Looks like Downtown's last two major (mostly vacant) historic towers will see new life soon... (Kansas City: low income, 2014)

[kcmo]

Both of these buildings have had numerous redevelopment proposals. It looks like these plans are pretty solid though.

Commission supports TIF for Power & Light Building project - Kansas City Business Journal



Old Federal Reserve building (again) may get new life as a hotel - Kansas City Business Journal

[Garethe]

Good because I hate that building, the first one, I had to stare out at it for 2 days when I stayed at the President.

However, while I think it's a good idea to bring old buildings back to life, the city is doing it way too much, it reinforces the theme of returning to kc after an absence and finding no visual change sending the message to the vacationing Smiths' or Jones' that it's the "same old thing here folks, no need to stop in that town when passin thru on I-70".

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by Garethe

Good because I hate that building, the first one, I had to stare out at it for 2 days when I stayed at the President.

However, while I think it's a good idea to bring old buildings back to life, the city is doing it way too much, it reinforces the theme of returning to kc after an absence and finding no visual change sending the message to the vacationing Smiths' or Jones' that it's the "same old thing here folks, no need to stop in that town when passin thru on I-70".

I think they should be restored, so I may disagree with you there.

However KC has very little new construction. They are just now getting a new tower up and it's not even a very big one and it's highly subsidized (first residential one downtown in decades). But hopefully it will lead to more though and KC's rents will get high enough to warrant new construction of high rise residential more often. But with the crossroads still full of parking lots, the entire east side of downtown still a mess and most of midtown needing infill, KC doesn't need a lot of new towers just yet.

On a positive note, things are starting to pick up a little for low rise residential infill. It's still not where it should be, but things are getting better. It's mostly national developers starting to take notice of KC though. The local developers still pretty much ignore the urban core in KC.

[Garethe]

I do agree because of the size, but maybe a mixed use building, no more low income lofts, upscale apartments or condos, possibly a hotel.

I heard you say in another forum that the new skyscraper in oklahoma city looks out of place, do you think KC would be well suited for a 50+ story building? Because there seems to be a certain amount of prestige to occupying the highest building in any given city, attracting tenants who want to be associated at or near prominent locations. Isn't there already a waiting list for the freedom tower in nyc? It seems like the plaza area has no trouble finding tenants so why not downtown? I'm thinking out loud now.

[Garethe]

I've got it!

Walmart!!!! Bring in a Wally World, stick it in downtown kcmo, and I guarantee they will be driving in from as far away as Topeka.

Ok, just a little levity, but it's sad that Ikea is probably generating more excitement in the metro than this, the streetcar, hotel, or any other project.

[shindig]

Anybody that hates the Power & Light building is a completeModcut. This is good news for downtown. These buildings are iconic. Drive through Houston or Phoenix and you probably wouldn't remember a single tower because they all look the same. Kansas City is blessed with a plethora of buildings from the early 1900's to modern day. Restoration along with infill is the key to a vibrant, interesting downtown.

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by shindig

Anybody that hates the Power & Light building is a complete idiot (see Garethe). This is good news for downtown. These buildings are iconic. Drive through Houston or Phoenix and you probably wouldn't remember a single tower because they all look the same. Kansas City is blessed with a plethora of buildings from the early 1900's to modern day. Restoration along with infill is the key to a vibrant, interesting downtown.

Yea, those historic buildings really make KC unique. The city needs new construction to compliment them, but KC's older buildings are awesome. I do agree that they should be market rate apartments and the P&L tower will not only be market rate, but at the top of the KC market (close to new construction prices).

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by Garethe

I've got it!

Walmart!!!! Bring in a Wally World, stick it in downtown kcmo, and I guarantee they will be driving in from as far away as Topeka.

Ok, just a little levity, but it's sad that Ikea is probably generating more excitement in the metro than this, the streetcar, hotel, or any other project.

Walmart sucks, but I think it would be great to see one as part of an urban project in the crossroads or something such as this one in DC.




People make a big deal out of IKEA in any town the size of KC. Denver did when they opened theirs. It's too bad that KC's IKEA wasn't located in a more urban location. They chose a great location for the one in StL. There are IKEA's everywhere around here. They are okay for a few things like tables or office furniture, but for the most part, I don't find them very useful outside of a cheap way to furnish a college dorm room or something. It's still good that KC is getting one, it will be a super regional draw. But yea, I'm sure the IKEA will get all kinds of attention while any project downtown will be an afterthought for most metro residents. I wouldn't come within five miles of that IKEA for the first year or two it's open. IKEAs are annoying enough to navigate without being overcrowded with ten thousand people that have never been in one.

[kcmo]

Another vacant historic structure, the Midland office tower is supposed to be converted to apartments as well (by Cordish).

[Garethe]

The Midland building is gorgeous, now I insist it be preserved.