Slammin' at the Stadiums 🏓

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Can somebody connect us to the Director of Emojis at Apple? Because we could really use a pickleball emoji for today’s newsletter…

🏓 A new pickleball destination near the stadiums

🏗️ New lofts and rooftop bar coming to the East Crossroads

🎭 Future Stages Festival returns to the Kauffman Center

🤔 Tuesday Trivia: crafting the Kauffman

Opening

SW19 at the Stadium Officially Opening on June 11th

A new pickleball destination is coming soon to East Kansas City near Arrowhead Stadium and Kauffman Stadium called SW19 at the Stadium.

• Slammin’ at the Stadiums: Led by Community Builders of Kansas City, the conversion of the former Coco Key Water Resort into 8 pro-level indoor pickleball courts is ready to open. In addition to the courts, the space will feature a full-service restaurant and bar, lounge areas, a coffee shop, and a home for the Kansas City Stingers, a professional team competing in the National Pickleball Leage.

• Courts Are Open: SW19 at the Stadium will host a Grand Opening Celebration on Wednesday, July 11th from 5:30-10pm. The event will feature free open play, pro demonstrations, giveaways, food and drink specials from Chef Keeyoung Kim (of the recently-closed Chingu), and more fun!

SW19 at the Stadiums will be open 6am to 10pm Mon-Thurs; 6am to midnight Fridays; 7am to midnight Saturdays; and 7am to 8pm Sundays. Check out some photos of the space HERE.

Development

New Project to Bring Rooftop Bar, Loft Residences to the Crossroads

A plan to convert the Holtman Building in the East Crossroads into loft residences, commercial space, and a rooftop bar is moving forward.

• Waste No Time: The project is led by Zach Molzer of Molzer Development, who is also currently redeveloping the 100-year-old Aladdin Hotel in downtown Kansas City. Molzer and his team went under contract on the building at 708 E. 18th St. in May and have referred to the building as “an absolute tank”.

• The Plan: The redevelopment would feature 10,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor, eight loft residences of various sizes on the second floor, and a partially-enclosed rooftop bar. The bar will be operated by the same group behind Verdigris, The Mercury Room, Bar Medici, and the future cocktail bar on the Aladdin’s top floor.

Construction is expected to begin in October, with an expected completion of 2026 ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Follow along with Molzer Development and its projects HERE.

Events

Future Stages Festival Returns to the Kauffman Center on June 15th

The Future Stages Festival returns to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, June 15th.

• Young Talent: The free, one-day festival showcases Kansas City’s youngest artists in a variety of performing arts categories. Over 600 performers aged 5-18 will take to four different stages to share their talents in music, dance, aerial arts, theatre, and more!

• Bring the Fam: The event also features a variety of family-friendly events on the South Lawn of the Kauffman Center, as well as food from Happy Belly, Kona Ice, and Tiki Taco. The Future Stages Festival was launched in 2014, and aligns with the Kauffman Center’s mission to bring everyone diverse performing arts experiences.

RSVP for free for the Future Stages Festival HERE.

KC Daily Picks

In Other News…

• ✅ Permission to Build: The Roy Blunt Luminary Park cleared a major hurdle yesterday, receiving approval from the Federal Highway Administration to cap four blocks above I-670 in downtown Kansas City.

• ⚾️ Jac’s Back: The Royals have called up their top 2024 draft pick Jac Caglianone from the minor leagues. Caglianone was the sixth overall pick last year, and was batting .322 in Double-A and Triple-A ball.

• 🐵 Monkey Business: The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium announced the birth of two cotton-top tamarins. Alongside the birth, the Zoo announced a new program sponsored by Saint Lukes Hospital to celebrate “zooborns”.

• 🌾 House on the Prairie: Kansas City Parks and Recreation is celebrating National Prairie Day with Party on the Prairie this Saturday (6/7) from 5-8pm at Jerry Smith Park, Jackson County’s last remaining remnant prairie.

• ☕️ Hyde Park Hello: Last week, 1888 Coffee officially opened its doors in Hyde Park! (3504 Gillham Road) The shop serves a full coffee bar, energy drinks, smoothies, pastries, sandwiches, and more.

• 👀 Small Biz, Big Reach: Kansas City small businesses, we see you. Promote your business to 23,703 readers every morning starting at just $70. Our online storefront makes it easy to book your spot in minutes - no contracts, no fluff. Start HERE.

Trivia Tuesday 🤔

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