Peace, Love, and Zoning: MPDs in Midtown

The last month or so has been a big test for the newly adopted Midtown Plaza Area Plan. First, the City Council upheld the tight density limits imposed on the Plaza, rejecting two requests for rezoning. While many pro-development urbanists (including me) were disappointed to see a dense redevelopment proposal rejected, it was nevertheless encouraging…

Overlay Overload

For a variety of converging and interconnected reasons, Kansas City has seen a flurry of activity in recent months related to its development codes and standards. Three major updates to development standards have been adopted for the Downtown Loop, Troost Corridor, and the City’s Parkways and Boulevards. With support from a Mid America Regional Council…

Untangling the Westport Parking Controversy

A plan to replace a parking lot in Westport with new development is drawing criticism from both ends of the pro and anti-urban spectrum.  People on the pro-car, anti-urban side are criticizing the development because it removes parking spaces and increases density, which triggers their ‘where am I going to park/this neighborhood is unsafe’ reflex. On…

A New Vision for Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park has all the ingredients to be a great public space, but a host of challenges stand in the way of its potential. A new concept for the park seeks to tackle those challenges head on and recreate the success other cities have seen with urban destination public spaces. With the iconic Union…

Creepy Car Cave Proposed for Crossroads

True North Hotel Group is working to build a $16 million creepy car cave at 20th and Main.  The creepy car cave would feature a dark and foreboding parking lot with a 115 room hotel precariously elevated on stilts above the lot.  The design maximizes the amount of space devoted to automobiles along the prominent…