55th St.Greg Patterson and Jon Hoffman of University District Venture, LLC were awarded this month’s Sparkle award for the facelift they gave to the historic building located on the corner of Troost and 55th.
This is the second renovation within a much larger plan to breathe new life into the commercial strip that many believe will be the next university and neighborhood hangout. “This area could be a great asset for the University and great for neighborhoods. Right now they are without businesses that one would typically see around a university,” Patterson said.
The renovation included new paint, tuck pointing, replacing terracotta features, adding historically appropriate lighting, replacing doors, and removing security bars from windows. A portion of the project was financed by the Façade Rebate Program. But the work was not all on the façade. A new roof was installed and the back parking lot was cleared of refuse and repaved. Patterson intends to renovate the interior of the 8,575 sq. ft. structure as soon as he has new tenants.
Greg Patterson is highly involved in Southtown as he sits on the Southtown Planning and Development Committee and Cleaver Family YMCA Advisory Board and has real estate and development work throughout the Kansas City area. His investment on Troost proves his faith in the potential of a university district. “This is an under served market of people who live, work and study here. I want to make it a walkable area that has its own distinct feel.”
The Southtown Beautification Committee is pleased to award Mr. Patterson with the Southtown Sparkle Award and thanks him investing in the distinct look of the University District concept.