Plaza move-ins (ongoing)

[Midtownkid]

Yeah, the traffic on Bellevue and Roanoke/Madison is very unfriendly to pedestrians there. But that's solvable, and who knows, it might actually get solved as the Polsinelli/West Edge come online and bring some more activity to that corner of the Plaza. Did we every figure out who owns the grassy field north of Roanoke at 47th? That would seem to be one of the city's prime greenfield sites. ...

Highwoods owns the grassy triangle plot north of 47th Street.

That is a prime spot for a thoughtful, mixed use project. Whole Foods, other retail, apartments and offices. Could be a series of buildings, stepping up as they ascend the hill. Kind of like a more attractive version of the West Edge

[FangKC]

Yeah, that spot is ripe for redevelopment. I think the right architectural design could make a big statement there. It's an odd-shaped parcel, but one can see many great examples of triangular shaped structures in Europe and New York City. Sometimes this kind of parcel can actually create a more special focus than a traditional square lot.

[chaglang]

Yeah, that spot is ripe for redevelopment. I think the right architectural design could make a big statement there. It's an odd-shaped parcel, but one can see many great examples of triangular shaped structures in Europe and New York City. Sometimes this kind of parcel can actually create a more special focus than a traditional square lot.

And - because parking always comes up - there are knockout panels on the south face of the garage that Bernstein-Rein is in.

[KCMax]

The new Bo Lings on the Plaza in KC. With dim sum, street grill and noodle bar. Quite a step up from the beloved orig.

https://twitter.com/partmax/status/2126 ... 65/photo/1

[earthling]

Looks sharp for Plaza type places. But for all that effort into the decor, the ceiling sure is plain.

[KCMax]

Lockton’s Plaza lease extension gets Kansas City aid after all

An ordinance scheduled to go before the Kansas City Planning, Zoning & Economic Development Committee on Wednesday calls for the city to issue $13 million in Chapter 100 bonds to support the insurance brokerage’s decision to extend its lease on the Plaza.

[loftguy]

Looks sharp for Plaza type places. But for all that effort into the decor, the ceiling sure is plain.

If I'm admiring the ceiling, then I've had too much Tsing Tao.

[PumpkinStalker]

Looks sharp for Plaza type places. But for all that effort into the decor, the ceiling sure is plain.

If I'm admiring the ceiling, then I've had too much Tsing Tao.

[earthling]

Went for lunch. The place looks pretty good as Asian contemp goes. And the ceiling for most part is the exposed black duct thing, with white ceiling over bar - looks good.

Was hoping the food quality would be an upgrade from old Bolings location but it wasn't. Compared to SE Asian, Chinese is kind of boring but this was pretty bland. I had a ginger spinach/shrimp/chicken on rice thing that was just OK. Friend did moo shu shrimp and it was pretty bad. No bamboo shoots, cabbage was soggy as if a week old or canned, served with burned plum sauce. The old location always had a problem burning the plum sauce. Oh well, it has a wide menu and maybe they do something well, but places with large menus tend not to do any item well. City Market location seemed better but can't base on one visit. For mainland Chinese, Blue Koi is more interesting as it's a fusion with other things.

[KCMax]

The owners of Kansas Sampler are setting up a pop-up store on the Plaza for the All-Star Game called "Majestic Baseball Store"

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/06/25/36 ... t-new.html

[KCPowercat]

I put this on twitter but seems like they should have done this in the P&L as well....seems like a no brainer.

[bobbyhawks]

I put this on twitter but seems like they should have done this in the P&L as well....seems like a no brainer.

I can't fathom how Cordish doesn't have a KC gift store in the empty slot between Cosentino's and the nail salon. With minimal build out, they could pay some clerk peanuts to sell BBQ sauce and baseball caps.

[KCMax]

Last May a worker at the REI in St. Louis mentioned to me that a KC store was in the works. Of course, that doesn't mean much coming from a worker, but I've had my fingers crossed. Moosejaw is just as good imo, although I have never been to one of their brick and mortar stores... Hope Local Yeti is prepared for some competition.

Kevin Collison reports on Twitter REI is coming to the KC Metro area. Doesn't say where.

[earthling]

Biz Journal says on 135th in OP..

http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n ... ansas.html

[smh]

Biz Journal says on 135th in OP..

http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n ... ansas.html

I'm a bit surprised they've chosen a location so far from everywhere else. I just don't get it. I can understand not being on the Plaza (being an outdoor outfitter--although it seems to suit Moosejaw), but surely there are more desirable locations than 135th and Lamar--in the extreme southern portion of the metro.

[mgh7676]

That is disappointing. I was dreaming of an REI anchoring P&L retail (how awesome would a large rock climbing wall on the roof of the building be downtown).... That same development already has a Backwoods and had another outdoor store that went out of business a few weeks ago.

[thegeester68]

Sad. REI should definitely be an urban store.

[kcjak]

I don't think REI has a lot of urban stores in metro areas that aren't traditional outdoor meccas (i.e. snow skiing, hiking, etc.). But if the Austin area can support three stores, including a downtown store, maybe there's still hope. Whoever is in charge of leases at the Prairiefire development is doing a great job at getting some quality businesses. I know that JoCo has great demographics, but it makes one wonder if the leasing agents for P&L and Mission Gateway just don't have what it takes to make impressionable relationships with the REIs, Fresh Markets, etc. of the world.

[earthling]

Retailers often consider income within nearby radius as the highest factor. Downtown income is going up quite a bit but isn't nearly at the level of Plaza area (including Ward Parkway/Mission Hills) or S JoCo.

There's already MooseJaw/NorthFace on the Plaza, no surprise they went for S JoCo.

[warwickland]

I don't get REI, really, at least around here. In the midwest I guess it's for people who pretend they are far more outdoorsy than they are and think they are about to embark on an outdoorsy kick (or like a single vacation) and need new expensive equipment. I don't know. It looks good going into a clean german made car or subaru. I get 90% of my stuff from Cabelas or Bass Pro. I guess my philosophy is just to get outside, and don't perseverate over gear much. Living in the midwest, just getting to someplace worth getting to is enough of a challenge. People asking snooty questions about a $65,999 ultra light pack frame on a nice saturday morning is like the opposite of that.

However an urban store would be fun. Outdoorsy shops in urban locations are fun, I like to go to them and buy not outdoors stuff (or like a camelbak for booze).