KANSAS CITY'S DOWNTOWN LOOP, THE CORE OF THE CENTRAL CITY, REMAINS A WORK IN PROGRESS—AND THAT'S A GOOD THING.

 

Although much of Downtown’s $5.5 billion renovation and construction has occurred within this key area, large pieces of land remain under-developed. That means room for progress, which continues—even in a tough economy.

The most visible effort involves a collection of surface parking lots and mostly dilapidated buildings that will become the largest single redevelopment Downtown surface-wise in years: East Village. With a roughly $340 million price tag, this project is planned to include roughly 600 residential units, retail and office.

Anchors for East Village include the $45 million J.E. Dunn headquarters, which opened in the fall. The city has begun key portions of its $12 million commitment to purchase and clear property in the area—a major step that must be completed before additional work can proceed. Early in December, the road seemed clear for a federal office building to serve as the other anchor, pending budget approval next year.

Other areas are doing even better. Before the economic crunch took root in 2008, Kansas City’s convention and hotel markets were well above previous years, while Sprint Center draws crowds to entertainment and sporting events. Major construction at Bartle Hall, the Entertainment District and other public and private work are all factors.

Some of the work here defies categorization, but illustrates the viability of the area. The Secret Service even located an Elec-tronic Crimes Task Force at 1150 Grand.

The biggest story may lie with smaller businesses. Cosentino’s grocery and two stunning theaters in the Power & Light District were significant additions. The 30,000-square-foot grocery was especially notable because it brought everything from catered foods to staples for Downtown’s growing population.

Even more dramatic are numerous independent efforts, from the Quality Hill Playhouse renovation to the Savvy Coffee & Wine Bar on Main, or the reincarnated Majestic restaurant on Broadway. These and others became part of Downtown during 2009. Most are small, entrepreneurial efforts although some, like the Quality Hill Playhouse, were the result of capital campaigns.

Other activities continued, even residential development. Gold Crown Properties is pursuing purchase and renovation of the 1930s-era Pickwick Hotel, which will be converted into 237 affordable apartment units. The development, which would also include an office and parking near Ninth and McGee, is planned with 23,000 square feet of commercial space and a 400-bay parking garage.

Some of the biggest news is just outside the area. The $280 million Paseo Bridge replacement will rework key elements of the Downtown’s freeway network. The Christopher S. “Kit” Bond Bridge also includes significant work to a key interchange on the Downtown side of the bridge. A related project will realign Front Street, which passes Riverfront Park and Grand Boulevard heading into City Market. The work will also connect directly with the Northeast Industrial District and Isle of Capri casino site with the south side of the Riverfront redevelopment site.

River Market continues to boast several projects of its own. One of the largest is Market Station Apartments, a 323-unit complex that opened in October 2009 at 240 W. Second St. developed by the Morgan Group Inc. of Houston, it stands as the largest new Downtown residential project since Quality Hill.

Just across the Broadway Bridge from Market Station, the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport is in the middle of several projects. The most dramatic may be the new Hangar 10 development that will house 25 businesses. Nearby, about $22 million in work is underway to allow better access to one runway and parallel ramp space for new hangars under construction. These projects, along with renovation of one runway, are part of a $70 million program to improve the facility that is the region’s key corporate jet port.