Civic Affairs
J. Rieger Pursuing Ambitious ‘Electric Park’ Project in East Bottoms
By Kevin Collison The co-founder of Jacob Rieger & Co. distillery is pursuing a visionary concept to renovate the historic Heim Brewery Building in the East Bottoms as a catalyst to re-energize the old Electric Park area. The $11.3 million redevelopment proposal being pursued by Andy Rieger tentatively calls for the brick building at 507…
Latest Grinders Break-in Alarms East Crossroads Community
By Kevin Collison STRETCH is ticked after yet another break-in at his iconic East Crossroads food joint, Grinders Pizza. “This is the 11th time Grinder’s has been broken into,” the sculptor, restauranteur and impresario said of his place that opened in 2004. “It’s frustrating. They’ve never caught anybody.” This time, he wasn’t alone when someone…
Rightfully Sewn Finds New Home to ‘Move the Needle’ in Crossroads
By Kevin Collison Rightfully Sewn, a nonprofit started in 2015 to teach women how to succeed as seamstresses in the fashion industry, has found a permanent home in appropriately, the Crossroads Arts District. “Our goal is to create jobs and opportunities in Kansas City through the business of fashion,” said Jennifer Lapka, founder of Rightfully…
ULI Panel Offers Bold Concepts to Energize Barney Allis Plaza
By Kevin Collison Barney Allis Plaza, a dreary downtown centerpiece, could be lowered to street level and transformed into a large event lawn flanked by garden and “adventure” playground areas, all atop a new garage, in a $63 million redevelopment concept suggested last week. The proposal endorsed by an local Urban Land Institute panel assembled…
Data Tells Real Downtown Housing Story
GUEST COMMENTARY By Bill Dietrich Maintaining existing affordable housing stock and increasing that inventory are critical for the sustainability and continued growth of greater Downtown Kansas City. We’ve come a long way from the blight of the late 1990’s, but have much work still to do. In greater Downtown Kansas City today – 31st Street…