OFFICIAL: Port Authority Riverfront Project

[KCPowercat]

My mind anything on the riverfront would need to be more flexible and usable by all when an event is not happening unlike sandstone.

[DColeKC]

Was on a call Friday where this project was discussed. I found the description of the beer garden, bar/restaurant and live music facility upsetting. Especially when it was said the music venue would be an outdoor covered “plaza” with capacity up to 5000. So basically, a smaller “live” block in the power and light district.

Seems like a massive waste of city money to create a competitive space a few miles down the road. This is a small market and we don’t need to similar city backed projects fighting each other for revenue.

I certainly think a beer garden and some kind of outdoor stage or pavilion would be great for the area but them attempting to create a 5000 cap venue with national acts makes me nervous.

What downtown KC really needs is a 14-16k outdoor music venue to finally put the stamp on Sandstone. The riverfront would be perfect for this and doesn’t compete with any other downtown music venues.

If Berkley, of all places, is a threat to the p&l, then p&l must be on the verge of total collapse

A 5,000 capacity venue is direct competition to the Live block. There are only so many national acts looking to book 5k cap venues in a concert season.

I’d be equally as concerned if they wanted to build a 3500ish indoor venue as well as being a threat to The Midland.

It’s just not smart or needed.

[DColeKC]

My mind anything on the riverfront would need to be more flexible and usable by all when an event is not happening unlike sandstone.

I like the idea of a Red Rocks style amphitheater that’s open to the public when not in use. Granted we can’t compete with that natural beauty of Red Rocks but there are ways to build these things so they’re not locked up fortresses when no events are happening.

[KCPowercat]

How about this and we reach out to a sister city to help us build a signature "tower"?

https://www.chinaturm.de/

[DColeKC]

I’d rather see a large place like sandstone go in south of 18th and vine to help tie in the area if you put it down near 22nd shouldnt be so close to the residential that it is annoying

I like the idea of Berkley because much like Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville, you orient the stage facing the Northeast firing the sound out across the river and into industrial areas with higher decibel limits. Ascend could serve as a perfect model.

[Riverite]

How about this and we reach out to a sister city to help us build a signature "tower"?

https://www.chinaturm.de/

Sprichst du Deutsch?

[beautyfromashes]

A 5,000 capacity venue is direct competition to the Live block. There are only so many national acts looking to book 5k cap venues in a concert season.

So, Cordish thought they were going to get a massively subsidized venue in a prime location AND the city removing any form of competition to it?!?

[normalthings]

I suspect doing any construction along the water is close to impossible. The upper bank (where the walkway is) is a federal levee.


Riverfront should focus on sports and recreation. Add some bleachers by the volleyball. Increase the size of the outdoor gym (it’s always crowded on summer nights). Add a few basketball and futsal courts.

[Chris Stritzel]

I suspect doing any construction along the water is close to impossible. The upper bank (where the walkway is) is a federal levee.


Riverfront should focus on sports and recreation. Add some bleachers by the volleyball. Increase the size of the outdoor gym (it’s always crowded on summer nights). Add a few basketball and futsal courts.

Having gone to the Berkley Riverfront several times, I think a focus on sports and recreation should take center stage along with housing and workplace. Make this area a "healthy living" area. I call this a "Live-Well Neighborhood". Have sports and recreation facilities and trails available at any time. Put a small format grocery store up there somewhere. Promote walkability a bit more (especially since the streetcar is coming). And get a company to open an office there that agrees with those types of goals.

But as for an entertainment venue, I don't like that idea. You could have something small for movie nights and small concerts (like the ones held recently at Liberty Memorial). Just nothing big like Power and Light District's concerts. A balance can be struck between the two.

[KCPowercat]

Seems like merging interests with the casino for any large concert space would be an easy funding source.

[DColeKC]

A 5,000 capacity venue is direct competition to the Live block. There are only so many national acts looking to book 5k cap venues in a concert season.

So, Cordish thought they were going to get a massively subsidized venue in a prime location AND the city removing any form of competition to it?!?

You’re not very smart are you?

Why would the city put money into two competing projects that will fight for the same dollars? We all know the city chips in millions every year due to piss poor predictions. Why toss money into another project that will just increase that contribution?

[DColeKC]

Seems like merging interests with the casino for any large concert space would be an easy funding source.

Precisely.

[normalthings]

Seems like merging interests with the casino for any large concert space would be an easy funding source.

Precisely.

Is it too noisy with the highway and rail yard ?

[KCPowercat]

I'd say it would still go west of the bridge in parcels 8 or 9 but yes it might be too much noise.

[beautyfromashes]

Why would the city put money into two competing projects that will fight for the same dollars? We all know the city chips in millions every year due to piss poor predictions. Why toss money into another project that will just increase that contribution?

And when does that TIF expire?

[Walker]

The Ise of Capri surface parking lot is about 10 acres. Sandstone is 7-8 with support spaces.




Dashed Blue represents new concrete wall to block interstate noise along the west. The grading required for a performance space would net extra soil that could be used to construct a sound berm to the south(red line). Another option would be to build the site up using extra soil from projects at Berkley Riverfront.

[DColeKC]

Why would the city put money into two competing projects that will fight for the same dollars? We all know the city chips in millions every year due to piss poor predictions. Why toss money into another project that will just increase that contribution?

And when does that TIF expire?

In 20 years.

[normalthings]

I envision this will be a lot closer to the Grinders vibe.

[flyingember]

The Ise of Capri surface parking lot is about 10 acres. Sandstone is 7-8 with support spaces.




Dashed Blue represents new concrete wall to block interstate noise along the west. The grading required for a performance space would net extra soil that could be used to construct a sound berm to the south(red line). Another option would be to build the site up using extra soil from projects at Berkley Riverfront.

No wall that short in length would block interstate noise. It would just go around the wall.

Interstate noise travels, 1/3 of a mile away is quite common

[DColeKC]

This area is perfect and this quick drawing is to scale.

Local outdoor music venue capacities.

Crossroads KC - 3200ish
KC Live - 5000
Starlight - 8000
Berkley Riverfront Amp - 14,000 - 20,000 depending on how much of the grass area you keep for spectators.

Casino should love this location considering they could generate parking revenue and guests before and after the show.
Room for additional parking in the park.
Facilities could be shared with VB courts including bathrooms and a bar/restaurant.
Stage faces towards the interstate and industrial areas, so no major noise issues.
Could be designed to be open to the public when not in use. The stage would seal up, but the audience area and green space would be wide open.