By Kevin Collison
A strategic property is for sale in the East Crossroads, a one-acre site at 18th and Holmes that would be well-located should the Royals get their wish to build their ballpark downtown.
The former Kansas City Tent & Awning properties at 1813-31 Holmes have been listed by Cushman & Wakefield for an asking price of $4.5 million.
The location is only a few blocks from the East Village area where the Royals are said to be leaning toward building a ballpark and near the 18th and Vine District should a potential stadium be located in that area.
“We think it’s a really strategic location,” said Gib Kerr, managing principal at Cushman.
“The East Crossroads reminds me of the LoDo area of Denver 30 years ago. It’s already happening without a baseball stadium, but if you throw a ballpark into the mix it will be like gas on fire.”
Kerr said the existing buildings at the location could be renovated or razed to create a redevelopment site. The listing states there are 46,000 square-feet of industrial buildings along with a 6,700 square-foot garage and fenced surface parking lot.
“There are a couple buildings with barrel-vaulted ceilings that would be great for brew pubs or could be razed for apartments,” Kerr said.
The location is close to the growing East Crossroads district of microbreweries, craft distilleries, restaurants and shops. It also could further the hoped-for redevelopment connection along 18th Street between the Crossroads and 18th and Vine.
“What I love about the East Crossroads is it’s happening organically,” Kerr said. “It’s small businesses and entrepreneurs. You get a nice sense of community.”
The property is located in the East Crossroads Urban Renewal Area and would be eligible for a 10-year, 70 percent property tax abatement.
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The site isn’t a great distance from either potential stadium location, byt the highways certainly make it less walkable to the stadiums.
I live in East Crossroads and go on runs throughout downtown regularly. All of the highways have sidewalks over them, so *technically* they are all passable as a pedestrian. The sidewalks aren’t in great shape though, and it’s not super pleasant as a pedestrian/runner around the highways, but they are walkable. What I would suspect, or at least hope, is if the stadium gets built it triggers a lot of other upgrades and improvements to the pedestrian infrastructure in that area.
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