KCRag Forum

'tonka. class of '81

I would imagine being that close to Red X and their liquor department didn't help Rimmans any.    Red X does a really good job with their monthly wine tastings, and they have a huge selection.  Not the upscale atmosphere, but..........
McCabes by Village West did close.  Very nice facility, but with the Kansas liquor laws, boutique stores have a hard time.  No wine tastings, etc.

Personally I think giving TIF's to Northland KC (south of Vivion Rd) are just as bad, or just as good, as giving TIF's to Overland Park (north of 87th St). Both areas have some blight, old rental property, abandoned strip malls, etc. However, I do realize that KC is a bigger monster than OP with a lot more blight issues to address (Eastside, parts of Midtown, and so on), but somebody has to be willing to invest in those areas first. Most people wouldn't risk it, PERIOD! That's why I think the city shouldn't be hesitating with the East Village and Bannister proposals.   

Other than that, TIF's south of Vivion aren't that terrible IMO if someone is willing to invest in new development.

GRID wrote:
If I were a developer in KC right now.  I would pack my bags and bolt this city faster than shit.

It is happening.  True story.

And there are many more who are starting to look elsewhere.

loftguy wrote: It is happening.  True story.

And there are many more who are starting to look elsewhere.

discuss.

loftguy wrote: It is happening.  True story.

And there are many more who are starting to look elsewhere.

great, someone finally turned off the tif tap.

chrizow wrote: discuss.

I personally know a developer that was going to do a project in downtown kc and now researching downtown st louis.  No way will I say who it is because I know some of you have to have "proof", but I am probably in touch with the development community as much as anybody on this forum and believe me.  KC has taken quite a turn in the past year as far as developers being pumped up and excited about taking a "risk" on KC.  It's not just the current mayor, or the economy, it's everything.  It's just they way the world turns I guess.

is STL throwing around tax incentives a lot as well, or is it more "purely" market-based?

GRID wrote: I personally know a developer that was going to do a project in downtown kc and now researching downtown st louis.  No way will I say who it is because I know some of you have to have "proof", but I am probably in touch with the development community as much as anybody on this forum and believe me.  KC has taken quite a turn in the past year as far as developers being pumped up and excited about taking a "risk" on KC.  It's not just the current mayor, or the economy, it's everything.  It's just they way the world turns I guess.

nice safe post. congrats.

loftguy wrote: And there are many more who are starting to look elsewhere.

if they truly loved this town, like many claim, they wouldn't be so easily swayed by a bump in the real estate market.

DaveKCMO wrote: if they truly loved this town, like many claim, they wouldn't be so easily swayed by a bump in the real estate market.

People in real estate development, who want to continue in development have to assess opportunities carefully.  One failure can end a career.

I love KCK, but in my assessment, viewing all the factors, the risk is too great for me to develop there.

To answer Chrizow from earlier, 3 developers have pulled in their horns and state it's the change in climate that caused them to look to other pastures. One was going to develop a crossroads building for his offices, the second was going to develop a River Market building into "affordable" condos (though there were a lot of challenges to that project, too), the third was a Denver housing developer looking for a larger renovation opportunity. 

Additionally, a long time, better known developer in downtown told me yesterday that "maybe I need to start looking at another town to develop in, this isn't all that much fun anymore".

I'm pissed.  I'm pissed that I read and hear news reports that say the world of real estate is in collapse, and I'm especially pissed that our mayor does not recognize his need to lead.  He can do much to alter the mood of our city by providing positive possibilities.(like the suggested speech that Fang provided in a thread earlier this week).

This change in public perception is not some fantasy cooked up by people who hate the Funk.  It's not developers creating a "he's out to get us" atmosphere.  It's a crisis that is not being handled by our head of the city, who appears to be adding to the creation of this scenario.

You will note that I have not said one thing about Funk through the many months he's been considered on this site.  I reserved my thoughts and have held out for him to come out with something positive for our city.  It's wearing thin, though.

it sucks real bad when they pull the rug out from under you and the freebies disappear.

i feel really bad for them. &&&

loftguy wrote: People in real estate development, who want to continue in development have to assess opportunities carefully.  One failure can end a career.

I love KCK, but in my assessment, viewing all the factors, the risk is too great for me to develop there.

To answer Chrizow from earlier, 3 developers have pulled in their horns and state it's the change in climate that caused them to look to other pastures. One was going to develop a crossroads building for his offices, the second was going to develop a River Market building into "affordable" condos (though there were a lot of challenges to that project, too), the third was a Denver housing developer looking for a larger renovation opportunity. 

Additionally, a long time, better known developer in downtown told me yesterday that "maybe I need to start looking at another town to develop in, this isn't all that much fun anymore".

I'm pissed.  I'm pissed that I read and hear news reports that say the world of real estate is in collapse, and I'm especially pissed that our mayor does not recognize his need to lead.  He can do much to alter the mood of our city by providing positive possibilities.(like the suggested speech that Fang provided in a thread earlier this week).

This change in public perception is not some fantasy cooked up by people who hate the Funk.  It's not developers creating a "he's out to get us" atmosphere.  It's a crisis that is not being handled by our head of the city, who appears to be adding to the creation of this scenario.

You will note that I have not said one thing about Funk through the many months he's been considered on this site.  I reserved my thoughts and have held out for him to come out with something positive for our city.  It's wearing thin, though.

Leave it to the people of Kansas City, MO to elect someone like Funkhauser Mayor, who threatens to undo everything that the city has accomplished right after electing one of their greatest Mayors in history and certainly their greatest Mayor in recent history, Mayor Kay Barnes, who delivered the Sprint Arena, and the downtown entertainment district.

It seems like a pattern. One ineffective mayor, one effective mayor, one ineffective, one effective. Emanuel Cleaver, Kay Barnes, Mark Funkhauser and on it goes.

what about berkley and wheeler?

Interesting.

At a large gathering in my neighborhood last night, the topic turned to Riman's closing and Briarcliff Village in general.

The bottom line after all the businesses were bashed one by one is that BV is "elitist" and "I dont' want to shop at any elitist places."

Do they shop at the Plaza tho?

That's elitist isn't it?

most people who complain about elite places/events, are probably jealous they're not elite enough to go there/afford it.

There is a new tower up.  Looks to be about 9 floors.  This is the office building right?  The hotel is a different structure?

according to the sign in front of the construction, this is (a very nice) office building.  i'm not sure where or when the hotel will start rising.

This is going to be very similar to the Lockton Valenecia office on the Plaza.  Would have liked something more contemporary  as a gateway to the city.