Capping the Loop

[KCRoyal]

I want to add my two cents here. Very excited about the project itself. I know this has been mentioned on this thread before, but I would really love to see a signature fountain in the heart of the downtown. I'm all for a playground for the kids, but to dedicate a whole block? How about a fountain like they have in Dallas' Klyde Warren Park with a downsized playground. Probably won't happen, because of cost and probably infrastructure issues, but you can bet it'll be the crown jewel for the city of fountains.

Here's a video of the Klyde Warren fountain in Dallas:
https://youtu.be/RMchCP0USaE?feature=shared

[Cratedigger]

If it makes a difference that was phase 2 of Klyde Warren Park. The first fountain they built in Dallas was much closer to what we have mocked up in Kc.

[moderne]

In this climate fountains are operable only 7 months out of the year. The only one I know that does not look awful in the winter is the Bloch fountain. For a fountain in this project I would rather see a small one that is heated for year round operation, like the ones at Crown Center. For a signature piece, a sculpture could offer that impact people are seeking.

[herrfrank]

In this climate fountains are operable only 7 months out of the year. The only one I know that does not look awful in the winter is the Bloch fountain. For a fountain in this project I would rather see a small one that is heated for year round operation, like the ones at Crown Center. For a signature piece, a sculpture could offer that impact people are seeking.

A heated fountain is a good idea. I am still thunderstruck that the Meyer Circle fountain was never out-of-service once from the 1960s until 1990, when it was "refurbished" during the circle realignment (why they had to take the sculptural font away was always a mystery), but since its return circa 1995, it has been disabled twice for three+ years each time because the operational vault froze. Presumably technology improved in fountain maintenance in those decades as well.

The last time Meyer was frozen, those of us just on the Kansas side were asked to contribute (and did) tens of thousands to its upkeep. It would be cheaper to design to heat these things properly from the get-go. Or we give certain parks maintenance over to a donor-managed foundation like in NYC.

[FangKC]

For the capped park fountain, it seems like the simplest thing to do would be to mix cool water with heated water from the downtown steam plant. The infrastructure for that is already in place.

[Cratedigger]

In this climate fountains are operable only 7 months out of the year. The only one I know that does not look awful in the winter is the Bloch fountain. For a fountain in this project I would rather see a small one that is heated for year round operation, like the ones at Crown Center. For a signature piece, a sculpture could offer that impact people are seeking.

A heated fountain is a good idea. I am still thunderstruck that the Meyer Circle fountain was never out-of-service once from the 1960s until 1990, when it was "refurbished" during the circle realignment (why they had to take the sculptural font away was always a mystery), but since its return circa 1995, it has been disabled twice for three+ years each time because the operational vault froze. Presumably technology improved in fountain maintenance in those decades as well.

The last time Meyer was frozen, those of us just on the Kansas side were asked to contribute (and did) tens of thousands to its upkeep. It would be cheaper to design to heat these things properly from the get-go. Or we give certain parks maintenance over to a donor-managed foundation like in NYC.

What sculptural font?

For the capped park fountain, it seems like the simplest thing to do would be to mix cool water with heated water from the downtown steam plant. The infrastructure for that is already in place.

+1

[langosta]

Sounds complicated and expensive

[DColeKC]

Sounds complicated and expensive

And heavy.

I’d like the park to have one but please figure out how to keep the homeless out of it.

[TheUrbanRoo]

The park design they've come up with is perfect. It'll be a much better draw the with the items it has right now than just a fountain. It'll be the darling of the 2026 World Cup, 100%

I think a fountain is something that should be in play for Phase 2 of the South Loop Cap, when they extend it two more blocks.

[shinatoo]

You can have fountains without pools; reducing the weight, and freezing concerns, dramatically.

[DColeKC]

You can have fountains without pools; reducing the weight, and freezing concerns, dramatically.

Solid idea. More like the Crown Center style.

[shinatoo]

You can have fountains without pools; reducing the weight, and freezing concerns, dramatically.

Solid idea. More like the Crown Center style.

One a year.

[chingon]

In this climate fountains are operable only 7 months out of the year.

Patience, grasshopper. We have a plan to fix that.

[Cratedigger]

Construction of an urban park at Interstate 670 to add green space and remove the divide created by the construction of the highway ($314 million).

https://www.transportation.gov/briefing ... bility-and

Project listed on the DOT's recent announcement. I'm assuming that the $314 million reflects the total project cost of this now.

[DaveKCMO]

Sounds like it's also including the new Cordish towers ("protected parking") and Barney Allis Plaza (?).

[TheUrbanRoo]

Sounds like it's also including the new Cordish towers ("protected parking") and Barney Allis Plaza (?).

Barney Allis?

[Cratedigger]

Sounds like it's also including the new Cordish towers ("protected parking") and Barney Allis Plaza (?).

If that is the case, then they might be underestimating the all in cost. Going off the most recent price estimates, those 3 initiatives would be just over $350 million dollars.

South Loop Cap - $217 million reported by KMBC in September

Barney Allis Plaza - $112.5 million estimated by the city in August

Cordish Garage - ~$20-25 million based on the $17.5 million approved for 3 Light in 2018

[FangKC]

https://www.instagram.com/p/C1amAOmLNyk ... _copy_link

I looked at this photo today and was wondering if there is a way to disassemble the arch portion of the bridge. It could then be reassembled and lit up over the deck park.

[KC_Ari]

I think it would be awesome and unique. It hearkens to Kansas City's origin as a river crossing city. Someone get the Mayor and City Manager on the phone. I assume this is related to the city's effort to save parts of the bridge since the park plan fell through?

[WoodDraw]

I don't believe modot would love that