KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Less than a week after announcing another business planning to be part of Current Landing, the riverside development next to CPKC Stadium, the plans were withdrawn after people voiced concerns over the name.

On Friday, Current Landing posted that Sundown HiFi would join other restaurants and shops at the development, stating it would “offer an immersive audio experience designed around the moments when the day fades and the night begins.”

The press release continued, “Built on the idea that nightlife starts not when it gets loud, but when people lean in, Sundown [HiFi] is centered on the transition from routine to rhythm. As the sun sets and the energy of the city shifts, the space invites guests into an environment where music leads, conversation flows and connection unfolds naturally.”

The KC Blue Crew, the official supporters of the KC Current, took to social media calling for a name change.

“In the year 2026, the history of America and its African American population is not unknown. The use of the name “Sundown” for a dance club is not only racist, but incredibly insensitive to the history of the area in which this team resides. Missouri has had a particularly violent history of sundown towns so it is especially disturbing for a team located in Missouri to chose to name a night club establishment for people to gather at on its grounds, after dark, Sundown Lounge.”

The group called on the KC Current and Palmer Square Real Estate Management, one of the co-developers of Current Landing, not only to “take ownership of their mistake,” but to also highlight “the incredibly rich history and accomplishments of our city’s African American population.”

KCTV5 reached out to those behind Current Landing and was told they didn’t have a comment. While the development and team share the same name, the KC Current is not affiliated with the development. In its statement, the KC Blue Crew did note its disappointment that the team was not celebrating Juneteenth for one of its theme nights.

Casio McCombs, the man behind Sundown HiFi, posted a statement of his own, saying, “I am more than aware of the painful history connected to the phrase ‘sundown’ in certain contexts, particularly the phrase ‘sundown town” and added, “I strongly believe in the power of being able to rewrite narratives but we’ve heard you and understand that not everyone holds that belief.”

The name continued to garner mixed reactions, and by Monday morning, McCombs decided to pull the concept. He took to social media to announce, “I’m deeply disappointed to share that Sundown HiFi will no longer be moving forward.”

He went on to say, “This project was not just about opening a bar. It was about representation…the name Sundown was chosen intentionally. Not to ignore history, but to confront it”. He continued, “In less than 72 hours, a concept I spent years developing was reduced, misinterpreted, and ultimately stripped away – largely by voices outside of the community it was meant to represent.”

He ended his statement by asking Kansas City, “What kind of creativity are we actually willing to support – and who do we allow to shape it?”

KCTV5 spoke to McCombs over the phone Tuesday night, where he said he truly believed in the project at a creative level.

“The name is still essential to the project,” said McCombs. “I didn’t want to water down the project and its intention. As a creative, you build with a sense of direction and emotion. It takes time to pivot on these things.”

When asked about the reaction to the name Sundown HiFi, he said he took time to sit back and listen to the comments, but believes some people are choosing not to see the intention behind the name. He says he moved from the south to Kansas City 12 years ago and has been working as a DJ and in other creative spaces, such as creating “More Than Friends,” a monthly live music experience that is set up in different venues across the city.

While the idea for a more permanent venue had been a thought for years, it slowly began to become a reality late last year and Sundown HiFi was born.

“The name itself is very much to describe the sun going down,” said McCombs. “That part was very intentional. As the sun goes down, your senses are heightened. It wasn’t done with ill intent. I don’t think it was an oversight on my part. The interesting reality of growing up in the south, it helped me figure out where power really lies as far as language goes. I wanted this to be an opportunity for other people to see the word sundown doesn’t have to control or push emotions. My hope was to tie it to the music. Reclamation is a huge thing.”

When asked about what’s next for him, he said he will continue to work on other creative projects as he thinks on the future of this project.