18th and Vine

[warwickland]

anybody know what the story is with these structures at 19th and Vine? especially the one on the corner with the large (tin?) cornice and the 'dixie lan bbq' sign..

[Sparty]

I noticed that they finally installed or turned on the street lights in the district.  It used to be pitch black along the side streets off of 18th and along 19th.  They put in some super bright lights in the past week, making it much more inviting and visible all night.  However, it also shows how badley they need to replace the false store fronts with legitimate ones.  Also, what is the new bar going in on 18th?  Harper's or something like that.

[KCMax]

The Jazz District gets a manager from Ohio, who brings a questionable résumé.

The news was big: The JDRC had hired a businessman from Columbus, Ohio, to take over the management of the district and finally get some tenants for the vacant buildings. The man of the hour, Adam K. Troy, took the podium to boast that he'd find national retail chains to fill the storefronts — a claim that's been repeated by various 18th and Vine leaders for years.

Afterward, when Troy was asked what experience he's had with similar projects, he said: "Most specifically, the King-Lincoln District in Columbus, Ohio." Then one of his partners pulled him away.

In fact, Troy had a minor role in the King-Lincoln District project, which is widely considered a failure. In addition, several government figures, business leaders and community advocates in Columbus tell the Pitch that Troy and his companies have handled few projects — and nothing on the scale of the 18th and Vine district.

[tat2kc]

The retail and restaurant compenent of this project has lanquished for years.  There is no excuse for someone not busting their ass to get stuff in there.  And if they have, and after all these years, nothing, how much more money is the city gonna spend ?

[phna]

The retail and restaurant component of this project has languished for years.

I had a friend move into the apartments just above the negro baseball museum when the apartments where new--like 4 or 5 years ago. The apartment complex filled immediately, and the jazz bar was there from the beginning. With residents and entertainment in the area I thought this was well beyond the halfway point of total resurgence? So I am to understand this area now has a tepid pulse?

[shiprek]

it's not gentrification... it's landgrab

[chrizow]

it's gentrification... it's landgrab

k.

[shiprek]

sorry, i forgot to put the word NOT between it's and gentrification... but i just fixed it

[DaveKCMO]

was browsing the cimo website today and noticed this project:

Scope: This project provides preliminary design services to determine the basis of construction documents for landmark signs at the east and west entrance to the 18th & Vine Jazz District. The design will also include an outdoor terrace in the District.
Project Number: 890C0233
Project Location: 18th Street and Vine
Council District: 3
Project Status: Active
Project Status Note: Project is in negotiations for the design of construction documents.
Project Type: Streetscape
Planned Bid Date: Sep 04, 2007
Planned Construction Start: Nov, 2007
Planned Construction End: Apr, 2008

[tjokskalle]

  I say turn it into a red light district with legal prostitution and watch this place take off.

[cdm2p]

was browsing the cimo website today and noticed this project:

Dave - - do you always troll the CIMO website?

[warwickland]

is anything in that building i was pointing to a year ago?

[DaveKCMO]

Dave - - do you always troll the CIMO website?

yes, i do.

[Pastense]

is anything in that building i was pointing to a year ago?

Why not go to the district and find out?
Have dinner at the Peachtree and listen to some jazz at the Blue Room.

[tjokskalle]

  Of course i was joking about the prostitution although some jo co kansas men
would find that a bonus.
  We all know why the 18th and vine district is floundering and that"why" is "safety".
The 18th and vine area along with the general area surrounding it is known to be
crime and gang ridden.We need the help of the community and the police to clean
up the perimeters around the jazz district ;most people from the burbs wont dare stop
if they see vacant old buildings in disrepair.I personally love the jazz district and it can be so much
more.  Just my opinion

[KC0KEK]

  We all know why the 18th and vine district is floundering and that"why" is "safety".
The 18th and vine area along with the general area surrounding it is known to be
crime and gang ridden.We need the help of the community and the police to clean
up the perimeters around the jazz district ;most people from the burbs wont dare stop
if they see vacant old buildings in disrepair.I personally love the jazz district and it can be so much
more.  Just my opinion

Agreed. But another reason is that most local people don't care about jazz or its role in KC's history -- if they even know about that role. We don't even have a smooth jazz station, let alone one that plays the old school stuff.

[ComandanteCero]

Why not go to the district and find out?
Have dinner at the Peachtree and listen to some jazz at the Blue Room.

(dude's in St. Louis)

[warwickland]

Why not go to the district and find out?
Have dinner at the Peachtree and listen to some jazz at the Blue Room.

yup, i've done that! it was a good time!

[Pastense]

    We all know why the 18th and vine district is floundering and that"why" is "safety".
The 18th and vine area along with the general area surrounding it is known to be
crime and gang ridden.

That explains the folks that fill the Mutual Musicians Foundation for their 1-5 AM shows every Friday & Saturday night. They must not be in the "know" about the dangers of the district. Really, this is the east edge of the Crossroads! It has almost 200 new, occupied apartments, with more to come. The talk about crime and gangs seems outdated and misplaced.

[MightyKC]

I was at the Foundation last night and heard some great jazz as usual.  If you have never gone, it is worth the experience.  18th and Harrison.  As many of you know, they used to serve beer for a $3 'donation' but they got called out on it and lost that privilege.  They can now only serve beer upstairs until 3am.  Starting next month, on Charlie Parkers birthday, they will get their 24hr license back and again, start serving until 5am