Gladstoner wrote:
Being a homeowner near Antioch Mall, I'll be glad if the area just ends up better than the nearby gawdawful North Oak (.... thrift store - quick cash - pawn shop - thrift store - quick cash - pawn shop .....). Actually, I'd be quite happy with JoCo-style design-abortion crapscapes with parking lagoons. Still, I wish they could have stuck with the original redevelopment plans.
I just feel it's sort of a more temporary solution that will end up becoming exactly what it was before faster than it would have if some thought had been put into it but you're right. Anything would probably be better than what's there now.
I was under the impression that Gladstone's plans for the North Oak area were to attempt to create some sort of a town square like atmosphere since they don't have an actual square. By the looks of this plan for Antioch it sounds like North Oak project will be a much nicer one in the end. At least I hope.
I'm still wondering why nothing has happened at Renaissance. I know it's not in Gladstone but it's often associated with it by the unknowing. It will most certainly have an impact on Gladstone if it ever becomes anything more than that little statue at the entrance.
Thrillcekr wrote:
I just feel it's sort of a more temporary solution that will end up becoming exactly what it was before faster than it would have if some thought had been put into it but you're right. Anything would probably be better than what's there now.
I was under the impression that Gladstone's plans for the North Oak area were to attempt to create some sort of a town square like atmosphere since they don't have an actual square. By the looks of this plan for Antioch it sounds like North Oak project will be a much nicer one in the end. At least I hope.
I'm still wondering why nothing has happened at Renaissance. I know it's not in Gladstone but it's often associated with it by the unknowing. It will most certainly have an impact on Gladstone if it ever becomes anything more than that little statue at the entrance.
The latest plan for the Gladstone "town center" seems pretty cool, that is if they can pull it off and actually make it cool. See:
In any case, I do get tired of crap sitting around vacant looking ghetto while they try to decide what they want to do, be it Antioch, Renaissance, or North Oak.
Wow. There's so MUCH PARKING. It's almost fetish-level. I think I'll buy another car and leave it there just because I can park! We must all park! We can have Chiefs game tailgate parties without the annoying game! When we're cold we can all go stand on the miles of hot asphalt!
But I forget, there'll be stores! Boy, I hope there's a Sprint AND Cingular store! And maybe a Payless!
Ok, I have to stop now. I'm getting cynical enough that my vision blurred there for a moment. This area is much closer to me than Zona. I was really excited by the original proposal. Now it looks like it will resemble the Target plaza just to the south of Antioch and 35. Tried going through the demographics, but not sure what to look for. Do they just not support the added cost of actual architecture?
That site plan is pretty bad. The Sears store there was high up in the chain's sales leaders, but that's the best they could do? It seems like a nicely redesigned Antioch Center could've put the nail in Metro North's coffin, but it looks like just another crap power center with a few small shops clustered around it.
When I was a youngster, my step-father was the first general manager of Antioch when they enclosed it. I remember visiting the site as they were putting the roof on it. They used to have these banners hanging from the ceiling in the food court (I haven't been there forever so I'm not sure if they are still there)... but I remember watching those go up. There was also a tunnel that went under the mall from around the bowling alley - and came out in the Sears garage. That was where we always parked and took a staircase upstairs that came out in the hallway near the mall office. Wow.... memories... haven't thought about this stuff in 25 years.
A little trivia for you all.... the old Showbiz Pizza (now the Chuck E Cheeze) was the first Showbiz in the country. It was a couple of brothers that started it - and they had a falling out and one of them started Chuck E Cheeze - which eventually won out. I worked there in High School - whey they changed from "Showbiz" to "Chuck E Cheeze". I helped with the transition - re-skinning all of the animatronics from the old Rock-A-Fire Explosion to the Chuck E Cheeze characters. As we were doing the work - the animatronics had a serial number of "00001" on them.
10-7 wrote:
When I was a youngster, my step-father was the first general manager of Antioch when they enclosed it. I remember visiting the site as they were putting the roof on it. They used to have these banners hanging from the ceiling in the food court (I haven't been there forever so I'm not sure if they are still there)... but I remember watching those go up. There was also a tunnel that went under the mall from around the bowling alley - and came out in the Sears garage. That was where we always parked and took a staircase upstairs that came out in the hallway near the mall office. Wow.... memories... haven't thought about this stuff in 25 years.
A little trivia for you all.... the old Showbiz Pizza (now the Chuck E Cheeze) was the first Showbiz in the country. It was a couple of brothers that started it - and they had a falling out and one of them started Chuck E Cheeze - which eventually won out. I worked there in High School - whey they changed from "Showbiz" to "Chuck E Cheeze". I helped with the transition - re-skinning all of the animatronics from the old Rock-A-Fire Explosion to the Chuck E Cheeze characters. As we were doing the work - the animatronics had a serial number of "00001" on them.
Just a little Antioch Center trivia.
Wheres the trivia? Is it about the serial number...otherwise I dont have a clue
What's graciously given to KC, is strong for the region as a whole. Passion and benevolence will one day exeem towards all whom know true adoration. We shall triumph to better the community as One within THINK (ONE) KC.
No..... my trivia fact was that the old "Showbiz" at Antioch mall was the first one in the country..... I thought some of you who are Northlander history buffs might find that interesting.
10-7 wrote:
No..... my trivia fact was that the old "Showbiz" at Antioch mall was the first one in the country..... I thought some of you who are Northlander history buffs might find that interesting.
Oh ...somewhat...
I see trivia...and I think incoming question...but I guess thats more of an FYI...thanks anyways...now a trivia question...what was the name of the HYVEE at north oak and englewood...before it was a hyvee or gordmans...any ideas?
What's graciously given to KC, is strong for the region as a whole. Passion and benevolence will one day exeem towards all whom know true adoration. We shall triumph to better the community as One within THINK (ONE) KC.
10-7 wrote:
It used to be 1/2 price store. And the other big store there was Phar-More.
phar mor, thanks, thats what i was thinking...just couldnt remember the name of that place...
What's graciously given to KC, is strong for the region as a whole. Passion and benevolence will one day exeem towards all whom know true adoration. We shall triumph to better the community as One within THINK (ONE) KC.
10-7 wrote:
When I was a youngster, my step-father was the first general manager of Antioch when they enclosed it. I remember visiting the site as they were putting the roof on it. They used to have these banners hanging from the ceiling in the food court (I haven't been there forever so I'm not sure if they are still there)... but I remember watching those go up. There was also a tunnel that went under the mall from around the bowling alley - and came out in the Sears garage. That was where we always parked and took a staircase upstairs that came out in the hallway near the mall office. Wow.... memories... haven't thought about this stuff in 25 years.
A little trivia for you all.... the old Showbiz Pizza (now the Chuck E Cheeze) was the first Showbiz in the country. It was a couple of brothers that started it - and they had a falling out and one of them started Chuck E Cheeze - which eventually won out. I worked there in High School - whey they changed from "Showbiz" to "Chuck E Cheeze". I helped with the transition - re-skinning all of the animatronics from the old Rock-A-Fire Explosion to the Chuck E Cheeze characters. As we were doing the work - the animatronics had a serial number of "00001" on them.
Just a little Antioch Center trivia.
Ah the memories of playing Skee-Ball at Showbiz birthday parties!!! I grew up off of Chouteau so I spent a lot of time in that mall. It's really sad they haven't really tried to make it a destination shopping area.
Back in 2003, Northland leaders envisioned a revamped Antioch Center that would help stimulate business and revitalize the surrounding area of Vivion Road and Chouteau Trafficway.
Roughly four years later, leaders are grappling with financial plans after learning that the $82.7 million project was denied a state tax increment financing of $8 million. In May 2006, the state legislature budgeted the money in an appropriations bill, but several months later the state Department of Economic Development turned down the request. The department of economic development has the last word in dispensing state TIF money.
The project does have a Kansas City TIF of $24.2 million and the developer is investing about $39.7 million.
10-7 wrote:
When I was a youngster, my step-father was the first general manager of Antioch when they enclosed it. I remember visiting the site as they were putting the roof on it. They used to have these banners hanging from the ceiling in the food court (I haven't been there forever so I'm not sure if they are still there)... but I remember watching those go up. There was also a tunnel that went under the mall from around the bowling alley - and came out in the Sears garage. That was where we always parked and took a staircase upstairs that came out in the hallway near the mall office. Wow.... memories... haven't thought about this stuff in 25 years.
A little trivia for you all.... the old Showbiz Pizza (now the Chuck E Cheeze) was the first Showbiz in the country. It was a couple of brothers that started it - and they had a falling out and one of them started Chuck E Cheeze - which eventually won out. I worked there in High School - whey they changed from "Showbiz" to "Chuck E Cheeze". I helped with the transition - re-skinning all of the animatronics from the old Rock-A-Fire Explosion to the Chuck E Cheeze characters. As we were doing the work - the animatronics had a serial number of "00001" on them.
Just a little Antioch Center trivia.
i worked at show biz when i was going to winnetonka. it sucked. wow, that was like 27 years ago. hah!
Why is corporate welfare better than public socialism?
Minor correction to the tunnel item. It did not start at the bowling alley but rather beside the TG&Y's lower level (it was quite the place with both an upper and lower level).
The original Antioch Center was quite small. It faced Vivion Road. There was a Thriftway grocery store which competed with the Casio across the street and a Safeway located diagonally. The anchor tenant was W. T. Grant. There was also Collins' Cafeteria (better known as Thelma & Pappy's), a Crown Drug store (complete with luncheonette and soda fountain) and of course a Velvet Freeze on the southwest corner. There was also Harold's Barber Shop, Steve's Shoes, and a couple of smaller businesses on the side which later became Chouteau. Antioch Center Pharmacy was there, also
The first major expansion was started only a few months after the original section opened. That's when the TG&Y was built along with Kroger's and a bakery. Under the concrete center section was a roller rink that later became the Antioch Branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library.
Antioch Center was perhaps unique in that they built another section when they got another couple of tenants. I heard the number of expansions and it was something like sixty or more by the time they completed Antioch Annex across the street.
im2kull wrote:
Oh ...somewhat...
I see trivia...and I think incoming question...but I guess thats more of an FYI...thanks anyways...now a trivia question...what was the name of the HYVEE at north oak and englewood...before it was a hyvee or gordmans...any ideas?
