In June 1804, trekkers Lewis and Clark camped where the Kansas and Missouri rivers meet. Clark declared the site, now home to Kansas City, a "beautiful" one for a fort.
CENTER FOR ADVANCED HEART CARE, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS HOSPITAL Architect: RTKL Associates, Dallas Developer: University of Kansas Completed: 2006 Cost: $77 million This 238,000-square-foot medical facility just south of downtown includes 82 private patient rooms, high-tech labs, cardiovascular operating rooms, a patient learning and resource center, and a rehabilitation fitness area.
BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES BUILDING Architect: BNIM Architects, Kansas City, Mo. Developer: DST Realty Completed: 2002 Cost: $11.2 million The 100,000-square-foot downtown building is the headquarters for the local water and electric utility and also houses a hotel. Among its accolades: the 2003 AIA Kansas Merit Award and the 2004 AIA Kansas City Design Award.
HISTORIC FIRE STATION NO. 9 Architect: Susan Richards Johnson & Associates, Kansas City, Mo. Developer: Community Housing Wyandotte County Completed: 2006 Cost: $1 million This circa 1910 firehouse in the Prescott neighborhood underwent a complete restoration last year, earning it the Historic Kansas City Foundation Preservation Award.
SCHLITTERBAHN VACATION VILLAGE Architect: Berger Devine Yaeger, Kansas City, Mo. Developer: Schlitterbahn Resorts Worldwide Planned Completion: 2009 (Phase 1) Cost: $750 million Touted by its developer as the "largest and most elaborate entertainment destination in history," this 376-acre project will include a water park and manmade waterways.
THE LEGENDS AT VILLAGE WEST Architects: Gould Evans Associates, Kansas City, Mo. (architect of record); HTH Group, Beverly Hills, Calif. (design architect); RED Development, Kansas City, Mo. Developer: RED Development Completed: 2006 Cost: $250 million The 1.2-million-square-foot open-air retail and entertainment center has more than 90 stores and restaurants.
COMMUNITYAMERICA BALLPARK Architect: 360 Architecture, Kansas City, Mo. Developers: Ehlert Development Corp., RED Development Completed: 2003 Cost: $12 million Home to the minor league T-Bones, the 5,000-seat stadium is located a few miles from downtown. The venue imitates great baseball parks of the past, with its footprint determined by the existing city grid.
