Santa Claus is coming up Grand Boulevard.
Two horses are pulling St. Nick in a yellow carriage. White hybrid SUVs, piloted by Crown Center's security force, are protecting Santa's fore and aft.
It's the day after Thanksgiving. Midmorning sunshine warms the families who wait outside the Crown Center Shops for a glimpse of the man in the red suit. Barricades are striped like candy canes.
The procession stops at the shopping center's glass entrance. A pair of horn players riding in Santa's carriage blast "Joy to the World."
Some Santas take pride in their ability to deliver a hearty "ho, ho, ho!" The Crown Center Santa takes a folksier approach. "Good morning, Kansas City!" he announces after being handed a microphone. "How are you all?"
As Santa enters the shops, his white gloves touch small heads and hands. Santaland is on the ground floor, beyond the food court. In the crowd, a mom says to a friend: "This is where I eat every day."
The day after Thanksgiving is one of the biggest of the year at Crown Center. When night falls, Mayor Mark Funkhouser and Eric Stonestreet, a TV actor (Modern Family, CSI) who grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, will flip a novelty switch, lighting the mayor's Christmas tree.
Hallmark Cards broke ground on this "city within a city" on September 16, 1968. Company founder Joyce C. Hall had spent the previous decade meeting with architects, industrial designers and real-estate men. Walt Disney, a friend, had even contributed a few ideas.
Hall envisioned Crown Center as a sort of monument to corporate benevolence. "We intended for Crown Center to stand as a prime example of how private industry can contribute to the rebirth of this nation's inner cities," he wrote in his autobiography, When You Care Enough.
The development remade 85 acres into a vision of tomorrow — what tomorrow looked like in the 1960s.
Crown Center is perhaps the most audacious commercial venture in the city's history. The Country Club Plaza covers less ground. Adjusting for inflation, the Sprint campus in Overland Park was cheaper to build. "I think it's an incredibly ambitious project," says Josh Shelton, a principal at the Kansas City architectural firm El Dorado.
Ambition does not equal success. For most of its existence, Crown Center has operated at a loss. Intended to cost $115 million, it had grown into a $400 million development by the time Hall got around to writing his 1978 autobiography.
A mixed-use development before the term had cachet, Crown Center is partly a victim of bad timing. It was built in an era when planners operated under fairly dumb ideas about cities and how people relate to them. The activity at Crown Center takes place behind blank walls and in between escalators. It's introverted. The Plaza and neighborhoods like the Crossroads show that people prefer something a little more outgoing.
Still, for more than 35 years, it has been a spot where Kansas Citians go to live, work, see a show and watch a sheet of fudge get poured. "You could do so much in one place," says Janet Bloom, who in 1990 started d'Bronx deli and pizzeria at 39th Street and Bell with her husband, Robert.
The Blooms opened a second location inside Crown Center in 1998. Janet had family ties to the city within a city: Her father used to run the apothecary at Crown Center. She says it was the first place in Kansas City that sold Lancôme products.
Bloom loved to visit Crown Center with her children, who are now grown. She says her kids may hold the record for hours spent at Kaleidoscope, the Hallmark-sponsored workshop for children.
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In a nutshell- Crown Center You suck!!
A Bunch of snobs who think they are better then most common working folks!
In a nutshell- Crown Center You suck!! A Bunch of snobs who think they are better then most common working folks!
Good Bye Harley, you will be missed,stay in touch! your friends alway's,SWAK!! Robert # 345, Jeff # 365, Darren, Joe, Gregg Copotelli, Miss Williams, Amanda, and Gary Hill.
Good Bye Harley, you will be missed,stay in touch! your friends alway's,SWAK!! Robert # 345, Jeff # 365, Darren, Joe, Gregg Copotelli, Miss Williams, Amanda, and Gary Hill.
The next time you visit CC and happen to be in a parking garage, look up and see what is above your head: exposed, rusting rebar and severely cracked concrete. And you thought the Westin collapse that occurred in the 80's was bad???
The next time you visit CC and happen to be in a parking garage, look up and see what is above your head: exposed, rusting rebar and severely cracked concrete. And you thought the Westin collapse that occurred in the 80's was bad???
Crown Centers, Avenue of the America's, (which was stolen from New York City I might add)! Should be renamed Avenue of the Broken Dreams, or Avenue of the Broken Hearts, pretty appropriate if you really knew what went on back there.
Crown Centers, Avenue of the America's, (which was stolen from New York City I might add)! Should be renamed Avenue of the Broken Dreams, or Avenue of the Broken Hearts, pretty appropriate if you really knew what went on back there.
Crown Center, Hallmark and it's property management company Kessinger Hunter have always mistreated their minority and older workforce.
I had a family member employed by Kessinger Hunter at CC, the stories she shared with me and what they put fine, hard working people through, just to eliminate positions.
Due to their mistreatment of their workers, I will not spend my hard earned money anywhere on the Crown Center facility.
Those folks have done many a fine Kansas Citian's wrong!!
Crown Center, Hallmark and it's property management company Kessinger Hunter have always mistreated their minority and older workforce. I had a family member employed by Kessinger Hunter at CC, the stories she shared with me and what they put fine, hard working people through, just to eliminate positions. Due to their mistreatment of their workers, I will not spend my hard earned money anywhere on the Crown Center facility. Those folks have done many a fine Kansas Citian's wrong!!
I was down at Crown Center during the holidays as well.
Lots of rough looking juvenilles roaming the halls, I was visiting on a Saturday night, saw little evidence of security,or Police personal.
I was very intimidated to say the least, I won't be returning there.
I was down at Crown Center during the holidays as well. Lots of rough looking juvenilles roaming the halls, I was visiting on a Saturday night, saw little evidence of security,or Police personal. I was very intimidated to say the least, I won't be returning there.
I visited CC twice in the last several weeks with friends and family. We all remarked at how clean and beautiful it was. It still looks new. It couldn't be possible that it was built in the 70's. It's one of my favorite places - especially during the holidays.
I visited CC twice in the last several weeks with friends and family. We all remarked at how clean and beautiful it was. It still looks new. It couldn't be possible that it was built in the 70's. It's one of my favorite places - especially during the holidays.
I was down at Crown Center last weekend for holiday shopping.
I hadn't been down there in like 6-7 years, can't remember.
The place has gone down hill, very dirty, the bathrooms were trashed, food lines were long, service was crappy, many juveniles, I mean thugs all over the place, I felt very intimidated.
The guards used to be professional, now they look like slobs, all baldheaded, looked like poor white trash.
The lady at the information desk near the front doors was rude, she looked overwhelmed, seemed to be understaffed for a holiday weekend of shopping.
We were yelled at by the parking attendant in his directions on where we should park. Even the hotel is showing it's age, I think the place needs a total makeover from top to bottom.
Crown Center you folks used to stand for something, your competition has passed you up.
I was looking for Zoom, the old toy store, didn't know they had moved, visited them at their Plaza location, they say they are much happier there!
Pitch, I think your report is pretty accurate, Right On! David Zimmerman, Overland Park Ks.
I was down at Crown Center last weekend for holiday shopping. I hadn't been down there in like 6-7 years, can't remember. The place has gone down hill, very dirty, the bathrooms were trashed, food lines were long, service was crappy, many juveniles, I mean thugs all over the place, I felt very intimidated. The guards used to be professional, now they look like slobs, all baldheaded, looked like poor white trash. The lady at the information desk near the front doors was rude, she looked overwhelmed, seemed to be understaffed for a holiday weekend of shopping. We were yelled at by the parking attendant in his directions on where we should park. Even the hotel is showing it's age, I think the place needs a total makeover from top to bottom. Crown Center you folks used to stand for something, your competition has passed you up. I was looking for Zoom, the old toy store, didn't know they had moved, visited them at their Plaza location, they say they are much happier there! Pitch, I think your report is pretty accurate, Right On! David Zimmerman, Overland Park Ks.
I always laugh when I see those Crown Center Christmas commercials.
Those three white folks that looks as if they were looking for Town Center, but their BMW took them to 25th and Grand instead. C'mon, that's not a typical CC shopper!
Do people on those commercials really personify the Crown Center shopper, when I'm down there, there are nothing but "Hood Rats"" I don't feel safe one bit!! Saw some security guy roughing up some Hispanic looking fellow, he had his hand on his piece.
I don't feel safe at Crown Center, CC, your commercials are a joke!
I always laugh when I see those Crown Center Christmas commercials. Those three white folks that looks as if they were looking for Town Center, but their BMW took them to 25th and Grand instead. C'mon, that's not a typical CC shopper! Do people on those commercials really personify the Crown Center shopper, when I'm down there, there are nothing but "Hood Rats"" I don't feel safe one bit!! Saw some security guy roughing up some Hispanic looking fellow, he had his hand on his piece. I don't feel safe at Crown Center, CC, your commercials are a joke!
Maybe someone should mention that until last year, the Ice Terrace was the only outdoor rink in Kansas City. Yes, one could choose to skate on the new 10' x 10' ice out south... But that doesn't really do it for me. Also... maybe how the lines and the crowds at the Ice Terrace on a Friday or Saturday night spill out into the parking lots? The Ice Terrace is one of the most reasonably priced places in Kansas City to ice skate. There are no sessions that limit skate time or times when the rink closes for figure skaters or hockey teams. If it wasn't for the Ice Terrace at Crown Center, I probably never would have learned to hockey stop because every other rink in Kansas City is expensive and at least a 20 minute drive from my midtown home.
Maybe someone should mention that until last year, the Ice Terrace was the only outdoor rink in Kansas City. Yes, one could choose to skate on the new 10' x 10' ice out south... But that doesn't really do it for me. Also... maybe how the lines and the crowds at the Ice Terrace on a Friday or Saturday night spill out into the parking lots? The Ice Terrace is one of the most reasonably priced places in Kansas City to ice skate. There are no sessions that limit skate time or times when the rink closes for figure skaters or hockey teams. If it wasn't for the Ice Terrace at Crown Center, I probably never would have learned to hockey stop because every other rink in Kansas City is expensive and at least a 20 minute drive from my midtown home.
Over the years I'v seen Roy Orbison, Brooks and Dunn, skated with my children, been to the Irish Fest, Pumpkin Patch, all three live theatres, and had my anniversary dinner with my wonderful wife at the American. I also have enjoyed a beautiful Christmas setting(including the laughing Santa). I currently have a gift certificate that can indeed be redeemed at all the shops, theatres, restaurants and hotels Of Crown Center. I love the place. Seems to me the Pitch just likes to play Scrooge.
Over the years I'v seen Roy Orbison, Brooks and Dunn, skated with my children, been to the Irish Fest, Pumpkin Patch, all three live theatres, and had my anniversary dinner with my wonderful wife at the American. I also have enjoyed a beautiful Christmas setting(including the laughing Santa). I currently have a gift certificate that can indeed be redeemed at all the shops, theatres, restaurants and hotels Of Crown Center. I love the place. Seems to me the Pitch just likes to play Scrooge.
Claustrophobic Center a.k.a. Crown Center is K.C.'s unintended memorial to the white flight era that created an 'safe for white people' oasis. Crown Center's design purpose is to maintain the protective bubble around white suburbanites as they enter the highly securitized maze in their automobiles. There is no getting around the fact that inner city redevelopment theory during this 'modern' post civil rights era is based in racism. Perhaps Crown Center should hire Shook, Hardy & Bacon to explore tax relief based upon this 'Memorial' status.
Claustrophobic Center a.k.a. Crown Center is K.C.'s unintended memorial to the white flight era that created an 'safe for white people' oasis. Crown Center's design purpose is to maintain the protective bubble around white suburbanites as they enter the highly securitized maze in their automobiles. There is no getting around the fact that inner city redevelopment theory during this 'modern' post civil rights era is based in racism. Perhaps Crown Center should hire Shook, Hardy & Bacon to explore tax relief based upon this 'Memorial' status.
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