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Power & Light District
Map
Location1100 Walnut Street
Suite 3000
Kansas City, Missouri 64106
Coordinates39°05′52″N 94°34′56″W / 39.09778°N 94.58222°W / 39.09778; -94.58222
OwnerCordish Company
TypeMixed-use retail, entertainment, office, and residential development
Capacitynine city block area
Construction
Built2005 - 2008
OpenedFirst tenant opened November 9, 2007; various openings through 2008 and 2009
Website
http://www.powerandlightdistrict.com/ (Flash only)

The Kansas City Power & Light District or Power & Light District is a shopping and entertainment district currently in Downtown Kansas City, Missouri, United States, developed by the Cordish Company of Baltimore, Maryland and designed by 360 Architecture. The district comprises nine blocks on the south side of the downtown loop. It is located between Baltimore Avenue to the west, Grand Boulevard to the east, 12th Street to the north, and Interstate 670 to the south.[1] The $850 million "mixed-use" district is one of the largest development projects in the Midwestern United States[2] The Power & Light District is one of only a few places in the United States where possession and consumption of open containers of alcoholic beverages are allowed on the street, although they remain prohibited on the street throughout the rest of Kansas City.

Location

The Power & Light District is immediately to the west of the Sprint Center. It originally was to be named Kansas City Live!, but the Cordish Company decided instead to name the district after the art deco Kansas City Power and Light Building. The present headquarters of the Kansas City Power & Light Company (a subsidiary of Great Plains Energy) is also located on the northern side of the district. A one-block area within the district, however, is called Kansas City Live!, and contains two floors of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs, as well as a large, partially-enclosed courtyard and concert venue (see below).

Kansas City Live!

The interior of the Kansas City Live! block of the Power & Light District under the ETFE roof system, featuring the Kansas City Live! stage, Gordon Biersch Brewing Company, and Maker's Mark Bourbon House and Lounge
Another view of Kansas City Live! under the roof with the city skyline in the distance, looking north.
Vinino on the ground floor, and Howl at the Moon on the second floor on the eastern edge of the Kansas City Live! block
View looking west on 13th Street toward the namesake Kansas City Power & Light building.
View looking east on 13th Street toward the Sprint Center.

At the heart of the Power & Light District is Kansas City Live!, a one block area devoted to live music and entertainment venues. At the center of Kansas City Live! is a covered outdoor plaza to be used for concerts. The roof system, produced by Structurflex, is made of an Ethylene TetraFluoro Ethylene (ETFE) single-skin membrane. The first installation of an ETFE cushion solution in the United States was a facade in NYC for AOL Time Warner (2002/2003; 100m²). Credit for the first roof skylight application goes to the project Pasadena Art Center (690m², installation in 2004) and the first large scale pure roof application was for an aquatic facility in McGaheysville (appr. 4500m², installation in 2005).(previous installations have included AWD Arena in Hanover, Germany and Beijing National Stadium).[3] Construction of the roof began on August 17, 2007.[4] The ground floor of the Kansas City Live! block focuses on bars and restaurants, including McFadden's Sports Saloon, Vinino, Ragland Road, Maker's Mark Bourbon House and Lounge, Tengo Sed Cantina, and Gordon Biersch Brewing Company. The second floor of Kansas City Live! houses the night clubs and entertainment concepts, including Mosaic Lounge, Lucky Strike Lanes, Angels Rock Bar, and Howl at the Moon.

The Kansas City Live! area of the Power & Light District was showcased before a television audience twice during May 2008. American Idol finalist David Cook played a short set from the Kansas City Live! stage on May 9, 2008, which aired during the television show the following week. The same location also hosted the official watch party for the final episode of the 2008 season, which featured a live television feed from the Power & Light District.[5]

Late night visitors to the Kansas City Live! block are required to present identification for entry which is then scanned by a handheld scanner which collects demographic data without informed consent. Due to the lack of informed consent, this potential invasion of personal privacy goes largely unnoted. It has been reported that you can ask for your identification not to be scanned.[6][7]

Power & Light District Tenants

The following establishments have already opened for business in the Power & Light District:

  • 801 Steak & Chop House - 10,314 sq ft (958.2 m2) Des Moines based steak house (opened October 1, 2008)[8]
  • AMC Mainstreet Theater - first all-digital movie theater in the United States; shows current movies in six theaters; located at 14th & Main (opened May 1, 2009)[9]
  • Angel's Rock Bar - 4,000-square-foot (370 m2) music venue and club† (opened March 7, 2008)
  • Bice Bistro - a sophisticated, urban, upscale Italian bistro features authentic Italian cuisine with an international touch in 8,700 sq ft (810 m2). In addition to the main bistro, the location also hosts a carryout operation, and a rooftop martini and wine lounge with a limited menu. (opened July 24, 2008)[10]
  • Bristol Seafood Grill - 8,000-square-foot (740 m2) seafood restaurant (opened February 26, 2008)
  • Chefburger - 3,300-square-foot (310 m2), locally owned, build your own burger joint (opened March 10, 2008)
  • Chipotle Mexican Grill - 2,400-square-foot (220 m2) location of the Denver-based Fresh Mex chain (opened on February 27, 2008)
  • Cosentino's Downtown Gourmet Market - 37,000-square-foot (3,400 m2) upscale grocery store (opened January 6, 2009)
  • The Drum Room - restaurant, martini bar, and live entertainment lounge located in the historic President Hotel
  • Famous Dave's Legendary Pit Bar-B-Que - 6,300 square foot location of the Minnesota-based barbecue restaurant chain (opened February 22, 2008; reopened March 6, 2009 [11])
  • Flying Saucer Draught Emporium - 4,600-square-foot (430 m2) location of the Dallas/Ft. Worth-based beer bar chain, featuring 200 beers on tap† (opened May 5, 2008)
  • GNC - 1,700-square-foot (160 m2) location of the Pittsburgh-based chain of stores selling health and nutrition related products, over the counter drugs, and food supplements (opened December 31, 2008)
  • Gordon Biersch Brewing Company - 8,500-square-foot (790 m2) location of the Chattanooga-based chain of brewery/restaurants† (opened March 10, 2008)
  • H&R Block world headquarters (opened October, 2006)
  • Hilton President Kansas City - 213-room refurbished historic 1926 hotel, featuring the Drum Room (reopened January 5, 2006)
  • Howl at the Moon Piano Bar - 4,700-square-foot (440 m2) location of the Cincinnati-based chain of "dueling-piano bars"† (opened February 7, 2008)
  • Jos. A. Bank - 4,300-square-foot (400 m2) location of the Maryland-based men's clothing designer and retailer located at 1320 Main St. (opened February 13, 2009)[12]
  • Lucky Strike Lanes - 23,000-square-foot, 12-lane upscale Hollywood-based bowling alley, featuring live DJs, food, and drinks† (opened on March 6, 2008)
  • Maker's Mark Bourbon House and Lounge - 6,000-square-foot (560 m2) location of the Kentucky-based whiskey distiller's chain of restaurants and lounges† (opened Friday May 2, 2008)
  • McFadden’s Sports Saloon - 6,900 sq ft (640 m2) Irish-themed sports bar† (opened November 9, 2007)
  • Midland Theatre - 3,500-person capacity concert and live music venue (reopened September 2008)
  • Mosaic Lounge - 7,100-square-foot (660 m2) location of the Seattle-based chain of nightclubs† (opened on April 11, 2008)
  • Polished - 1,195-square-foot (111.0 m2) nail salon and day spa
  • PBR Big Sky - country and western bar located at the north end of the Kansas City Live! block at 111 E. 13th St. (opened April 10, 2008)[13]
  • Peachtree Restaurant of Kansas City - soul food restaurant that moved from 18th & Vine to 14th & Main (opened November 18, 2008)[14]
  • Raglan Road - Irish pub made of pieces transported from Ireland† (opened March 4, 2008)
  • Savvy Coffee & Wine Bar - 1,700-square-foot (160 m2) locally-owned coffee, pastry, and wine bar (opened May 18, 2009) [15]
  • Shark Bar - beach-themed bar and grill located on the second level of Grand Boulevard between 13th and 14th streets. (opened August 8, 2008)
  • Sprint Studio - 5,500-square-foot (510 m2) store in the district. The interactive, high-tech store will "coach" customers on the latest technology from Sprint Nextel. (opened March 5, 2008)
  • Ted's Montana Grill - location of the Atlanta-based chain of restaurants featuring bison on its menu (opened February 12, 2008)
  • Tengo Sed Cantina (Flash only) - Mexican-themed bar and nightclub (opened March 7, 2008)
  • T-Mobile - 1,800-square-foot (170 m2) store [16]
  • Vinino - concept Italian restaurant and wine bar† (opened November 16, 2007)
  • Yummo - locally owned frozen yogurt shop located next to Chefburger (opened October 30, 2008)


The Cordish Company has confirmed that the following establishments will be tenants in the Power & Light District:

  • Fran's Restaurant - a 5,221-square-foot (485.0 m2) 24-hour upscale diner (opening summer 2009) [15]
  • Genghis Grill - 4,373-square-foot (406.3 m2) Dallas-based stir fry restaurant to be located near 14th and Main streets (opens Spring 2009)[17]
  • Johnny's Tavern - locally-owned sports bar chain (opens late July 2009)[18]
  • Plaza Ford Ideal - 950-square-foot (88 m2) locally-owned laundry and dry-cleaner
  • Tangerine - 7,500-square-foot (700 m2) restaurant serving Japanese sushi, Chinois specialties, and classic Chinese favorites
  • The Mixx - 2,966-square-foot (275.6 m2) soup, salad, and pasta restaurant (opens Spring 2009)[19]

†- located in Kansas City Live!

Entertainment

In addition to the live entertainment at the many individual clubs and bars in the district, major acts will also be scheduled to play under the giant canopy of the Kansas City Live! outdoor plaza during warmer months. Most events will be free.

Future Plans

Cordish also plans to build four residential towers in the project. As of August, 2007, only one is under construction: a 38-floor 350-unit residential tower, which may include a boutique hotel. The site is just north of the H&R Block headquarters, on a lot once occupied by the Jones Store Company's flagship store. The department store building was demolished during the summer of 2005 and the ground was leveled and dug out beginning in March, 2006.

Criticism

Cordish instituted a dress code in June 2008 that has been called racist by critics. The dress code includes a ban on bandanas, work boots, ripped or baggy clothing, shorts that fall below the knees, athletic jerseys, and chains.[20] City Hall questioned the Cordish company about the dress code, noting that the dress code seemed targeted towards black males and was inconsistently enforced.[21] Councilwoman Melba Curls said her son was turned away from the district, while Counselwoman Beth Gottstein stated that "the message I keep getting is that Cordish is only available to some."[21] David Cordish stated that the company was merely attempting to reduce gang related activity.[22] Critics further accused Cordish of exhibiting racial bias when it cut short a performance by DJ Jazzy Jeff.[23] Kansas City Power & Light District President Jon D. Stephens stated that "It was entirely an issue of audio and sound."[24]

Cordish has also been criticized for being ungrateful for opposing festival licensing for other Kansas City businesses, festival licensing that it was granted to allow patrons to possess alcohol on the streets in the district.[25] The district has also drawn criticism for having long lines, and for being corporate.[26]

In addition, Cordish CEO David Cordish has been criticized for repeatedly requesting additional taxpayer subsidies and police for the district.[27] The tone of the requests was labeled "petulant", "greedy", and "uninformed" as it was noted that the company had already received over $300 million in taxpayer subsidies yet failed to open on schedule.[27] This caused City officials to criticize the company for its "secretiveness and slowness."[27]

The Power and Light District has also been criticized for the strong handed tactics utilized in condemning a major part of downtown Kansas City, MO via eminent domain. Numerous private stakeholders with close connections to the city council such as DST Realty and UMB Bank (which underwrote the construction bonds) profited from the sale of downtown real estate to a municipal government whose upper echelons they maintained close personal ties. Businesses without such close connection to the municipal government got very little if anything from the eminent domain action.

Local Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne wrote a song about the controversy called "Let Me In", released in 2009.

Alcohol and the Power & Light District

See also: Alcohol laws of Missouri

Missouri already widely is known for its lax alcohol laws, which are among the most permissive of any state in the United States, perhaps only exceeded by those of Nevada. Missouri has no state law prohibiting open containers or public intoxication. Generally, however, Missouri does prohibit bars and restaurants from allowing patrons to leave the premises with unfinished open containers of alcohol.[28]

In 2005, the Cordish Company successfully lobbied the Missouri General Assembly for a new law pertaining to any "entertainment district" in Downtown Kansas City which will allow patrons to remove any alcoholic beverage from any establishment in the District and carry it openly throughout the portions of the District not open to vehicular traffic, provided that the beverage is in a plastic cup marked with the logo of the establishment at which it was purchased.[29][30][31] Although it remains unclear how this will be interpreted or enforced once the Power & Light District opens in the fall of 2007 through the spring of 2008, for now the provision widely has been accepted as allowing drinking "in the street."[31] If so, the Power & Light District will be one of only a few places in the United States with such an open container allowance (along with the city of Butte, Montana, the Las Vegas Strip, the French Quarter of New Orleans, Key West FL, and the historic district of downtown Savannah, Georgia). The City Council of Kansas City has extended this provision to include any portion not open to vehicular traffic of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the Crossroads Arts District, the 18th and Vine Historic District, the Liberty Memorial, Crown Center, and the Union Hill neighborhood. Notably, historical entertainment district, Westport does not benefit from this competitor's special legal provision.[32]

Late night visitors to the outdoor Kansas City Live! venue space are required to present identification before entry which is then scanned by a hand held scanner which verifies ID and stores zip codes and age ranges for market research. The American Civil Liberties Union has expressed disapproval of the practice, and P&L representatives say that a person can ask for his or her license not to be scanned.[6][7]

See also

References

  1. ^ Map of the Power & Light District
  2. ^ The Cordish Company announces lead design team for Kansas City LIVE!, press release
  3. ^ "Kansas City Live! will feature unique architecture", press release
  4. ^ "Power & Light District Construction Reaches Next Step", Fox4 Kansas City, August 17, 2007.
  5. ^ http://www.myfoxkc.com/myfox/pages/Entertainment/Detail?contentId=6576725&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=7.5.1
  6. ^ a b http://blogs.pitch.com/plog/2008/07/pl_scanners_looking_for_more_t.php
  7. ^ a b http://www.nbcactionnews.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=12FAF682-DEF6-4A6D-A7FE-228CBBAA9C5C&gsa=true
  8. ^ http://www.kansascity.com/199/story/686042.html
  9. ^ http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/columnists/robert_w_butler/story/1168094.html
  10. ^ www.kansascity.com | 07/24/2008 | Bice Bistro will serve Italian cuisine three ways for Power & Light District
  11. ^ http://economy.kansascity.com/?q=node/1270
  12. ^ [1]
  13. ^ Ridin', Ropin' & Wranglin'.. PBR Big Sky Opens Today
  14. ^ [2]
  15. ^ a b http://www.kansascity.com/business/story/1096541.html
  16. ^ http://www.kansascity.com/business/story/1043945.html
  17. ^ http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2008/12/08/daily56.html
  18. ^ http://www.kansascity.com/business/story/1159525.html
  19. ^ http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2008/12/01/daily7.html
  20. ^ [3]
  21. ^ a b [4]
  22. ^ [5]
  23. ^ [6]
  24. ^ [7]
  25. ^ [8]
  26. ^ [9]
  27. ^ a b c [10]
  28. ^ Section 311.101, Revised Statutes of Missouri (R.S.Mo.)
  29. ^ Section 311.086, R.S.Mo.
  30. ^ "Sections 10-134 and 10-135, Kansas City Code of Ordinances"
  31. ^ a b Rick Alm, "Drinking to be allowed on street in Power & Light District", The Kansas City Star, July 27, 2005
  32. ^ "Section 10-134(c), Kansas City Code of Ordinances"
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