West Bottoms Redevelopment

[Zorobabel]

I've always thought it would be nice for the West Bottoms to be redeveloped into a technology park -- something akin to the riverside Neihu Technology Park in Taipei, an area of similar size and geography (effectively a flood plain) to the West Bottoms that currently hosts about 4,000 companies and 100,000 IT workers.

[FangKC]

Worker killed in building collapse in West Bottoms

http://www.kmbc.com/news/kansas-city/em ... z2RdWmz1gp

The address given was 1225 W. Eighth Street. Why were they tearing down this building. It looks fine to me.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=1225+W+8 ... .16,,0,0.6

[FangKC]

Worker killed in building collapse in West Bottoms

http://www.kmbc.com/news/kansas-city/em ... z2RdWmz1gp

The address given was 1225 W. Eighth Street. Why were they tearing down this building. It looks fine to me. It's the four-story brick building on the corner.

http://fox4kc.com/2013/04/26/worker-kil ... -accident/

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=1225+W+8 ... ,,0,-10.23

[KCMax]

I have heard that a soccer field complex is pretty close to coming to fruition down in the west bottoms with some of Bill Haw's property. Not sure if this is on the KCK side or MO side. I only mention that b/c it could be where they are trying to put the USMNT training facility.

The original plan was for youth soccer, but it may have evolved at this point.

[WinchesterMysteryHouse]

That building housed a collection of vintage recording equipment, audio-electronics and instruments. Cinder-block, solid enough to keep all of those valuables dry for years. I'd say it fell to plans.

[KCMax]

24 burger diner coming to West Bottoms - "Rockstar Burgers"

http://www.kansascity.com/2013/09/09/44 ... omers.html

[gem]

24 burger diner coming to West Bottoms - "Rockstar Burgers"

http://www.kansascity.com/2013/09/09/44 ... omers.html

Here's an image of the building and a little more information on "Rockstar Burgers".

http://www.kansascity.com/2013/09/03/44 ... urant.html

[bobbyhawks]

24 burger diner coming to West Bottoms - "Rockstar Burgers"

http://www.kansascity.com/2013/09/09/44 ... omers.html

That sounds great on the surface. Does anyone know if there will be a liquor license? Grandma's next door is pretty depressing, and I wouldn't be shocked if it is a front for a meth business, but at least there is a bit of momentum for that corner. Voltaire has become one of my favorite restaurants in town, and I would probably hit up the Genessee Royale more if it were open for dinner.

[KCMax]

Developer Adam Jones is ready to grow his biggest project yet

Adam Jones breezes into the West Bottoms building, which he co-owns with Jeff Krum, CFO of Boulevard Brewing Co. The Hobbs is the seven-story centerpiece of Jones' three decades spent remaking — often with his own hands — buildings and even whole blocks in the West Bottoms, the West Side and the Crossroads.

On the upper floors are 40 art studios, and on the lower floors, a series of high-profile nonprofit nameplates: Ripple Glass, Make It Right, Bridging the Gap, Metropolitan Energy Center. The first floor has been transformed into an event space.

"When we moved down here, it was no man's land," Jones, 53, says of the building he bought with Krum in 1997. "Now, the city has advanced socially and culturally. People understand this place is a lot better and are willing to take risks."

Developer Wayne Reeder is spending $30 million to redevelop three buildings, including a nine-story property at 933 Mulberry that he wants to turn into nearly 200 apartments. The Missouri Department of Transportation replaced the 12th Street bridge viaduct in July. The sidewalks and curbs in front of the Hobbs are among the dozens of blocks bettered by newly poured concrete.

Cool piece on Jones, who has done a ton for downtown.

[FangKC]

I was interested to see the mention of the redevelopment of the old Heim Brewery buildings in the East Bottoms.

[loftguy]

Developer Adam Jones is ready to grow his biggest project yet

Adam Jones breezes into the West Bottoms building, which he co-owns with Jeff Krum, CFO of Boulevard Brewing Co. The Hobbs is the seven-story centerpiece of Jones' three decades spent remaking — often with his own hands — buildings and even whole blocks in the West Bottoms, the West Side and the Crossroads.

On the upper floors are 40 art studios, and on the lower floors, a series of high-profile nonprofit nameplates: Ripple Glass, Make It Right, Bridging the Gap, Metropolitan Energy Center. The first floor has been transformed into an event space.

"When we moved down here, it was no man's land," Jones, 53, says of the building he bought with Krum in 1997. "Now, the city has advanced socially and culturally. People understand this place is a lot better and are willing to take risks."

Developer Wayne Reeder is spending $30 million to redevelop three buildings, including a nine-story property at 933 Mulberry that he wants to turn into nearly 200 apartments. The Missouri Department of Transportation replaced the 12th Street bridge viaduct in July. The sidewalks and curbs in front of the Hobbs are among the dozens of blocks bettered by newly poured concrete.

Cool piece on Jones, who has done a ton for downtown.

Adam has created a lot of things that make this city special. It would tire out the average person, just to read a summary.

He's an idea maven and he has made smart and solid partnerships.

Fierce good.

Don't give him any awards though. He hasn't got time to pick them up...

[grovester]

Totally impressed by the guy. Does he have a wikipedia page? Love to see the complete history of his projects.

[loftguy]

Totally impressed by the guy. Does he have a wikipedia page? Love to see the complete history of his projects.

Someday someone will corrall him long enough to capture most of it from him.

He probably couldn't do it in a day, though.

[chaglang]

Totally impressed by the guy. Does he have a wikipedia page? Love to see the complete history of his projects.

Someday someone will corrall him long enough to capture most of it from him.

He probably couldn't do it in a day, though.

We got him to speak to an AIA leadership group I was in. We walked into Foundation, and he started talking unprompted. 45 minutes later he finished talking and we all filed out.

[KCPowercat]

Walkability to the Bottoms needs an enormous improvement before I care to spread downtown development emphasis to yet another neighborhood.

Decided to check out The Ship on Saturday and two two different walking routes not named 12th street bridge which I already knew would be horrible...one down 6th street and on the way back Beardsley to 17th....both are harrowing at best. Although I will say the north part of Beardsley after coming off 6th street had a nice wide new sidewalk. Seemed like it was a sidewalk to nowhere but it was a start.

[FangKC]

The 12th Street bridge is horrible for the pedestrian. The sidewalks are way too narrow.

[KCPowercat]

The 12th Street bridge is horrible for the pedestrian. The sidewalks are way too narrow.

Which is why I tried two other ways. Equally poor.

[moderne]

Rebuild the 9th St incline! Make getting down to the WB a thrill ride.

[pash]

.

[mgh7676]

Maybe I missed this in another thread, but it seems to be a pretty great idea for development in the West Bottoms.

ut the American Royal has gone another step and laid out an ambitious idea to re-energize the entire area. The vision would utilize the new event center as the engine of redevelopment that anchors a broader community effort to attract agricultural and animal health headquarters to the area as well as epicurean retail shops and farm-to-table restaurants.

The vision imagines “opportunities for micro farms, cottage dairies, creameries, specialty food shops, wine tasting rooms, year-round farmers markets, juice shops, bakeries, candle makers, etc.” Where better to connect a neighborhood to fresh food and events than the West Bottoms of Kansas City?

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/reade ... rylink=cpy