Civic Affairs
Federal Agency Concerns Over Homeless Situation at Ilus Davis Park has KC Downtown Council Scrambling
By Kevin Collison Ilus W. Davis Park, the centerpiece of the downtown Kansas City Civic District, has become a regular sleepover spot for homeless people, irritating a prominent next door neighbor, the Federal Aviation Administration. The Downtown Council has asked the Kansas City Parks Board to impose a night-time curfew in the two-block park in…
Downtown Kansas City Office Vacancy Drop Leads Nation Thanks to Conversions and New Tenants
By Kevin Collison Downtown Kansas City leads the nation these days reducing its office vacancy rate, but not because it’s returning to its heyday as the region’s business center. The drop is primarily due to the conversion of many older, obsolete office buildings into apartments and hotels as downtown has transitioned to a mixed-use, ‘live,…
UMKC Downtown Arts Campus Funding to be Considered by Governor in Mid-May
By Kevin Collison State funding for the planned downtown Conservatory of Dance and Music, called the “largest project in UMKC history,” is expected to be considered by Gov. Eric Greitens after lawmakers adjourn May 12. “I’m not quite ready to uncork the champagne until after the governor’s signature,” Bill Dietrich, president and CEO of the…
Design for New Downtown YMCA Would Keep Lyric Facade
By Kevin Collison Backers of a planned Downtown YMCA that would incorporate the facade of the historic Lyric Theater as part of the $30 million project hope to wrap up fundraising this summer. David Byrd, CEO of the YMCA, told the Downtown Council board Thursday that $21 million has been raised and anticipated the remaining…
Downtown KC Convention Hotel Design Connects Downtown with Crossroads
By Kevin Collison The planned $310 million convention hotel project is expected to create a better pedestrian connection between major downtown destinations as well as provide dramatic views for its guests, its architect says. “We believe that this building should be designed for the residents of Kansas City,” architect Bob Neal of Atlanta-based Cooper Carry…