Downtown housing proposed with river view (Kansas City Star)

Biggest new residential project in downtown KC since ’80s is to be built on former rail yard in River Market.

A desolate corner of the River Market is slated to be transformed into a 326-unit, upscale apartment development beginning this fall, downtown’s biggest new residential project since Quality Hill.

The Morgan Group of Houston has completed planning for a market-rate apartment complex, tentatively called 100 Wyandotte, geared toward younger professionals.

The location is an empty 7.4-acre tract that was once a Kansas City Southern rail yard and the historical starting point of the railroad referred to as “milepost zero.” The site occupies the northwest edge of the River Market overlooking the Missouri River.

“It was a great piece of property and a rare opportunity to purchase a piece that large,” said Karen Covington, a spokeswoman for the Texas company. “We think it will be a great asset to the community.”

The new residential project, which is expected to be completed in mid-2009, comes at a time when the River Market area is enjoying a marked upsurge in investment. The old Cold Storage Building recently reopened as a 224-unit apartment building, HOK Sport occupied a new headquarters building last year, and new condominium projects have been built as well.

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I’m absolutely thrilled at the idea of another upscale project being built next to the 1st & Main building along the river, especially one of this magnitude. With that opening in 2009, the 300+ unit Columbus Park project hopefully being near completion at that point, Bridgework Lofts phase II underway, the River Market, and downtown area in general, will become a very attractive place. If the River Market can keep up this momentum, it could become one of the most desirable places to live in the downtown area because of it’s urban neighborhood feel along with great views to the north (river) & south (downtown).

Proposed items for the 2nd Street Corridor include:

• Roadway and sidewalk dimensions that give priority to pedestrian access, but also provide
  vehicular access
• An architectural element that could serve as a wayfinder or meeting point, with visibility
  from 5th Street, through the City Market and to 2nd Street

• Various parking options, including parallel and angled parking
• The addition of design elements to the existing sub-station on 2nd and Grand that
  would be incorporated seamlessly with other design features
• The development of pedestrian plazas, particularly at intersections along 2nd Street
  where there would be limited vehicular traffic
• An interpretive tower that would incorporate historical photos and signage about the
  history of Kansas City and the River Market
• Public amenities, such as bike racks and park benches that would be consistent with
  other aesthetic design elements along 2nd Street

Some links to PDFs with more information
http://www.kcmo.org/cimo/PAL/2ndStreetTabloid83.pdf
http://www.kcmo.org/cimo/PAL/2ndStreetEnews83.pdf

Currently, the east side of the river market is booming with available property, Cold Storage Lofts just opened up, Bridgeworks Lofts still has a couple units left along with another project (townhomes?) just to the west of it opening within a few years. Hopefully the commercial property aspect of this project can add some much need essential amenities to the incoming residents. I met one of the developers with this project while on vacation last summer, and he couldn’t have been more excited about the potential this project has. He was convinced it was the next hot spot for urban redevelopment.