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Kemper Arena - Demolition

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:58 am
by KC-wildcat
I heard that the demolition of Kemper Arena will be announced by City Officials today at 2:00pm.

Didn't know where to post this.

Re: Kemper Arena - Demolition

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 9:24 am
by chingon
When they announced the American Royal moving to SC, you knew it was coming. I really wish Sporting KC or the Stadia could go there. Hopefully they'll plant it in natives at least and keep it from turning into KC vacant scrub-woods.

Re: Kemper Arena - Demolition

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:00 am
by beautyfromashes
Why don't they turn it into a farmers market? The one in the River Market is so crowded in the summer and with Kemper you could make it year round. Could even have a butcher, etc.

Re: Kemper Arena - Demolition

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:02 am
by FangKC
The City is cutting its' loses with Kemper. It's too expensive to keep it going.

Re: Kemper Arena - Demolition

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:04 am
by chingon
Seem like oversaturation. We have a good market in a great location. If people want (more) indoor market space, it seems like it would be better to do it in its current spot.

That said, an enormous co-op garden/farm would be pretty amazing, especially one that partnered with local university ecology and agriculture departments, perhaps with some sort of kick-back to food banks and programs like Tulips on Troost or the Parks department.

I for one would love to see more ambitious city promotion of urban agriculture and vacant, isolated, bottomland with great access seems like a natural fit to me.

Re: Kemper Arena - Demolition

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:22 am
by KCMax
The rumor I heard is that Bill Haw wants to turn at least part of the land into a youth soccer complex. Seems like an odd fit to be honest.

Re: Kemper Arena - Demolition

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:33 am
by mean
Get some kids down there, play some soccer, and when the wind is right you can breathe deep the hydrogen sulfide of a thousand turds.

Re: Kemper Arena - Demolition

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:40 am
by AllThingsKC
It sucks to be losing a building that holds man great memories for the city. Many exciting events have occurred there.

Re: Kemper Arena - Demolition

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:41 am
by KCMax
There was an article in the Star on Sunday about the conversion of a building in the West Bottoms to a gallery by art dealer Bill Brady. The West Bottoms seems to be drawing a lot more artists these days - how can we capitalize on that with the demolition of Kemper?

Re: Kemper Arena - Demolition

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:53 am
by mean
I'm not sure that anything that can be done in a vacant, Kemperless lot will be as cool as what could be done with the building. It would presumably be cheaper, though.

Re: Kemper Arena - Demolition

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 11:01 am
by KCPowercat
More american royal bbq space.

Sad but probably needed...cut the losses.....seems like something cool could be done with all that space.....

Re: Kemper Arena - Demolition

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 11:30 am
by brewcrew1000
What about an outdoor amphitheater or something like that

Re: Kemper Arena - Demolition

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 12:12 pm
by KCMax
brewcrew1000 wrote:What about an outdoor amphitheater or something like that
Seems like we've reached market saturation with that with Sandstone, Livestrong Park, Starlight Theater and Grinders all serving as outdoor concert venues.

Re: Kemper Arena - Demolition

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 12:32 pm
by KCPowercat
Yeah lets think outside the box....like....a aquarium. &

Re: Kemper Arena - Demolition

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 1:03 pm
by heatherkay
Areas right around the arena are in the 100- or 500-year flood plain, but FEMA maps show that the area right around Kemper is in Zone C, which means minimal risk of flooding. It's got good rail and reasonably good freeway access. Lord knows there's parking. How about that IKEA or Target we've been talking about? Developed in conjunction with other amenities or even residences.

Re: Kemper Arena - Demolition

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 1:07 pm
by KC-wildcat
I heard that there are plans for the Kemper parcel. I believe it has something to do with the American Royal. Something equestrian. Parade grounds, maybe.

Re: Kemper Arena - Demolition

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 1:08 pm
by chingon
Getting a few architecturally abominable big boxes down there is a pretty decent idea. The kind of shit Portland is trying to do out by their airport.

Re: Kemper Arena - Demolition

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 1:15 pm
by KCPowercat
I almost fainted thinking of an ikea there.

Re: Kemper Arena - Demolition

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 1:15 pm
by heatherkay
KC-wildcat wrote:I heard that there are plans for the Kemper parcel. I believe it has something to do with the American Royal. Something equestrian. Parade grounds, maybe.
Really? I'd rather have flat-pack furniture and Swedish meatballs than horseys. I imagine a large percentage of people in the RCP would agree.

Re: Kemper Arena - Demolition

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 1:55 pm
by TheBigChuckbowski
KC-wildcat wrote:I heard that there are plans for the Kemper parcel. I believe it has something to do with the American Royal. Something equestrian. Parade grounds, maybe.
Outdoor rodeo arena?