Return to Live Music This October

The Folly Theater is gingerly tuning up to re-enter the world of live music this fall with its 38th Jazz Series! When singer Karrin Allyson takes the stage of the historic theater at 12th and Central on Oct. 17, it will be the Folly’s first sponsored event since March 7, when health restrictions prompted by…

New Hotel Kansas City Looking for Love to Prosper

By Kevin Collison Officials at the new Hotel Kansas City scheduled to open in the historic Kansas City Club building this August believe love will show the way to prosperity following the hospitality industry crash caused by Covid-19. “The interest in weddings is how the industry will come back,” said Sarah Beck, director of sales…

Second and Delaware Apartments Close to Rolling Out Green Carpet

By Kevin Collison The Second and Delaware development may be described as the world’s largest “passive house” building, but its dedicated passion that’s bringing this unique River Market apartment project to fruition. After a six-year odyssey that included a 16-month construction shutdown prompted by a contractor dispute, developer Jonathan Arnold expects to accept the first residents…

The plan to extend the KC Streetcar to the riverfront using the Grand Boulevard viaduct also includes building a parallel pedestrian/bike bridge.

Streetcar Riverfront Plan Downsized, Backers Seek $14.2M from Feds

(Editor’s note: Updated Sept. 10, 2020. The KC Streetcar Authority announced it received $14.2 million in federal funding to expand the line to the riverfront) By Kevin Collison Supporters of the planned streetcar extension to the riverfront have shortened the route and dropped one of its stations in a bid to obtain $14.2 million in…

KC Live! Reopening Soon; P&L District Covid Losses Total ‘Tens of Millions’

By Kevin Collison The Kansas City Live! Block is returning to life next week after being dormant since mid-March, but with a more low-key vibe compared to the raucous times of the Chief’s Super Bowl run earlier this year. For the time being, the canopied space at the heart of the KC Power & Light…

Diners on 14th Street in the Power & Light District

KC Live! Reopening Soon; P&L District Pandemic Losses Total ‘Tens of Millions’

The Power & Light District is slowly coming back to life after being largely dormant since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

REVERB, Prominent Crossroads Addition with Views to Match

By Kevin Collison REVERB offers the kind of dramatic 360-degree downtown views you’d expect from a 14-story building that dominates the Crossroads at 18th and Walnut. The 132-unit tower has been making a visual statement almost since construction began at the start of 2019, adding height and density to an area that had been a…

Streetcar-Related River Market Mixed-Use Project Progressing

By Kevin Collison A proposed, streetcar-oriented $65 million apartment and hotel project is rolling along in the River Market, with a final development agreement with the KCATA anticipated by late August and possible construction start early next year. The six-story development planned for what’s currently a parking lot at Third and Grand calls for about…

Couple Relocate Wellness Clinic from Crossroads to Calmer Digs in Union Hill

By Kevin Collison Chris Powell and Jennifer Kieltyka have left the bustle of the Crossroads District and found a quieter place for their acupuncture and wellness clinic by Union Cemetery near Crown Center. “The Crossroads was getting crowded and busy and we saw this building,” Kietyka said. “It’s a not too busy road and not…

Historic Board of Ed Building Coming Down, Home for Kraft Murals Sought

By Kevin Collison Demolition of the historic former Board of Education building at 1211 McGee is expected to begin soon, although its owner remains open to finding a new home for the colorful mosaic murals adorning it by the late Arthur Kraft. Developer Jon Copaken of Copaken Brooks, which purchased the property last September, said…