Living Downtown KC

Downtown comings and goings

2011-07-06T19:03:00.003-05:00

Been awhile since I've posted so figured time to wrap up some comings and goings in and around downtown.

Coming...and pretty excited for all of them.
- Snow and Company headed to the crossroads on Baltimore. Serving up frozen alcohol. Should be open in September. @snowandcompany on twitter.
- Nica's cafe, formerly a hit in southern johnson county, is headed to the old Shiraz spot at 320 Southwest Blvd. Heard great things about this place. Opening in August: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nicas-Cafe
- Balsano's - Gelate cafe that just opened in P&L after being kicked out of the Plaza.
- Bar Louie. Nothing official but Bar Louie confirms they are looking at the P&L. Want to be open in August. http://www.barlouieamerica.com

Leaving:
- Fishnet Security....a homegrown and up and coming security company. Leaving for the incentive laden pastures of the suburban sprint campus.
- Raglan Road - Supposedly not paying their rent and Cordish is kicking them out.

Some great new places. Disappointing to see an employer like Fishnet leaving.

Examples of poor snow removal

2011-02-16T18:58:00.001-06:00

This isn't very timely but going through my phone pics came across a great example of horrible snow removal....this one care of cordish who decided nobody could ever walk from the crossroads to their district. Any other examples out there?

Evening hours at downtown businesses rant

2010-12-08T18:12:00.001-06:00

My discovery of the Mixx deciding to cut their hours of their downtown location to only 11am to 2:30pm today got me thinking about a long time pet peeve of mine. Mixx opened it's doors a little over a year ago and has flexed their hours all around in that time.

Why do restaurants apply a double standard to their downtown location? This seems especially true with a restaurant or retailer with multiple locations. It happens almost like clockwork in downtown KC. A business will give downtown almost token evening/late hours but almost instantly start closing at inconsistent times or all together taking away evening hours. Why? It's not like these businesses are packed at their other non-downtown location. A place like Subway is a great example of this. Have you ever driven by a subway anywhere after lunch? Are they EVER busy? Hardly....yet they stay open in every random strip mall you can find but they don't even give a second thought to closing up shop after lunch rush downtown.

Now I'll admit I've never ran a retail or restaurant operation but if I'm trying to build business, I would try and cater to not just employees but tourists and residents that live downtown. Maybe I'm looking at this with just too big of pro-downtown glasses on but someone explain it to me. OK say you aren't busy at first in the evenings. How much does keeping the lights on and two hourly employees cost for 5 more hours? $50 a day? What is that, 4 diners?

I can't believe this continued hour shifting by new downtown businesses is simply economic. So what is it? Perceived safety of employees? Assumption that there is no one to sell to after the workers eat lunch?

A perfect example of actually trying evening hours and sticking with it comes from the former Cupinis. When they first opened, they stayed open until 8pm. No matter what. Rob stuck with it until they day he closed to be closer to his family. You know what, he got customers in the evening too....not right away, but after people realized he was there and open, people went there.

As a downtown worker and resident, a small piece of advice to any current or future restaurant or retailer. If you truly want to build evening business, post your hours and stick to them. Give it at LEAST one year. Put that in your business plan. It will be slow at first for the traditional "lunch" places like Subway, Quiznos, Ingredient, Mixx, but as people realize you are open, you will build that following. Tell us you are open, you will get our business. If you don't want to commit to that, then don't even tease us with your token evening hours. We will respect your business more if you don't go jerking hours around on us.

Tuesday - Volunteering & Fans arriving

2010-03-09T21:24:00.003-06:00

Just got back from fan information volunteering....some of the most fun I have with other fans. Great time telling them about KC, where to eat, etc. You can really see how much they appreciate the suggestions since many of them are from a smaller city than KC....and how great we now have options to give them.

Free practice was today and the first game is tomorrow....fan fest was just getting setup as I walked to the hotel today...looks like it will be a lot of fun if the weather allows it.

I'll do most of my midday updates with twitter which you can follow to the right. Probably once a night I'll update the blog with the day's events.

Most fans I saw today were from Texas Tech (surprising) and Oklahoma State. Mostly 55+ which is expected when the tournament starts on a Tuesday.

First game 11am between Tech and Colorado...expecting a Dallas type crowd....nobody.

Only pic I took today:

Big 12 arriving

2010-03-09T08:00:00.000-06:00

Big 12 teams and fans begin arriving today for the tournament in KC. Should be a great time and I'll be blogging/tweeting live the whole time bringing comments, pics, videos, whatever. Great time for KC, wish the weather would play nice...but after this winter, at least it's not raining.

Later. Check back often for updates or better yet jump on twitter and follow @downtownkc as I will be updating that more frequently.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Downtown KC Jones Pool Opening pics

2009-06-20T12:07:00.002-05:00

Dj set

2009-06-09T20:25:00.000-05:00

Here was the set before the imfamous DJ Jazzy Jeff incident.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

A full Monday night at the K

2009-05-04T20:13:00.000-05:00

Amazing what $5 tickets and a competitive team will do for attendance.

---
Sent mobile

Urban Tour weekend

2009-05-02T10:59:00.003-05:00

Well today and tomorrow are the official urban tour days. See the Downtown Council's site for information.

Started my urban tour last night with a pretty typical Friday night but saw a bunch of new places...so in the spirit of the urban tour weekend, here is my Friday night...I highly recommend it.

Get off work, get changed, and head down to First Friday. Still an awesome community event. Walked around, hit some galleries, really wanting to buy something but couldn't pull the trigger.

So we need a place to eat so we wander around, everything packed, then I remember the Kansas City Cafe. Always wanted to try this place but never have. they are normally just open for lunch but were open last night. Decided we weren't too hungry so just got a couple rounds of tapas that were simply chef's choice...whatever he was feeling came out. pretty cool I thought. $5 for a plate of 3 tapas. first round was a goat cheese crustini, some portabella, and shrimp over potato...all three great. next round was a cold cucumber soup, roasted red pepper and munster cheese over toasted bread and can't remember the 3rd thing. Again all awesome. Place is also cool because it has all kinds of KC pictures and trivia. Definitely check this place out.

Next we decided to head over to 801 steakhouse and check out their bar selection. Had a drink but decided no food but their lamb sliders are excellent, I've had them before. This place just isn't busy....it figures with the economy and KC's rich history and selection of fine steakhouses already...it's going to take time for them to find their niche.

Then over to Bice's deck for a drink...starting last night they are now open 7 days a week and have food up there. Simply the cheapest beer prices anywhere....Boulevard for $3 all day...are you kidding? It was bit cold last night so not many people up there....I hope this place stays a hidden gem...I love that deck.

So time for our movie at the new AMC....we had a Cinema Suite. Simply amazing. I'm not sure I can watch a movie in a regular theater again. $20 but you get $10 in food/drink (including alcohol). Food is the same that is in the Marquee downstairs. Waitresses bring all your food and drinks. Awesome. Can't wait to go back. #2 biggest improvement given by the P&L district behind the grocery store.

By that time we were beat so walked back home to get ready for the urban tour today.

Amazing night and got to check out some unfamilar places and was pleasantly surprised by all of them.

Downtown is a twitter

2009-04-26T21:19:00.002-05:00

I've begun a downtownkc twitter at @downtownkc ( http://www.twitter.com/downtownkc ) so hit it up and follow along. I'll try and do kinda what this blog was meant to do, in a much more realtime fashion.

Also, anybody else on twitter, flag your downtown Kansas city posts with a #downtownkc . Could be anything from a happy hour special, to a wreck, to a question, to A PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL THAT DOESN'T CHANGE WITHOUT DEPRESSING A BUTTON (sorry)....really anything downtown related.

Hit me up and tweet away.

Best drink

2009-03-21T17:09:00.000-05:00

This might be the best drink ever made
---
Sent mobile

Test

2009-03-21T17:02:00.001-05:00

Testing new features

Snowboarding at 70 degrees?

2009-02-05T19:29:00.000-06:00

Here is the snowboard ramp being set up inside the power and light district live block. I am think with saturday's temperatures, this is about the amount of snow that will be on this ramp saturday :)

Saturday

2009-02-01T09:58:00.002-06:00

What an awesome day it was yesterday. Went and ate downtown and then kicked back and watched KSU kill Texas on the big screen in the P&L living room.

They are really going to have to figure this whole daytime drinking outside thing out down there. Security guards kept chasing people into the McFaddens "patio" not allowing people to sit on the couches with booze....I know why, it's because nobody is carding at the entrances to the courtyard so people are free to come and go as they please, which creates zero control points for booze...but figure something out. There was a huge pub crawl there that went there obviously to drink in the huge outside area only to be denied.

if we are going to have this big open courtyard that you can drink in at night, you are going to continue to piss people off if you don't allow them to roam around freely in the daytime as well. Figure it out.

Famous Daves FAIL

2009-02-01T09:53:00.001-06:00

Top 10 downtown KC pedestrian annoyances

2009-01-30T10:37:00.002-06:00

To get this blog restarted, here are my top 10 pet peeves when it comes to being a pedestrian downtown...no real order except #1.

- Cars that come blazing out of a parking garage.

- Just because I caught a break in traffic and jaywalked against the light, doesn't mean each one of you on the other side can make it without screwing up traffic

- Cars turning left/right on red and never looking the opposite way to see people crossing

- Downtown veterans (see homeless, loiters, etc) who decide they can wander across the street slowly whenever, whereever....you are why drivers hate pedestrians

- LEARN ONE WAY STREETS YOU DRUNKS

- Hey, you, lunch foursome...could one of you step aside from blocking the entire sidewalk so I can go the other way?

- if you pull too far into the crosswalk, please don't throw it in reverse 10 seconds later, somebody is probably behind you.

- out of control condo dogs. Hey, listen, I love you are downtown and have a dog. I don't live that your dog is trying to maul/hump/bite/smell/piss on my leg.

- lack of newsstands. I know downtown isn't the most dense and pedestrian active place but can we get just a couple newsstands? Even the ones that just open during business hours, selling magazines, papers, and snacks? I mean come on.

#1 - pedestrian signals that don't change automatically with the traffic signal.

Bonus - bikes on the sidewalks. As much as I love being ran over by a bike, can't they just use the street?

Alright, new direction

2008-07-18T16:50:00.003-05:00

Walking home from work today, I discovered the new direction of this blog....which was probably actually the original direction I was thinking of when I created it but more ideas now popped into my head.....

Basically, I'll give the everyday oddities, interactions, general hilarity I discover downtown....whether it be conversations I overhear, things asked to me, items I see, or things that piss me off and need to be fixed. I've lived and worked and played downtown for over 5 years and there are a lot of great moments I remember.

So there you go...stay tuned because I've already had a ton of interactions with people in cars lost that I will release as ideas get slow....not to make fun of these people, I'm glad they are finally coming downtown, but just for general lighthearted humor as to some of the things people ask....and I've been asked a ton of stuff, guess I look like the "downtown guy" that would know the answer.

Anyways, off to happy hour which always provides some material.

Anybody there?

2008-06-04T00:17:00.001-05:00

Anybody still listening? Summer is here and blogging is rare with all that's going on downtown. If anybody is still out there, I'll try and continue.....

Selection show

2008-03-16T16:40:00.001-05:00

Lots of people (ku fans) waiting in the live block waiting to hear which #1 seed they will get. Surprised so many are hanging around, its far from warm.

Great final game btw.

Entry time

2008-03-16T13:46:00.001-05:00

I have heard some complaints about entry time...I just got in the biggest line in the grand entry (on purpose) and from the time I got in the line, to my seat...13 minutes. I think that is an acceptable time considering the security.

I know people are hanging in the live block as long as possible and expecting to enter at the last second....but given todays security that is simply not realistic.

People have to complain about something I guess.

Championship sunday

2008-03-16T13:08:00.001-05:00

Final day of the tournament and the area is still rocking...everybody makes cash when ku stays in it and their cult moves in.....ut is a +6 dog..that seems crazy, I took them straight up.

Weather is cool but dry...not dampening the spirits here.

saturday

2008-03-15T17:16:00.001-05:00

The combination of cold, plus ksu losing, plus hung over from last night plus ku fans paying insane amounts for tickets equals me not attending todays session....might go check out the atmosphere later but we all know what its like, its crazy awesome.

Reading stories in other citys newspapers confirms this...kc is the primo site for this event...okc is good, but not to this level....and that is with a half open p&l district.

The people, volunteers, arena, p&l district, makes this THE site for the bball tourney.

More live!

2008-03-15T01:41:00.003-05:00

More people out here than in the arena I think. Great atmosphere.

Well ksu lost

2008-03-15T01:41:00.001-05:00

At least I get to see a band I couldn't care less about....it I so fing packed

4th session

2008-03-15T01:40:00.006-05:00

Finally forced to sit in my seats.....tickets for the upper deck going for 200...silly ku fans

Mass of humanity

2008-03-15T01:40:00.005-05:00

This mob puts st. Pats in westport to shame.....so many people...every restaurant we see is busting with at the seams with people. Crazy.......everybody is very well behaved

Road to glory

2008-03-15T01:40:00.003-05:00

The road to glory is rockin...live block is overflow capacity.

After party

2008-03-15T01:40:00.001-05:00

Jesus live! Is packed....sed had a 5 cover and places were staying packed.

Big 12 do the right thing, keep this tournament here. It makes sense.

Osu girls

2008-03-14T12:00:00.000-05:00

For all those oklahoma girl lovers...not a great pic.

Arena filling up quickly..still so many people just milling around outside....either looking for tickets or simply here for the atmosphere.

Day two

2008-03-14T10:54:00.000-05:00

Here we go....seems less busy traffic so far......evening session upper decks are going for over 200.

Mu girl

2008-03-14T00:35:00.001-05:00

Mu girl is the hit of tengo.....she showed a nice t-back

Postgame 2

2008-03-14T00:15:00.001-05:00

Places are busy on the live block but not as full as I expected...I think after people have hung out here all day, they are ready for a change of scenery ....still people are having a blast. Saw some big security issue that caused 5 bike cops to sped somewhere...no idea what that was.

Place is a blast....get down here just to hang out around the games and fans.....ksu game won't be on the big screen as sister hazel will be playing then. Still plenty of tvs to see that game.

Gordon beirsch has great food...now back to my beer....journey is playing.

postgame

2008-03-13T23:24:00.001-05:00

And the afterparty of day one is on....

Mu fans

2008-03-13T18:29:00.001-05:00

This is sad....nu fans are outnumbering you. No excuses, the arena is in missouri.

Baylor loses

2008-03-13T16:46:00.000-05:00

Baylor loses, nobody cares...people flood into the live block. This is awesome.

Live is live

2008-03-13T15:15:00.001-05:00

Wow...more people here than in the arena......everybody is in awe of the place from the comments I have heard....loving the big screen

2008-03-13T14:10:00.001-05:00

Got to love thursday afternoon session + two schools that bring no fans = me upgrading my seats.

Fence issue fixed

2008-03-13T13:32:00.001-05:00

Yeah...fence issue has been fixed. Good work cordish.

First game

2008-03-13T12:09:00.001-05:00

Not a bad crowd for 2 south teams playing the kickoff game....probably 50% full right now...people moving in steadily.

Fence pic

2008-03-13T12:08:00.001-05:00

This is what I am talking about...see the people coming back?

14th blocked?

2008-03-13T12:06:00.001-05:00

First big issue...fence containing the drinking area doesn't allow you to walk by famous daves, etc outside the drinking area and go to the arena. There is a fence at the end forcing everybody to turn around.

Bad design....at least put a sign at teds saying no arena access....anyways.

Parking....

2008-03-13T10:46:00.001-05:00

Not an issue....onekc place garage is open, barney allis is open....parking should be fine.

Fan Fest

2008-03-13T10:04:00.002-05:00

As Thursday gets started, it's time for fan fest.

I walked through the district yesterday and was greeted by 6' high chain link fence around the Live! block and on the south sidewalk of 14th....so it allows people to walk down that sidewalk into famous dave's, but the street is blocked.

It's done to control access to allow drinking on the streets....it's not very pleasing to the eye.

I'm also interested how they 1) allow drinking during the day and 2) what they do about those under 21.

Do this right Cordish....we are impressing a lot of people here.

This is downtown kcmo?

2008-03-12T21:39:00.001-05:00

Wow....downtown kcmo, iowans with kids...looks like a rockwell painting.

Welcome to the new downtown.

Day 2

2008-03-12T15:29:00.000-05:00

Definitely getting busier....banners are up

Volunteering is hard

2008-03-11T20:35:00.001-05:00

Wow, after my first Big 12 volunteer stint, I am wiped out....I pride myself as knowing as much about downtown as anybody, eating, drinking, etc...but when some couple comes up to you and asks point blank, where is a good place to eat and don't have a type of food, every option downtown rushes through my mind.

Young hip couple wants a trendy good place
older couple just wants a good place to eat
other couple wants someplace close and good

ahhhhhhhh....fun seeing some named people like Tom Osborne and Lew Perkins...I'm not using taken aback by people but when Tom Osborne comes up and wants something, you jump to attention.

Fun time, lots of work, but think I did well overall....hope I gave people a good impression of KC.....and this was the SLOW day? Yikes.

First isu fan spotted

2008-03-11T14:34:00.001-05:00

The tournament truly has begun....first isu fan spotted boarding the max....sorry for the crappy quality, just trust me, its a corn bred iowa state fan

Here comes the host committee

2008-03-11T14:28:00.001-05:00

Kickin shirts huh?

Tournament gets started

2008-03-11T12:34:00.001-05:00

Sure it's the women's tournament but big 12 week has started. CU vs. ISU at Municipal. Can't get down there to take any pictures ...the Big 12 website has a great tournament tracker on their front page. Check it out: http://www.big12sports.com/

I think the game is on metrosports but I can't verify that...tickets still available for the women's tournament BTW.

Now just hope the rain holds off for the week.

...and here come the welcome signs

2008-03-10T18:48:00.001-05:00

Found at the walkway at the marriott downtown. Huge amounts of propaganda should be making its way up in the next 48 hours

It's almost time

2008-03-10T12:14:00.001-05:00

Well let me kick off this blog with background and initial Big 12 tournament thoughts.

I'm just one resident of downtown KC. I've lived downtown for about 7 years now and have experienced the mass changes (for better and worse) that have happened downtown.

I created this blog to give my thoughts as the Big 12 tournament week goes on downtown....if there is any interest, I plan to continue posting about everyday downtown life, which will hopefully give some insight to those who are unfamiliar with living, working, and playing downtown. I hope you enjoy it.

Now onto the Big 12:

It's Monday of Big 12 tournament week and you can already feel a buzz in the offices and on the streets dontown. DCID workers (the yellowjackets) have their Big 12 pins on and finishing touches are being put on downtown about to have it's first major test.

During this week, I plan to blog live if interesting things happen and just get the general feel for the atmosphere. I will be around the arena for all sessions and helping out at various fan information booths at downtown hotels earlier in the week.

If there are things you'd like me to comment on, let me know through the comments portion of the blog and I'll do my best to respond.

My predictions for this week?
- We will hear parking complaints...some will be warranted.
- The P&L district will have rave reviews from tourists and first time visitors, despite it not being completely open....hardly anyone will notice.
- Baylor will win the women's tournament, Texas will win the Men's (I'm a KSU fan just so you know where I'm coming from)

that's it for now....hope everybody has a chance to come down and experience at least a little of the week, it should be a great time.

Hello World

2008-03-09T15:45:00.000-05:00

More coming soon.