Hello Thursday.
March 28 2024
Think Shark Tank, but completely Kansas City-focused. 💡 Keystone Community Corp. is a nonprofit dedicated to bringing regional universities, philanthropic leaders, corporations + entrepreneurs together to plan, operate, and develop the downtown Kansas City community. Now, they’re making a $20 million real estate move.
The office space will cost $20 million. | Rendering via BNIM
The company, in partnership with J.E. Dunn, submitted a preliminary request with city planners for what will be Keystone’s first location — a 5-story “Keystone Innovation” office building at the northeast corner of 18th Street and Troost Avenue. Let’s discuss the details.
📍 Location
The property, owned by the Kansas City Transportation Authority, is the top contender for the project site with the following goals:
- To connect currently disjointed areas of the East Crossroads + 18th and Vine Jazz District.
- To break down decades of cultural + infrastructure barriers across Troost Avenue.
- To provide proximity to KC’s urban core + creative assets, including talent, which promotes scalability.
💭 Vision
- The center will house multidisciplinary innovation spaces — think: co-working and creative spaces, flex labs, fabrication studios, conference + meeting rooms, and room for industrial training programs.
- The office is the first-step of a larger vision — the Keystone Innovation District — which aims to prompt redevelopment along the 18th Street corridor.
🗓️ Timeline
- The nonprofit will launch its first interim location with strategic partners along 18th street this fall.
- A preliminary J.E. Dunn inquiry suggests work could begin on the project this February with completion in early 2023.
Representatives declined to speak about the development any further for now. Kevin McGinnis — chairman of the Keystone Community Corp. — said at a luncheon with the Downtowners group last month that the nonprofit was becoming serious about “place making” opportunities and was “looking at a couple of strategic developments.”
Use the buttons below to share this story with your BFFs, your neighbors, and anyone else
who loves learning about our city.
Today
- The Broadway Cabaret | Mon., Sept. 13-Tues., Sept. 14 | 7:30-9 p.m. | MTH Theater at Crown Center | $39+ | Enjoy tunes from the Tin Pan Alley era to more contemporary theater. 🎵
- Food Drive | Mon., Sept. 13 | 5-6 p.m. | Jewish Family Services, 425 E. 63rd St., Kansas City, MO | Free | Needed items include tomato products, dried fruit, paper towels, toothpaste, and toilet paper.
- Pottery Pub | Mon., Sept. 13 | 6-9 p.m. | The Goat Brewing Co., 817 Northeast Rice Road, Lee's Summit, MO | $40 | Price includes your choice of pottery, glazing materials/instruction, and a complimentary beer. 🍺
Tuesday
- CareerMD Networking Event | Tues., Sept. 14 | 5-8 p.m. | Rockhill Event Space, 2000 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO | Free | Graduate Medical Education students and faculty in all years and specialties are invited to free dinner + drinks.
Wednesday
- Bill Burr | Wed., Sept. 15 | 8 p.m. | Starlight Theatre | $35 | A Grammy-nominated comedian and podcast host brings his biting observations to Kansas City.
Thursday
- American Royal Series of Barbecue | Thurs., Sept. 16-Sat., Sept. 18 | Times Vary | Kansas Speedway | $8+ | The largest BBQ contest in the world raising money to support youth and education in agriculture. 🍽️
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Weather
- 90º | Sunny | 1% chance of rain
Sports
- The Kansas City Chiefs kicked off its season opener with a bang — winning 33-29 over the Cleveland Browns. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes finished the game with 337 passing yards + 3 touchdown throws. The team plays the Ravens in Baltimore for a 7:20 p.m. game next week. 🏈
- The Chiefs saw a lot of renovation this year — $13 million to be exact. Now, the team just unveiled its new Hall of Honor — located on the field-level concourse on the west side of the stadium. The multimillion dollar renovation features memorabilia from as early as the 1960s. (Kansas City Star)
Development
-
Final plans were approved for Westport Terrace at Manor Square, a mixed-use development. They include 220 apartments spanning ~4 acres along Mill Street, Westport Road, and Pennsylvania Avenue. The build also entails 27,000 sqft of offices, retail, and restaurant space, and 44,150 sqft of green space for a rooftop park. (Kansas City Business Journal)
Biz
- North Kansas City-based distillery Restless Spirits is going national. The company signed a distribution deal for its two best-selling brands. Pilot Point, Texas-based Trailblazing Spirits hopes to expand Builders Botanical Gin + Erin Irish Whiskey beyond the brand’s Kansas City roots. 🥃 (Kansas City Business Journal)
Arts
- The historic Route 66 will have a Kansas City tie. Two Lee’s Summit metal artists are creating 8 signs, a Route 66 badge, 6 icons along the route, and a rocket for Uranus. The art is part of a renovation of the highway to get more people to the “classic tourist trap.” 🛣️ (KSHB)
Civic
- Wondering what all the destruction on Martway Street in Mission is all about? The city confirmed in a tweet that the former Barn Players Community Theatre is being torn down + replaced with additional parking spaces.
Edu
- The Shawnee Mission School District is implementing a new healthcare clinic for all students in the district + their siblings. The program is part of a partnership between the district and the Health Partnership Clinic. The clinic will be located at the Shawnee Mission West High School and will be open every Thursday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (FOX4)
Seasonal
- Ice cream, you scream. Seasonal ice cream flavors have hit High Hopes Ice Cream — a new dessert shop at 5536 Troost Ave. You can satisfy your sweet tooth with the Caught in the Rain piña colada scoop or try Missouri peach with peaches from Cultivate KC. Seasonal flavors will change monthly, using ingredients from local vendors and farms. 🍨 (Kansas City Star)
Shop
- DYK: Every time the Chiefs score, you could too? Hy-Vee is offering Fuel Saver + Perks card savings all season long. The day after a game — aka today — you could save up to 35 cents per gallon of gas when you fuel up at a Kansas City Hy-Vee Gas. The more the Chiefs score, the more you save.
List
- So, ya like jazz? Some may argue that Kansas City is more well-known for its culturally-rich jazz scene than its flavorful barbecue. You can dive in at different venues across the metro every day of the year with this guide to local live jazz. 🎷
Survey
- Hey, have you taken our demographics survey yet? We’d love to learn more about you (to better serve you in this newsletter) by having you complete this quick, 2-min. online survey. Thanks in advance.
Cue “Sunflower” by Post Malone 🌻
It’s sunflower season. Nothing says happy Monday like a sea of yellow. DYK: Grinter’s Sunflower Farm was recently featured on ABC’s Good Morning America? The farm is free to enter — although donations are accepted, and is open through mid-September.
#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?
Just use #KCtoday on social media.
Asked: If you follow us on social, you may have noticed we're looking for the best drink happy hour specials across the metro. Submit your response here so we can put a guide together for you. That's right. This guide will live on our website for you to refer back to at any time. Cheers.🥂
💭 Say Hello: What do you want to know about your city?
✏️️ Want to write an article for us? Find out how here.
👀 Want your business featured in our newsletter? Learn more about advertising opportunities here.
📖 Check out our Editorial Ethics Policy here.
Did a friend forward this to you?
It can be in your inbox tomorrow a.m.
|