What Businesses For KC Live??

KCK · Post by **KCK** » Sat May 15, 2004 4:59 am

We have talked a lot about a thriving entertainment district surround KC Live, so my question is, what kind of businesses do you guys think would be successful in making that area thrive? I mean what restaurant/kind of restaurant specifically? What kind of stores or attractions specifically? The area isn't small, so quite a few businesses will be needed. I expect the typical strip mall stores are not what one would desire in the area, so Great Clips, and The UPS store are out.

tat2kc · Post by **tat2kc** » Sat May 15, 2004 12:18 pm

I think we will definately need a mix of things that will appeal not only to tourists, but also to residents and local folks. I'd like an internet cafe. A good news stand. A few sports related places, like an ESPNzone, and perhaps a NASCAR restaurant. I'd love to see a few jazz clubs simliar to what you'd see on Bourbon St. That is, clubs with great live music, but with the exterior walls to be all doors, so that in good weather they can be opened wide so that people walking by can hear the music and see the band playing, and have it create some excitement on the street.

I'd love to see a nice mix of restaurants, from local small cafes, to nationally known places. It needs to have a mix of things that can appeal to people of all income levels, from 5 star elegant restaurants, to keeping Little Jake's BBQ.

I was thinking the other day that it might be cool to have KCUR and KCPT (the public radio and the public television folks) have a combined broadcast facililty downtown, with studios that you could see from the street, along with a cafe that would broadcast both the TV and the radio shows. You could have TV monitors outside showing the TV show broadcasting at the time, and maybe a ticker showing the latest headlines from NPR and BBC radio. You could have a gift shop in which you could buy some of the tapes of the shows you like, or books and materials that have been hightlighted on the various shows. This would definately be different from what you'd see anywhere else. I'd love to down there on a friday afternoon, listening to NPR's science Friday, hear something really interesting, and walk to the gift shop and pick up the book they were currently discussing.

KC_Fan · Post by **KC_Fan** » Sat May 15, 2004 2:29 pm

tat2kc wrote:I was thinking the other day that it might be cool to have KCUR and KCPT (the public radio and the public television folks) have a combined broadcast facililty downtown, with studios that you could see from the street, along with a cafe that would broadcast both the TV and the radio shows...

This is an excellent idea. I suppose KCUR and KCPT have thought of something like this, but what if they haven't? Anyone know any contacts there?? It wouldn't hurt to send this suggestion.

I recall walking past a sports radio station in downtown Chicago when two talkshow hosts were on the air - it was really cool, there were people hanging out listening to the live radio broadcast while watching the guys talking.

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Sun May 16, 2004 10:24 pm

810 was talking about something just like this.....not sure it what extent just heard them talking with the sports commission guy about it.

Types of retailers? They've already stated 70% will be restaurant or entertainment (ie. bars) and 30% retail...there is a lot of talk of that 30% retail being things that residents have been asking for....a drug store would be perfect...could serve tourists and residents alike.

trailerkid · Post by **trailerkid** » Sun May 16, 2004 10:55 pm

Umm...hello??? KMBC 9? This could've been them with steetside studios and a ticker. They still would've gotten massive TIF...I guess they're just dumb.

KCK · Post by **KCK** » Mon May 17, 2004 7:29 am

KCPowercat wrote:810 was talking about something just like this.....not sure it what extent just heard them talking with the sports commission guy about it.

Types of retailers? They've already stated 70% will be restaurant or entertainment (ie. bars) and 30% retail...there is a lot of talk of that 30% retail being things that residents have been asking for....a drug store would be perfect...could serve tourists and residents alike.

Do you think a chain drug store, or a privately owned one? Times like this, I wish I had become a pharmacist, imagine the MONEY!!!!

Missionite · Post by **Missionite** » Mon May 17, 2004 12:17 pm

Tat, I never even thought of a NASCAR Cafe. That would be nice. There are only six of them out there, all in the eastern US except for the Las Vegas location. NASCAR is a big thing in KC and it would be kind of funny if downtown landed a NASCAR Cafe and not Village West.

I ate at the one in Orlando and it was fun. I'm not a big NASCAR fan, but the experience was unique.

I can see it now...a NASCAR Cafe, ESPN Zone and Hard Rock Cafe all downtown. That's something that no other city but Orlando and Vegas can brag about.

Of course, BBQ needs to be represented as well. Arthur Bryants, KC Masterpeice and other lcoal BBQ joints need to make their presence known in the district.

Matt

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Mon May 17, 2004 12:24 pm

I'll vote no for the NASCAR cafe....put that out by the racetrack.

Post by **dangerboy** » Mon May 17, 2004 1:54 pm

KCPT just finished a big remodel of their Midtown studio, so it's doubtful they will have the desire or money to relocate any time soon. KCUR is part of UMKC, and would likely stay near the campus. Besides, neither station has enough live, local programming to make this worthwhile. Most of the time you would be looking at an empty studio while the station broadcasts the national feed.

810 or something similar would be cool, although 810's owners recently built a brand new studio complex in southen Joco. The old Entercom facilities in Westwood might be a better candidate for relocating.

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Mon May 17, 2004 1:59 pm

danger...I think they were talking about something smaller than their whole offices.....maybe the arena or KC Live could have a radio/tv stage that could be used by all the media as they desired....not sure if something like that would be feasible or not.

trailerkid · Post by **trailerkid** » Tue May 18, 2004 3:33 am

OK here's a burner for KC/Power & Light Live....

Hard Rock Hotel and Cafe

Crazy? Maybe not. Cordish is currently the developer for two Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Florida. In addition, Hard Rock has official plans for a downtown Chicago hotel and a San Diego hotel in the Gaslamp District. They seem to be in expansion mode...

trailerkid · Post by **trailerkid** » Sat May 22, 2004 7:10 pm

Someone get Cordish on the phone for this...

It makes perfect sense. Entercom can display all their studios and formats in the heart of the entertainment district next to bars, music clubs, sports bars, and a new arena. It's a perfect fit to add over 200 jobs to KC Live in addition to putting Entercom in a high profile location.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entercom considers move to KC
Jim Davis
Staff Writer

Entercom Communications Corp. is looking at moving its offices and radio studios to Kansas City from Westwood, an official of the Economic Development Corp. of Kansas City said Friday.

Stan Counts, an EDC business development officer, estimated the project at $8.5 million and said it would involve about 230 employees. Entercom is studying the building at 3822 Summit St., Counts said. He said the search is in an early stage.

Cindy Schloss, Entercom's Kansas City market manager, said through a spokeswoman that no decisions have been made. Schloss was not available to elaborate.

Counts said a relay tower would need to be built to accommodate Entercom at the Kansas City location. The company currently is at 4935 Belinder Road.

Entercom operates eight stations in Kansas City: KMBZ-AM 980, KUDL-FM 98.1, KQRC-FM 98.9, KYYS-FM 99.7, KRBZ-FM 96.5, WDAF-FM 106.5, KCSP-AM 610 and KXTR-AM 1660.

Mike Posten, a broker with Colliers Turley Martin Tucker who represents the building owner at 3822 Summit St., said he has been told that Entercom also is examining two locations in Kansas. Posten said he last talked with Matt Levi, a broker with Block & Co. Inc. who's representing Entercom, on May 21.

Levi declined to comment.

Uniformed Services Benefit Association owns and occupies the building at 3822 Summit St. Posten said the insurance company would relocate if it can strike a deal with a buyer or tenant.

The one-story structure near Southwest Trafficway just west of Westport contains 61,695 square feet, according to Colliers' Web site, which sets the asking lease rate at $16.50 a square foot, for a total of slightly more than $1 million.

Mike Klamm, another Colliers broker marketing the building, said he has shown the space to Entercom but is continuing to market it because no contracts have been signed. The offering price for a sale is $3.2 million, Klamm said.

USBA provides insurance and other financial products for military personnel and federal employees. USBA bought its building in 1978, the company's Web site reports.

REACH JIM DAVIS at 816-421-5900 or jdavis@bizjournals.com.

Â© 2004 American City Business Journals Inc.

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Mon May 24, 2004 9:52 am

I agree trailer, that's exactly what I was thinking....wonder what their timeframe is...maybe looking to move into an exisiting structure quicker than something could be built in or around KC Live

trailerkid · Post by **trailerkid** » Mon May 24, 2004 12:38 pm

KCPowercat wrote:I agree trailer, that's exactly what I was thinking....wonder what their timeframe is...maybe looking to move into an exisiting structure quicker than something could be built in or around KC Live

It's chance of happening is probably in the single digits, but the timeline wouldn't be that off. Cordish will be in the design and tenant selection phase for the next 8 months and then a groundbreaking. If Entercom wants a new building, I don't see how they could hop on a project faster than what is going on with Cordish. Who wouldn't want to partner with KC Live?

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Mon May 24, 2004 12:41 pm

yeah but the building they are targeting now is already built...that's the only reason I was thinking timing.

QueSi2Opie · Post by **QueSi2Opie** » Tue May 25, 2004 11:19 am

I had a chance to check out Bayou Place (a Cordish development) in Houston and I wasn't too impressed. Yes they had a Hard Rock Cafe, Have A Nice Day Cafe, Bar (Houston brand), Angelika Film Center, etc., but the area seemed dead on the outside. As a matter of fact, every place in downtown Houston was busy with pedestrians EXCEPT Bayou Place. I truely hope they allow drinking outside at KC Live and make the district much more pedestrian friendly than their Houston district.

Anyhow, I think KC Live should negotiate with the guy that owns the Aquarium restaurants in Houston (in Bayou Place) and on the Kemah Boardwalk. These restaurants not only offer good seafood, they offer nightlife, amusements, and a glimpse in the world of marine life. With a restaurant like this, KC wouldn't have to pursue an aquarium anymore.

http://www.kemahboardwalk.com/restauran ... index.html

http://www.downtownaquarium.com/home.htm

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Tue May 25, 2004 11:25 am

how big is Bayou place? When I was in houston I drove by but never really stopped in. Where was it again..guess I can look at a map and see.

trailerkid · Post by **trailerkid** » Tue May 25, 2004 11:28 am

According to Cordish, Bayou Place in Houston only cost $22 million and converted a convention center into an entertainment center. It also included a 3,000 seat amphitheater. I'm not sure if it is a fair comparision with what could happen in KC although it does represent their development style. In KC, they are going from the ground up.

Also, I almost think we would be better off going with a nice indie movie complex instead of trying to do a typical megaplex. I like the idea of having a sleek, modern theater complex showing cutting edge movies in KC Live. You could get Angelika Film Center or get Dickinson or AMC to design a special, indie house.

kcteen · Post by **kcteen** » Tue May 25, 2004 12:50 pm

a new downtown theater would be a great location for the KC Jubilee (currently at cinemark) and other local film festivals. Other than the Tivoli, all the good art theaters are way out in bland parts of joco (Rio, Glen, etc) and are not good destinations or in a fun neighborhood.
Consolidate them downtown and get those festivals downtown where people can see a film and go to a bar while waiting for the next one.

kcteen

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Tue May 25, 2004 3:20 pm

NOW is the time to contact the tenants you want to see. Email them, call them, write them...tell them you want them. They listen.

Here's the comment email for espnzone, I just emailed them

ESPNZone - comments@espnzone.com

Anybody else feel free to put down contact information for companies so we can begin letting them know we want them in KC Live!