Poll: Does the Plaza need a drastic change, some change or on the right path?

[Chris Stritzel]

Are the garages at the Plaza built to support future construction on top? If not, some would probably have to come down or be heavily altered (as in cutting portions of the parking deck out to build new supports) to support building on top of them. It's a decent idea, but one that would probably be tricky to execute. And if new things were to be built on top of them, I would like to see them follow a Spanish-ish style. Don't make them too tall though.

[Riverite]

Are the garages at the Plaza built to support future construction on top? If not, some would probably have to come down or be heavily altered (as in cutting portions of the parking deck out to build new supports) to support building on top of them. It's a decent idea, but one that would probably be tricky to execute. And if new things were to be built on top of them, I would like to see them follow a Spanish-ish style. Don't make them too tall though.

I totally agree with the Spanish style, I think it would be nice if we had strict design requirements for the plaza interior. However anything surrounding they need to let it go. I find it would be more meaningful to have a strictly Spanish quarter, and the buildings around it to be normal, rather than the ridiculousness we have now where people are complaining about height and lack of spanishness on developments that want to go in at 45th

[Steve52]

Lived here 28 years. The Plaza has gone from a ultra pedestrian friendly area with no traffic lights, imagine that.. to a automobile and noise polluted mess.

Maybe it is time to slow down just a little bit and start doing a little damage control?

[earthling]

Examples of modern construction that may complement Plaza's Spanish architecture. Think of the upper levels of first pic on top of existing garages. Appropriate enough for Plaza? Maybe hire residential architects from Seville, Spain?

[normalthings]

I just wish they would develop that damned embankment on the north side of 46th Terrace.

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.0434561 ... 6656?hl=en

Bulldoze the entire center block with the Starbucks and rebuild it. It’s almost entirely parking on the most valuable piece of Plaza real estate

[normalthings]

Is it time for the bowl to go away? 10 floor max? 25 floor max? The 'Save the Plaza' crowd and some in neighborhood would probably fight that one. When the Boomers move on to next realm, might be better time.

On tearing down garages mentioned, most are pretty well hidden as it is (better than new downtown garages). May as well build on top, 6-8 floors might work w/out much of a fight.

10-15 floors is around the density of real life Seville.

[horizons82]

Bulldoze the entire center block with the Starbucks and rebuild it. It’s almost entirely parking on the most valuable piece of Plaza real estate

This, the garage at 47th & Penn, and the old halls are about the only places in the bowl I think you could demo and redevelop without all hell breaking loose. And even then Halls is probably a precarious proposition.

[beautyfromashes]

I still would love a beer garden, ala Hofbrauhaus in KC and the Plaza would be a good location. It would also make for another great event to have an Octoberfest in this city for the first time. Close off Nichols road for it in the fall and let people feel more comfortable having it pedestrian only and then switch to permanent.

[town cow]

normalthings wrote: ↑Mon Dec 23, 2019 7:06 pm

Bulldoze the entire center block with the Starbucks and rebuild it. It’s almost entirely parking on the most valuable piece of Plaza real estate


If shopping centers in Kansas City want good tenants (national or local) and shoppers they need parking.

[flyingember]

This, the garage at 47th & Penn, and the old halls are about the only places in the bowl I think you could demo and redevelop without all hell breaking loose. And even then Halls is probably a precarious proposition.

Halls isn't on the Plaza. They closed that store in 2014.

[earthling]

If free bus turns out to be a permanent metro wide service, the Plaza could probably lose some parking - as well as with free streetcar going by in 5 years or so. But for the most part, there would need to be a good amount of garage space for what is a regional draw and there's quite a bit. And even if Plaza turns part residential with less mall focus, it should still be a regional draw if a unique village with unique shops/eats. A pedestrian only street would also be a new attraction, especially if kept fresh with something new each year.

Those who are voting for Plaza to stay as a mall aren't being very realistic in the age of online shopping. Can change your vote above BTW. Will send this thread to Plaza owners again in Jan.

[horizons82]

This, the garage at 47th & Penn, and the old halls are about the only places in the bowl I think you could demo and redevelop without all hell breaking loose. And even then Halls is probably a precarious proposition.

Halls isn't on the Plaza. They closed that store in 2014.

Hence why I said the old halls building...

[flyingember]

This, the garage at 47th & Penn, and the old halls are about the only places in the bowl I think you could demo and redevelop without all hell breaking loose. And even then Halls is probably a precarious proposition.

Halls isn't on the Plaza. They closed that store in 2014.

Hence why I said the old halls building...

Yes, but Halls wouldn't be in a precarious position.

Apple on the other hand...

[horizons82]

Yes, but Halls wouldn't be in a precarious position.

Apple on the other hand...

Good lord dude, reread the post. I said precarious proposition not position, but thanks for the semantics.

[normalthings]

normalthings wrote: ↑Mon Dec 23, 2019 7:06 pm

Bulldoze the entire center block with the Starbucks and rebuild it. It’s almost entirely parking on the most valuable piece of Plaza real estate


If shopping centers in Kansas City want good tenants (national or local) and shoppers they need parking.

Most of the parking there is below ground or more towards the center of the parcel. I would propose rebuilding it so that you keep all those below ground spots but have more detail along the outside and residential above - if that makes sense.

[moderne]

Originally plans were to have an actual plaza on the Plaza somewhere in the vicinity of this block. Having a plaza might be easier to happen than making an auto street a pedestrian street, at least in autocentric KC. Am entire block openspace would be overkill here. How about clearing the block? Of any block in the historic Plaza this is the only one where all the structures are insignificant historically, aesthetically, and utility. Probably the garage needs replacing structurally anyway. Use the pit for a new garage, build 2 new 2 maybe 3 story (no taller than the old Halls, Saks or Barnes & Noble) retail/dining/whatever buildings each covering the west and east ends of the block--no empty corners. The middle third could be the plaza/pedestrian street.

[earthling]

Nichols Rd doesn't have much auto traffic anyway so could go away, 2-3 blocks anyway. And it's shut down for Plaza Art Fair every year so we have an idea how that plays out. That could essentially become The Plaza's Plaza. The Starbucks garage could be redeveloped though with something on top, perhaps with a better configured garage if really even needed. There are something like 14K parking spots on Plaza already IIRC.

[beautyfromashes]

^ How about deck it and make it something like Brit’s Pub in Minneapolis. https://britspub.com/

[DaveKCMO]

If free bus turns out to be a permanent metro wide service, the Plaza could probably lose some parking - as well as with free streetcar going by in 5 years or so. But for the most part, there would need to be a good amount of garage space for what is a regional draw and there's quite a bit.

Plaza ownership is convinced the streetcar will just consume all of their free parking and provide no benefit. Seriously.

[normalthings]

If free bus turns out to be a permanent metro wide service, the Plaza could probably lose some parking - as well as with free streetcar going by in 5 years or so. But for the most part, there would need to be a good amount of garage space for what is a regional draw and there's quite a bit.

Plaza ownership is convinced the streetcar will just consume all of their free parking and provide no benefit. Seriously.

Guess I will no longer be spending money there.