Status and future of the River Market area??

[chaglang]

The CID is already aligned to return with new trees once construction is complete.

What size trunk? It's always sad to see decent sized trees cut down and replaced by twigs that will take decades to properly replace what was there.

[FangKC]

Yes, the CID should buy more mature trees as replacements. I also hope that the CID has a plan to water them regularly until they "take."

So many street trees simply die because no one cares for them after transplantation. Street trees are under more stress to get started because they usually have a small collection basin where rain can penetrate. I see so many new trees planted around the City that simply die because no one waters them after transplantation, and if there are dry spells, it kills them off quickly.

I also saw something on This Old House that an arbor specialist said about how most street trees are improperly planted to begin with, so they are programmed to fail from the day they are planted.

One of the major reasons trees fail is because they are planted in poor soil conditions. The cities planting them do nothing to improve the soil at planting. There is also not enough soil volume.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0 ... 97,00.html

http://www.deeproot.com/blog/blog-entri ... hem-around

http://www.deeproot.com/blog/blog-entri ... s-movement

[FangKC]

This is an example of a street tree planted on Delaware between 4th and 5th Street.



The conditions in which this tree exists make it programmed to fail, or at least have a struggle ever become a mature street tree that lasts for decades. The water cachement area is much too small to sustain this tree as it grows larger. There is really no reason that the brick sidewalk needs to go up so close around the tree trunk. It should be more like this below.



The other problem is the brick border around the tree. The up-ended bricks raise the water cachement area above the sidewalk, and those up-ended bricks also are a barrier to water running off the sidewalk into the water cachement area. The only water the tree gets is what falls into that small square area, or if some property owner, or the CID, waters it regularly in sufficient amounts.



Why they felt the need to brick in this narrow part of the sidewalk, and not make it part of the water cachement, is beyond me?



These street trees at 2nd Street and Delaware were done the way it should be done.



We have way too many morons making decisions about things like this. I don't know who to blame: the architect or planner who designed this revamp of Delaware, who didn't understand how street trees survive, and allow for enough water cachement area, or the City planning office who didn't require a larger water cachement area.

Basically, this is an example of wasting money even putting a tree there, because it will eventually die and need to be replaced. Most the the trees along Delaware don't have large enough water cachement pits. It's a shame, since had they been put in, it would have reduced water drainage into storm sewers. This City has a plan to reduce storm run-off, but this situation still exists, so I don't think they are really committed to it.

The situation could easily be fixed just by removing the bricks around that tree and making sure that water can run off the sidewalk into the cachement area.

So, if you care about having trees along Delaware, the neighborhood needs to address these problems, or most of the trees will die anyway.

[FangKC]

Here is an example of programmed street tree failure. The water basin for this tree is simply too small, and the tree has died after it reached enough size that the water it required was more than the small water basin could provide it.





These trees that were planted when the Populous Headquarters was built have already died. There are five threes along there, and two have died--a 40 percent failure rate. I predict additional failures as time goes on.



The sad thing is that if those trees are replaced, the responsible party planting them will most likely not do it correctly then either. The problem that caused the tree failure will not be remedied.

I would also wager a guess that no one ever fertilizes the trees once they are planted. Street trees need to be fertilized, because they cannot gain organic nutrition from falling leaves and other dying plants that exist in a natural setting--like a forest.

[swid]

Il Lazzarone opens today; I'm already trying to decide if if I should go tomorrow or Friday (I'd go tonight if I didn't already have dinner plans).

[smh]

Il Lazzarone opens today; I'm already trying to decide if if I should go tomorrow or Friday (I'd go tonight if I didn't already have dinner plans).

Had lunch here today. The pizza is fantastic.

[DaveKCMO]

amazing night at il lazzarone. packed house. this place really livens up that block. great pizza, too! check the bar in back with an alley entrance.

[bobbyhawks]

This may have been addressed in an earlier post, but I am still perplexed enough to post...

Beignet, a place where you buy breakfast pastries opens at 9:00 AM? I stopped by this morning at 8:40 and was looking to buy some for the office and couldn't. For KC, I'm a late arriver at 9 AM, so I can only imagine how much business they are leaving on the table by not being open earlier. The Coffeehouse, however, was packed.

[grovester]

From everything I've read about the owner of Beignet and his other endeavors, restauranting seems to be more of a hobby.

[rxlexi]

Beignet, a place where you buy breakfast pastries opens at 9:00 AM? I stopped by this morning at 8:40 and was looking to buy some for the office and couldn't. For KC, I'm a late arriver at 9 AM, so I can only imagine how much business they are leaving on the table by not being open earlier. The Coffeehouse, however, was packed.

Did you check out Bloom bakery? They're more of a true "breads and pastries" bakery anyway, and make great stuff.

Beignet does...beignets, and is more of an eat-in, brunch/lunch kind of spot, probably not ideal for grab and go for the office. Still, your point is valid.

To second Dave's endorsement of Il Lazzorone - I had an espresso at Quay Coffee after work yesterday and even then it was pretty packed, and the smells wafting out the door were amazing. Already seems like a vibrant addition to Delaware; exactly what the block has needed for years, especially once the patio gets going. I'll have to try very soon.

[bobbyhawks]

I'm not sure how many on here are members of Cellar and Loft, but they have crafted quite a nice following (been told they have over a thousand wine/scotch/beer club members). The prices in the store are not the greatest if you compare to Gomers or Costco, but they give discounts to club members and really make an effort to bring in unique wines, beers, and scotches. Furthermore, members get some pretty nice perks.

The weekly Friday/Saturday wine tastings are a nice fallback when you aren't yet sure of your plans, and there is a pretty good crowd in the basement each weekend I've been. They are free to members and $5 for non-members. They also do beer tastings, scotch tastings and periodic classes. The best deal in the area is on Monday nights. Members can buy an entire large pizza with two toppings (that is actually pretty good) and get a bottle of wine for $10, every week. The wine is far from the best, but drinkable, and the price just for the pizza alone is great. Non-members, I think, can get a pizza and bottle of wine for $15. I should mention that is to go or in-house, and any bottle purchased can be opened in-house for no markup on the to go price.

[ThorsteinVeblen]

Went to Il Lazzarone with friends after the 1st session of Big 12 games ended yesterday. Place was busy, pizza was great, and the wine list was affordable with lots of of options. Ended up having two pizzas and two bottles of wine and the price for everything was very affordable. We will definitely be going back, have to imagine they will take some business away from Cafe Al Dente.

Bobbyhawks,

Wife and I have been members at Cellar and Loft for 3 years, highly recommend people go check it out if they haven't already. Wine tastings are free to members and they have lots of stuff and deals going on throughout the week.

[awynhaus]

Il Lazzarone opens today; I'm already trying to decide if if I should go tomorrow or Friday (I'd go tonight if I didn't already have dinner plans).

Sorry I made you go to the Rieger

Il Lazzarone on Friday was pretty fantastic. I'd like to go when I can enjoy a pizza with some meat on it. The service was pretty good considering that the Big 12 was happening and it was their first Friday open. The pizza was terrific. Definitely will be a goto for the pizza.

[WinchesterMysteryHouse]

All of this information regarding the trees is exceptional. Good to know. Thanks!

[FangKC]

You want to see a city that does street trees really well--for the most part--Google street view downtown Oklahoma City. Especially the film district on Sheridan Avenue.

[KCMax]

Trio to open escape-room game business in River Market

Live action escape room games are based on the popular online games. About five years ago, real life versions began popping up in Asia and then Europe and the U.S. One corporation already has 20 locations in the U.S. and Europe....

Now they are in final negotiations to lease space for a metro soda shop, Kansas City Soda Co., and plan to launch their own line of sodas later this year.

With Henrich as a partner in Breakout KC, they plan a mid-April opening for the 1,600-square-foot entertainment facility at 114 W. Third St., Suite 102.

[zonk]

Looks like this address is the same building as Market 3 at 3rd & Wyandotte.

[kboish]

KCATA has put out an RFP to develop their Park and Ride lot at 3rd and grand. Considering who owns this and the location of the property- I've got pretty high hopes for an awesome TOD happening here.

http://www.kcata.org/procurement

[flyingember]

KCATA has put out an RFP to develop their Park and Ride lot at 3rd and grand. Considering who owns this and the location of the property- I've got pretty high hopes for an awesome TOD happening here.

http://www.kcata.org/procurement

they're moving very quickly on this one compared to most downtown projects and they want to have a vested interest to make money off it. that's a great sign. and look who's on the project selection committee

Issue Date: Mar 23, 2015
Closing Date and Time: May 01, 2015 8:00 am

Opportunity Type: Request For Proposal

The KCATA is seeking a qualified developer or developers to create a high quality development on 1.8 acres located at the northeast corner 3rd Street and Grand Boulevard in the River Market area of KCMO. KCATA will consider multi-family, office, retail or any other development that contributes to the River Market neighborhood, the betterment of KCMO and supports or enhances public transit.
PROJECT CONTACT: Sean O’Byrne, Vice President, Downtown Council, 1000 Walnut, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64106, (816) 421-1539

key items from the pdf:
http://www.kcata.org/documents/procurem ... andRFP.pdf

The KCATA wishes to remain in the development and receive a long term revenue stream for the organization. This revenue stream can be in the form of a proposed land lease, a joint venture position or other developer proposed agreement that minimizes liability and provides long term revenue to the KCATA

The developer selection process will be conducted according to a single review and award process, by a Selection Committee consisting of representatives from the KCATA, Downtown Council and the City of Kansas City, Missouri. The selected project(s) will be subject to a development agreement with specific performance benchmarks. Proposals are to be submitted no later than May 1, 2015.

...

Project Overview
The proposed project should integrate transportation services and create an urban design framework that will:
• Promote high-density development that will be a catalyst for continued economic growth.
• Be integrated with the surrounding neighborhoods, and provide for greater connectivity with the region and amenities to improve the quality of life
• Be a multi-modal transportation connection and transit park and ride facility with improved amenities and access that can increase transit ridership
• Create a premier transit-oriented development site for the Kansas City region.

...

Parking:
The site currently contains a 193 space public parking facility. This is an agreement between the KCATA and the City of Kansas City. This agreement expires April 30, 2019 with ninety (90) days prior written notice. Presently, there is no charge to park, except when there are River market events and no overnight parking is allowed. Proposed development must honor the agreement or negotiate with the City and the KCATA to alter the arrangement.

[DaveKCMO]

They are NOT moving quickly. The project started in January 2013.