@BlogKCThe city and Downtown boosters are starting some big streetscape improvement projects to spruce up the blocks around the arena and Power & Light District before they open this fall. Things like lighting, sidewalks, signs, benches, planters, etc. are all designed to create a safe and inviting environment for pedestrians on the city streets.
Like many things the city does it’s a case of one step forward and two steps back. Truman Road is one of the streets getting the special treatment. In fact, the city hopes someday turn into a Truman Boulevard lined with green space and posh housing. The problem here is in the picture below. Two blocks of Truman Road along the south side of the arena feature a 15-foot concrete wall. From this spot you can’t see any of the Power & Light District, just a blank wall. Pedestrians will be boxed in a screaming freeway on one side and strip mallish retaining wall on the other side.
isn’t the concrete wall view temporary while the market builds to support condo towers along truman? there’s also lots of talk about capping 670 and selling the air rights for private development.
what are air rights?
i think dave is talking about zoning allowing taller buildings on top of a potential tunnel for I-670. I think that would be great but it’s going to cost $$.
regarding the picture: I’m not familiar with the area but I’m holding out hope that thats not the final grade??
That’s a temporary retainer wall. It will be gone once the arena opens. Sheesh, enough with the “glass half empty” alarmist stuff already…