OFFICIAL - Pennway Point

[GRID]

That portion of I-35 was not designed and built to be an interstate. It was a local expressway before the interstate system was a thing. I-35 later came in from Kansas and tapped into the SW Trafficway and used it as the interstate. Same with the west and north loops. The North Loop was originally the crosstown expressway or something like that which basically tied independence Ave to downtown KCK via the Lewis and Clark expressway.

The interstate system was born and these route segments were just renamed.

[Cratedigger]

Looks like the Western Auto Building isn’t the only thing in downtown KC with some lights out

[Cratedigger]

*sorry for the poor quality. But one of the spokes is out & The top bar was flickering white on and off when everything else on the wheel was red

[Chris Stritzel]

The wheel opens in November.
https://ingrams.com/article/kc-wheel-to ... -november/

Some details on the mini-golf and "wheel house" that'll be part of this...
https://www.newsbreak.com/kansas-city-m ... ttractions

[FangKC]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CyqmLZfuo1D ... _copy_link

[Chris Stritzel]

The power lines came down recently.

Next up, the billboards that litter the highways should be taken down. They ruin what is otherwise an interesting photo.

[GRID]

The power lines came down recently.

Next up, the billboards that litter the highways should be taken down. They ruin what is otherwise an interesting photo.

I wonder if there is anything the city can do to remove those giant billboards on I-35?

[DColeKC]

I agree it would be nice to have those billboards gone but can you imagine if you’re the owner and you’re forced to shut down over a Ferris wheel?!

I have no problem with the city using eminent domain when the reason is for a better and greater cause. Say for example a new baseball stadium.

[DMNBT_RCJH]

The power lines came down recently.

Next up, the billboards that litter the highways should be taken down. They ruin what is otherwise an interesting photo.

I wonder if there is anything the city can do to remove those giant billboards on I-35?

Probably not in the short term.

[GRID]

I agree it would be nice to have those billboards gone but can you imagine if you’re the owner and you’re forced to shut down over a Ferris wheel?!

I have no problem with the city using eminent domain when the reason is for a better and greater cause. Say for example a new baseball stadium.

Those billboards have always been a nuisance. They ruin the view of the city from the KC Scout and from other views from the southwest. I have tried editing them out of photos, but they are huge.

[dnweava]

The power lines came down recently.

Next up, the billboards that litter the highways should be taken down. They ruin what is otherwise an interesting photo.

I wonder if there is anything the city can do to remove those giant billboards on I-35?

Billboards have been illegal in KCMO for like a decade but those have been grandfathered in. They have been making deals where a company can put up a digital billboard if they remove multiple others.

[GRID]

The wheel in KC may be short, but look at Houston's haha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fMTaNYYvwE&t=675s

[Highlander]

The wheel in KC may be short, but look at Houston's haha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fMTaNYYvwE&t=675s

LOL. Listen on and there is a discussion of Houston tearing more of their urban core out to widen highways. Typical of that city.

[Cratedigger]

The wheel in KC may be short, but look at Houston's haha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fMTaNYYvwE&t=675s

LOL. Listen on and there is a discussion of Houston tearing more of their urban core out to widen highways. Typical of that city.

The city doesn't want it but TxDOT is pushing it through. Harris County even filed a federal lawsuit against TxDOT in 2021 over the project. $9 billion dollars straight through urban Houston and will begin next year.

[Highlander]

The wheel in KC may be short, but look at Houston's haha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fMTaNYYvwE&t=675s

LOL. Listen on and there is a discussion of Houston tearing more of their urban core out to widen highways. Typical of that city.

The city doesn't want it but TxDOT is pushing it through. Harris County even filed a federal lawsuit against TxDOT in 2021 over the project. $9 billion dollars straight through urban Houston and will begin next year.

Happy I no longer live there. The city has a long history of supporting highway expansion and ignoring other (and better) alternatives. Seems like they may finally be wising up but, again, to no avail.

[TheLastGentleman]

State DOTs have to be some of the most malignant institutions in the country. Imagine regularly demolishing parts of your own country’s cities and not realizing you’re the bad guys

[Highlander]

State DOTs have to be some of the most malignant institutions in the country. Imagine regularly demolishing parts of your own country’s cities and not realizing you’re the bad guys

A smaller scale but KC's own recent DOT idiocy.

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1082779 ... ?entry=ttu

[GRID]

State DOTs have to be some of the most malignant institutions in the country. Imagine regularly demolishing parts of your own country’s cities and not realizing you’re the bad guys

A smaller scale but KC's own recent DOT idiocy.

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1082779 ... ?entry=ttu

Very true. KCMO and MoDOt are still pretty stuck in the 60's when it comes to urban planning.

But good god Houston sucks. Outside the Buffalo Bayou recreational area and having some decent food, the city is just terrible on every level. Everything is just huge roads, everybody drives a freaking pickup truck and the suburban sprawl (much of which has become decaying blight) is endless. I have no idea what people see in that city.

[FangKC]

State DOTs have to be some of the most malignant institutions in the country. Imagine regularly demolishing parts of your own country’s cities and not realizing you’re the bad guys

Never underestimate the influence of unions, the real estate, engineering, and construction industry lobbies on state legislators, political parties, and political leaders. They are big funders of campaigns. Big highway projects benefit them and are job creators.

[Chris Stritzel]

From the Lumi Neon Museum thread...

This is so much better than an empty, industrial lot


Tentative timeline mentioned in the Star article:

No exact dates have been announced, but Bryant laid out a tentative timeline.

In 2023, aiming to open before the end of the year: The KC Wheel at Pennway (Ferris is trademarked) perhaps before Thanksgiving; a snacks and beverage area; Pennway Putt mini-golf course.

The first 40 or so signs of the Lumi Neon Museum could be lit as early as spring. Bryant said that over the next 12 months the “recreation/ hospitality” area will be built in several phases.

TaleGate Park is planned as a 30,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor venue created in and around the former Funkouser Machinery Co. depot building. It is to house an upscale burger and steak restaurant, Beef & Bottle. Upstairs will be Funk House, a sports lounge that includes five “sky boxes” with views of TaleGate’s indoor stage and TaleGate Garden, with outdoor games.

Barrel Hall is to be located just to the south, inside the 6,000-square-foot former Pennway Oil Co. building with its wood-barreled roof. Inside will be a Boulevard Brewery Taproom, Chef J. BBQ, The Bull Creek Distillery, and Würstl (a Viennese sausage stand).

A taqueria is planned near the Ferris wheel, next to an outdoor beach volleyball area.

In 2025, Bryant said, the former four-story Carter-Waters Co., building at 2440 W. Pennway will house retail and office space. A newly built boutique hotel at 25th Street and Pennway is envisioned for late 2025 or early 2026.

I'm looking forward to the Boutique Hotel component being revealed. It should tie everything together nicely. This project has a lot of cool things in it.