AS AN AREA SOMEWHAT FAMOUS FOR BEING BETWEEN THE DOWNTOWN CORE AND THE WELL-KNOWN PLAZA, MIDTOWN SOMETIMES FAILS TO GAIN THE RESPECT IT DESERVES. THAT IS CHANGING.

 

One reason is that the area is increasingly eyed for development growing from surrounding areas, especially the increasingly dynamic Crown Center District and areas such as Hospital Hill to the north.

The best example may be the former Trinity Lutheran Hospital, now the Park Reserve Condominiums following Phase I completion of a $16 million residential conversion. Though slowed by the currently weak condominium market, this long-planned project near 31st and Main Street is under way on its eight-acre property.

The significance for Midtown is evident in the Park Reserve’s location. Virtually next door to the still-new Federal
Reserve Bank and just uphill on Main from Crown Center and other development there, Park Reserve sights a new direction for Downtown growth into a Midtown area that still contains relatively affordable building opportunities.

The project’s first phase contains condominiums starting at about $140,000. Another significant Midtown development involved Children’s Mercy Hospital’s purchase of a building at 3101 Broadway for $5 million. The 10-story building, which will house a number of pediatric outpatient clinics and offices, will be called Children’s Mercy Broadway. Renovation began in late 2009 and the facility is expected to be open in late 2010.

When the economy improves, the condominiums, Children’s Mercy project and even the Federal Reserve are likely to be only the first projects that are located between the Plaza and Crown Center.

Other areas include some of the most diverse residential and commercial development in the urban core. One example is the popular corridor of restaurants and other businesses on west 39th Street just east of state line
and the University of Kansas Medical Center. On the south end, the Westport area is also continues as a popular residential and entertainment area.