H&R Block Construction Photos

scooterj · Post by **scooterj** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 6:41 pm

Since construction if the H&R Block HQ and the 1st block of the Power & Light District is expected to start next week, I am opening this thread as a place where, once work begins, I will post frequent photos throughout the construction process. I'll try to post photos every time there is enough of a change to be of interest. To start off, here's two final pre-construction photos of the Block block. The first shows the entire block (pardon the bad cropping job, I turned the camera to fit the whole block in one frame rather than have to splice 2 images together), and the second is a final look at the buildings scheduled to be knocked down as soon as next week.

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 6:57 pm

scooter...awesome. I'll delete this comment after you see it but anyway you can also get an entire district shot so we can use it to see the arena and entertainment grow or you want to do that seperate. Only reason I ask is after the H&R block starts rising, that current shot won't get anything but the base.

Whatever they were doing at the goldmine smelled like 100 year old stale beer...very yummy when running.

scooterj · Post by **scooterj** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 7:32 pm

Well, my original plan to try to take shots from the exact position at regular intervals isn't going to be able to happen for logistical purposes. Not only is it just too difficult to do, I'm likely going to be moved to a higher floor in a few months and my vantage point will change.

So, with that said, I'll probably post some wide shots from time to time once a second construcction site gets going, and will definitely do separate shots of each site.

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 7:33 pm

cool. I have a webcam in the works possibly with another member so we'll get this baby covered.

kurtiebird · Post by **kurtiebird** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:57 pm

Hey, I just noticed something. Is that a moving truck outside American Formalwear? Can anyone confirm if those guys are finally out of the way?

Thanks,
Kurt

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 2:06 pm

yeah they've been moving stuff out for about a week

kcteen · Post by **kcteen** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 2:11 pm

out of the building, yes. But i am not sure they are out of the picture yet--isnt there a possiblity they may sue the city? Or was that other people that got imminient domained?

kcteen

Missionite · Post by **Missionite** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 2:41 pm

I thought I heard they were moving to Mission. I think it was in the Biz Journal.

Matt

scooterj · Post by **scooterj** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 3:54 pm

I heard Waldo myself, unless they weren't able to get the building they wanted.

KCLofts · Post by **KCLofts** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 4:33 pm

I think Missionite is correct. I seem to recall seeing that in the Biz Journal as well. I believe that the city was trying to get them to move into the old BrandsMart location on Gregory, but they said it was too expensive.

kurtiebird · Post by **kurtiebird** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 4:56 pm

Looks like Mission it is (5330 Martway):

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascit ... 567897.htm

Damn, what a whiner:

[quote]â€œRight now they have a tall fence around us; it looks like we are in jail,â€

scooterj · Post by **scooterj** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 5:21 pm

Yeah... I respect the guy for not leaving downtown when everyone else did, but I have no pity for someone who claims this was all sprung on him at the last minute when his land has been in a redevelopment district for the past 7+ years and the H&R Block project was announced last December.

I prefer Andri Udris's quote:

[quote]â€œWe want to make sure he has enough time to get out, because we're not kicking him out onto the street. But on the other hand, he doesn't look like he's a person ready to move,â€

scooterj · Post by **scooterj** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 6:43 pm

Day 1 - 9/15/2004:

Prompty this morning they began preparing the land for development. Most of the surface parking has been scraped away and the footprint of the new building is already visible. Several windows were also removed from the old buildings in preparation for their demolition.

Closeup of the HQ portion of the block...

American Formal Wear left a bunch of crap behind to add to the demolition pile. Not very clear in this photo (but clear through binoculars) I can also see lots of boxes stacked up on the second floor.

As others have mentioned driving down 14th Street right now is like entering/exiting a prison. Only that far right lane between the fences is open, and it will close at the end of the month. Anyone know why the block to the south is also largely surrounded by a construction fence? Is that portion of P&L Live soon to begin development too?

[/b]

Post by **chrizow** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 6:44 pm

this is so awesome to see. all those lame surface lots - - - gone!

kurtiebird · Post by **kurtiebird** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 7:00 pm

Scooter, awesome pics. Thanks for taking these. I can't wait to start working at the Town Pavilion. I'll be on the 32nd floor, so I should have a good view of this too.

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 7:16 pm

yeah I wondering that too about the block to the south being fenced off. That block was a possiblity for the first res. tower.

OK can you keep that exact pose for 18 months so we can have weekly shots and put them together for a time lapse?

scooterj · Post by **scooterj** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 7:28 pm

I can try.

If they do move me upstairs later this year I'll try to sneak back down for updates.

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 7:32 pm

well by the time they move you up, you'll need to be higher for better views of the rising tower...we can account for that. Just keep us rich in pictures....at least until I can get the webcam where it can be used.

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 7:58 pm

I'm following this for the people on SSP in this thread...using Scoot's pics if he doesn't mind

http://www.skyscraperpage.com/forum/sho ... adid=54545

kucer · Post by **kucer** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 8:17 pm

kurtiebird...are they moving everybody out of 4900 Main to Town Pavillion?