This is why KC companies need to step up and be more committed to Downtown. Look out for Nashville... (St. Louis: college, live)

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by Mauidreemn

You jest? Seriously? No one on the east coast would ever consider the plaza urban.

Urban to me is renewal of structures, communities and ethnicities already there. KC Plaza is not urban. It is a conglomerate of chain stores like Pottery Barn and Ann Taylor Loft. I can't think of anyone in this world that would think that KC Plaza is urban. And I love the Plaza

Wrong. The plaza is similar is scale and size and "urbanity" to many areas around DC that are very much considered Urban by the locals.

The closest thing to the plaza in the DC area is Downtown Silver Spring, MD. A very dense area surrounded mostly by single family homes and smaller apartments buildings. And WAY more chain places than the plaza. Like I said, the types of retail has nothing to do with an area being urban or not and retail is only a part of the plaza. The Plaza is also parks, major hospitals, high density housing, office space, nearly all the parking is structured or street parking, the area host many major festivals and events, there are museums and colleges nearby. I see what you are saying and areas of KC like the Crossroads are urban as well (I think it is anyway). The Plaza is urban and if you don't think I get around, you don't know me...

[shindig]

Originally Posted by Mauidreemn

You jest? Seriously? No one on the east coast would ever consider the plaza urban.

Urban to me is renewal of structures, communities and ethnicities already there. KC Plaza is not urban. It is a conglomerate of chain stores like Pottery Barn and Ann Taylor Loft. I can't think of anyone in this world that would think that KC Plaza is urban. And I love the Plaza

Okay, your posts are all over the place. You just stated urban is the "renewal of structures already there", but you think Kemper Arena should be torn down and replaced by a 5,000 seat building? The west bottoms is a community, and 360 days out of the year, it has nothing to do with the American Royal or haunted houses. There are artists, small business owners, and residents that put their heart and soul into making and creating the area into a dynamic, urban fabric of KC.

[Mauidreemn]

Originally Posted by kcmo

Wrong. The plaza is similar is scale and size and "urbanity" to many areas around DC that are very much considered Urban by the locals.

The closest thing to the plaza in the DC area is Downtown Silver Spring, MD. A very dense area surrounded mostly by single family homes and smaller apartments buildings. And WAY more chain places than the plaza. Like I said, the types of retail has nothing to do with an area being urban or not and retail is only a part of the plaza. The Plaza is also parks, major hospitals, high density housing, office space, nearly all the parking is structured or street parking, the area hose many major festivals and events. I see what you are saying and areas of KC like the Crossroads are urban as well (I think it is anyway). The Plaza is urban and if you don't think I get around, you don't know me...

No, I don't know you and it doesn't really matter. Silver Spring, MD is not an accurate comparison.

Retail has everything to do with an urban setting. Have you lived in Portland or Seattle?

KCMO, I'm not trying to be your enemy. I want the same things as you do. I love KC. I've worked as a social worker in downtown KC. I've also traveled this country and world. Maybe I am wrong but I think you think that a strong urban core means strong white populace and I have a serious problem with that.

[Mauidreemn]

Originally Posted by shindig

Okay, your posts are all over the place. You just stated urban is the "renewal of structures already there", but you think Kemper Arena should be torn down and replaced by a 5,000 seat building? The west bottoms is a community, and 360 days out of the year, it has nothing to do with the American Royal or haunted houses. There are artists, small business owners, and residents that put their heart and soul into making and creating the area into a dynamic, urban fabric of KC.

I'm not all over the place. Yes, I think that structures that are sound should be preserved. A pathetic structure built in the 70's that has NEVER been viable is not historic nor should it be preserved

[Mauidreemn]

Originally Posted by shindig

Okay, your posts are all over the place. You just stated urban is the "renewal of structures already there", but you think Kemper Arena should be torn down and replaced by a 5,000 seat building? The west bottoms is a community, and 360 days out of the year, it has nothing to do with the American Royal or haunted houses. There are artists, small business owners, and residents that put their heart and soul into making and creating the area into a dynamic, urban fabric of KC.

Ok. So those small business owners, artists and residents should be okay. Regardless of what happens to Kemper. Right?

[shindig]

Originally Posted by Mauidreemn

I'm not all over the place. Yes, I think that structures that are sound should be preserved. A pathetic structure built in the 70's that has NEVER been viable is not historic nor should it be preserved

Wrong again. Kemper Arena is historic. You know why? Because it was the first major building designed by Helmut Jahn, a world renowned architect. You need to learn your history and appreciate it.


Helmut Jahn - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[kcmo]

No, I don't know you and it doesn't really matter. Silver Spring, MD is not an accurate comparison.

I beg to differ. They have a lot in common. Please tell me why Silver Spring is not an accurate comparison. It's a very urban area and only six miles from downtown Washington. It has retail and high density office and residential. The core of downtown silver spring is about the same size as the plaza and the area around Downtown Silver Spring is very similar to the area around the plaza. And again, when I say the plaza, I mean the entire district, not just the retail in the center.

Retail has everything to do with an urban setting. Have you lived in Portland or Seattle?

No it doesn't. All urban areas have retail, but the type of retail does not determine if an area is urban or not. Now I wouldn't call Leawood Town Center Plaza urban (or whatever the area where AMC is now). It's a suburban development with some urban characteristics and it would be a suburban area even if you took all the chains and replace them with indys.

And no, I have never lived in Portland or Seattle, but have been to both many many times. Plenty of chains in their urban areas. Probably more than KC.

KCMO, I'm not trying to be your enemy. I want the same things as you do. I love KC. I've worked as a social worker in downtown KC.

I'm not so sure about that. Reading your posts tells me you and I have very different opinions and that's fine, I respect that. But I will voice my differing point of view.

I've also traveled this country and world. Maybe I am wrong but I think you think that a strong urban core means strong white populace and I have a serious problem with that.

I'm not even sure what you mean by this. We are not even discussing gentrification urban areas with white people, we can't even come to an agreement on what is "urban" , however, feel free to elaborate on your thoughts more. KC is very segregated. I'll give you that. But I'm not sure where you are going with that topic.

[Mauidreemn]

Originally Posted by shindig

Wrong again. Kemper Arena is historic. You know why? Because it was the first major building designed by Helmut Jahn, a world renowned architect. You need to learn your history and appreciate it.


Helmut Jahn - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kemper is not historic. Take a trip to London or St. Louis and you will understand.

[Mauidreemn]

Originally Posted by kcmo

No, I don't know you and it doesn't really matter. Silver Spring, MD is not an accurate comparison.

I beg to differ. They have a lot in common. Please tell me why Silver Spring is not an accurate comparison. It's a very urban area and only six miles from downtown Washington. It has retail and high density office and residential. The core of downtown silver spring is about the same size as the plaza and the area around Downtown Silver Spring is very similar to the area around the plaza. And again, when I say the plaza, I mean the entire district, not just the retail in the center.

Retail has everything to do with an urban setting. Have you lived in Portland or Seattle?

No it doesn't. All urban areas have retail, but the type of retail does not determine if an area is urban or not. Now I wouldn't call Leawood Town Center Plaza urban (or whatever the area where AMC is now). It's a suburban development with some urban characteristics and it would be a suburban area even if you took all the chains and replace them with indys.

And no, I have never lived in Portland or Seattle, but have been to both many many times. Plenty of chains in their urban areas. Probably more than KC.

KCMO, I'm not trying to be your enemy. I want the same things as you do. I love KC. I've worked as a social worker in downtown KC.

I'm not so sure about that. Reading your posts tells me you and I have very different opinions and that's fine, I respect that. But I will voice my differing point of view.

I've also traveled this country and world. Maybe I am wrong but I think you think that a strong urban core means strong white populace and I have a serious problem with that.

I'm not even sure what you mean by this. We are not even discussing gentrification urban areas with white people, we can't even come to an agreement on what is "urban" , however, feel free to elaborate on your thoughts more. KC is very segregated. I'll give you that. But I'm not sure where you are going with that topic.

Six miles from DC and six miles from KC is VERY different

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by Mauidreemn

Six miles from DC and six miles from KC is VERY different

Again, your one sentence replies have nothing to back up what you are trying to say. There is nothing to even reply to here. The plaza, like silver spring is a secondary business district and both are urban. If you can actually tell me why that's not the case go for. I'll assume you can't.