KCRag Forum

Here are some shots of the street-level retail spaces.

mlind wrote: So, while it's a great idea, for some reason it doesn't seem to work...

...in san francisco.

FangKC wrote: I wish this developer would also buy that vacant building on the NW corner of 10th and Oak that Nick Abnos owns and hasn't finished, and incorporate it into his development plan.

Does that guy finish anything?  It seems like his name is attached to all sorts of unfinished projects around town.

Abnos is the guy who puts studs on the walls in the basement, but never finishes it. 

scooterj wrote: Does that guy finish anything?   It seems like his name is attached to all sorts of unfinished projects around town.

 I was going to type exactly the same thing.

In any event, I've always loved the Pickwick Building and thought it was a unique glimpse into KC's past and part of central downtown that most people do not venture into.  It's a wonder it's still standing.  Hope the developer has the ability and funds to do it justice.

FangKC wrote: Abnos is the guy who puts studs on the walls in the basement, but never finishes it.   :lol:

Is Abnos the guy who puts the horrendous "modern" finishes on buildings such as the Valentine Shops on SW Trafficway? There is another building with his hallmark finishings on Main. That is, if this is the guy I'm thinking of.

Yes same guy.  He has to be one of the city's worst developers!

mlind wrote: In the financial district of San Francisco, I swear there is a Walgreens on every block.  So they would seem to be inclined to go into the area you're suggesting.

Also, every new condo/apartment/office development in the SF Bay Area always has to include ground floor retail.  And most of those spaces have remained empty, even before the recession. So, while it's a great idea, for some reason it doesn't seem to work. I don't know why.

That's an obsessive compulsive unrealistic policy.

The Pickwick Hotel and Bus Terminal building is for sale for $350,000.

http://www2.locationone.com/(S(0mvoab45 ... gId=786503

With the tight rental vacancy downtown and rising lease rates, hopefully apt developers will bite on this and Folgers building.

FangKC wrote:The Pickwick Hotel and Bus Terminal building is for sale for $350,000.

http://www2.locationone.com/(S(0mvoab45 ... gId=786503

that seems insanely cheap.

It says $350 million. That is insane.

Surely that is a mistake?

$3M seems more likely.

does the city own this?

smh wrote:Surely that is a mistake?

Mistake....yep

Insane....yep

city.....nope

kboish wrote:does the city own this?

Something called the Ritz Asset Group Pickwick LLC owns it.

Just asking b/c the EDC is the contact on that site linked to.

wonder who is behind that LLC.

It looks like both properties owned by the LLC still owe last year's taxes.

I'm not going to publish personal information, but plug the LLC name into Jackson County's Tax Payment database. There should be two properties. Take the address from one of the tax records (since it's the same on both) and search for it.

Did anybody ever buy the Pickwick when it was put up for sale in 2007? As a newcomer to Kansas City, the imaginary line between walkable downtown KC and slightly sketchy downtown KC is Grand Blvd (not sure why, but that's how I see it in my head). The news this week of the Argyle Building is encouraging, but if I could choose one building east of Grand that I would love to see renovated, it would be the Pickwick Plaza complex...such an interesting building.