KC developers and brokers weigh in after KC voters clear #NewKCI for takeoff

Kansas City, Missouri voters overwhelmingly approved public financing for a new $1 billion single-terminal design for KCI. Local development leaders mounted a warrior-like effort to build the case for a new airport over the past month, educating voters about funding and regional business benefits.

Here’s what some of the region’s leading brokers and developers are saying about the vote:

"The new airport should be a big benefit to Kansas City in terms of business development in tourism. Right now connecting airlines are simply avoiding Kansas City, but in the future Kansas City will see increased connections and increased air traffic, and this will be great for new businesses that want to locate in our community." Ken Block, Managing Principal, Block Real Estate Services LLC

“The new KCI terminal is a very important step to for our metropolitan area to continue to compete and bring new business to the region.” –Mike Klamm, Managing Director, CBRE

“A new airport will put us in a position to achieve better connections to other major cities. That’s a must if we expect to attract and sustain Fortune 1000 companies.” –Owen Buckley, President, LANE4 Property Group, Inc.

"KCI airport is Kansas City’s 'front door' for both new companies considering a relocation or expansion of their operations. The convenience of direct flights to more destinations will result in more companies locating their central or regional distribution facilities in Kansas City.” -Ora Reynolds, President and CEO, Hunt Midwest

“The city government, civic and business communities put the time in to explain the importance of the vote, and the public responded.” -Jon Copaken, Principal, Copaken Brooks

“I am impressed by the effort of our Kansas City civic leaders. (This is similar to) bi-state or streetcar or other major big momentum changers, but this one is more important. Very big day for KC.” -Mark Long, Executive Managing Director/Principal, Newmark Grubb Zimmer

“This is a great day for the entire Kansas City metro area. The promise of a new KCI will have an immediate effect on our entire community, as we continue our steady ascent up the nationwide ladder of ‘best places to live and work’. Way to go KCMO voters!” -Nathan Anderson, NAI Heartland

“The new single terminal promises to usher in a wide array of new opportunities for the entire region. I’m excited for what that means for our city’s ability to grow and attract new businesses to the area.” –Russell Pearson, NAI Heartland

Park Place Partners, Hunt Midwest take innovative swing at luxury rental market

Park Place Partners and Hunt Midwest Residential Development have formed a joint venture to co-develop the metro area's first luxury rental villa community located on a golf course. Construction began in mid-2017, with the first homes available for occupancy by February 2018. 

Built by Lambie Custom Homes, The Fairways at City Center will include 80 twin villas with premium views of Canyon Farms Golf Course, all within walking distance to Lenexa City Center. 

Melanie Mann, who co-developed Leawood's successful Park Place mixed use project along with partner Jeff Alpert, said The Fairways at City Center responds to a growing renter-by-choice segment and caters to renters of all ages who don't want to sacrifice having a yard, basement, or garage space.

"Through our experience in other rental communities, we have found strong demand for larger, high-quality rental residences," Mann said. "People are selling their larger family homes and are looking for more flexibility. These villas help bridge the gap between single-family home ownership and the increasingly popular luxury apartment rental option."

The partnership brings together the creative, mixed-use expertise of Mann and Alpert with the wide and deep experience of Hunt Midwest Residential Development, which has more than 3,000 acres of land currently under development within the Kansas City metropolitan area including award-winning communities in Kansas City's Northland, Lee's Summit and Raymore, Missouri.

"Melanie and Jeff are known innovators in the local development community, and this has been a great partnership," said Ora Reynolds, president and CEO of Hunt Midwest. "Hunt Midwest is actively pursuing new residential concepts, including multifamily, senior housing and now, villa-style rental homes."

• Features of The Fairways at City Center include:
• -Approximately 2,200 square feet of finished space
• -3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath units, which includes a flex room for office or guest use
• -2-Car garage
• -Rents starting at $2,800 per month
• -80 percent of homes include a golf course view
• -High-end finishes include granite countertops, stainless steel kitchen appliances, hardwood floors.
• -Maintenance provided

For more information, visit www.fairwayvillascitycenter.com; or call 913.283.9958.

Luxury rental villas are under construction for The Fairway at City Center with occupancy expected in 2018.

Pendleton Flats lifts housing options for Paseo Gateway

The $4.5 million Pendleton Flats apartment community officially opened on Wednesday, adding 30 modern, amenity-rich apartment units at affordable rent rates in the Paseo Gateway neighborhood on Kansas City's east side.

“The development itself is a gorgeous turnaround for a formerly partially vacant, blighted apartment complex in Pendleton Heights,” said Brinshore Development LLC President David Brint. “Pendleton Flats has excellent access to job centers, transportation, cultural institutions, parks and amazing housing stock within a stone’s throw of downtown.”

The three-building complex at 555 Olive St. replaces the former crime-ridden Brooklyn Heights complex and represents a safe, family-friendly housing option with amenities such as on-site management, bike racks, an intercom entry system, central AC, private balconies, in-unit washer/dryer, dishwasher, secure and off-street parking and Energy Star appliances. 

Chicago-based Brinshore Development served as master developer, with support from local partners including the  Housing Authority of Kansas City; Affordable Housing of Kansas City, Inc.; Kansas City, Missouri; United Way; and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). 4Sight Construction Group served as general contractor, and Rosemann & Associates PC provided consulting services.

Pendleton Flats is the first project associated with a $30M federal housing grant received by the City of Kansas City, Missouri in 2015. Brinshore and HAKC will break ground over the next year on three additional replacement housing projects in the Paseo Gateway neighborhood, which covers almost one-square mile and includes approximately 4,800 residents. 

Local dignitaries such as City Manager Troy Schulte, and Kansas City councilmen Quinton Lucas, Jermaine Reed and Scott Wagner attended the grand opening, as well as Housing Authority Kansas City leaders Donovan Mouton and Ed Lowndes.

The development was designed and constructed to comply with the Enterprise Green Communities Certification standards, which aim to help improve health, economic and environmental benefits to residents.

Developers and local dignitaries celebrated the opening of the Pendleton Flats apartment complex in the Paseo Gateway neighborhood on Oct. 25. 

Lenexa Civic Center is main dish at October CREW KC luncheon

Construction and project updates for Lenexa’s landmark $75 million, 200,000-square foot Civic Center development were on the menu at CREW KC’s quarterly luncheon, with project managers from the City of Lenexa, PGAV Architects, JE Dunn Construction and CBC Real Estate Group offering insight into everything from design challenges to project timelines.

Beccy Yocham, City of Lenexa director of community development, provided an overview of the multi-use project at 87th Street and Renner Blvd. In July, the new City Hall and Recreation Center opened, followed by the Lenexa Public Market in September. By the end of the year, construction will begin on a new branch of the Johnson County Library, as well as a $22 million Shawnee Mission School District aquatic facility and parking garage just north of the civic campus.

Jennifer Goeke, project manager for PGAV Architects, and Susan Schaefer, senior project manager for JE Dunn Construction, provided insight into the meticulous care and challenges involved in the design and construction process.

“Our goal was to create a unique sense of place for the City of Lenexa with pedestrian connectivity and really ‘activating the streets.' " Goeke said. “There was a lot of intent involved with the selection of materials and overall design to express the different components of the City Hall, Public Market and Recreation Center. One of the challenges was incorporating building services such as transformers, trash, utilities and loading docks because the buildings in this project don’t have a back side. They are all 360 degrees facing either public plazas or neighboring developments.”

Constructibility challenges included the 5-story, 500-space parking garage with a slight bend along 88th Street to maximize space within the project site. “This slight kink in the garage design added a month to the engineering process and at least a week to the erection process,” Schaefer said. "This was a 100 percent collaborative effort from beginning to end."

The collaborative spirit helped create friendships that made for a bittersweet conclusion to the massive three-year project, according to Michelle Kaiser, senior project manager for owner’s representative CBC Real Estate Group.

“The team spent a lot of time together over a two or three-year period, working all day and then bonding at Happy Hour ‘work sessions.' " Kaiser said. “It’s sad when you end such a great project after working with such a great team. There’s a bit of a let-down.”

Lenexa Civic Center is part of Lenexa City Center, a 200-acre, mixed-use development spanning all four corners of 87th Street Parkway and Renner Boulevard. For more information, click here.

Lenexa Director of Dommunity Development Beccy Yocham teed up discussion of the Lenexa Civic Center project at CREW KC's quarterly luncheon at Grand Street Cafe.

Red Bridge set to rise and shine with plans for new breakfast eatery

Lane4 Property Group's re-awakening of Red Bridge Shopping Center in South Kansas City continues with the announcement that Caleb’s Breakfast and Lunch will open in early 2018.

The new concept by Rebecca Huntsman will offer classic breakfast and lunch fare in a family-friendly environment. The breakfast business is a natural fit for Huntsman, whose father brought First Watch into the Kansas City area more than 30 years ago. But she says Caleb’s is about much more than food.

“We want to know the community. We want to be the community. We want to know the people that walk in our door, know how many grandchildren they have and what’s going on in their lives. And while we are getting to know the community, we’ll serve great food,” Huntsman said.

LANE4 President Owen Buckley said the father and daughter team have a strong and successful operating history in the region, making them ideal tenants for Red Bridge.

“I helped Ron secure his original First Watch restaurant at 95th and Metcalf 30 years ago,” Buckley said. “It’s really fun to work with him again… (They) are as excited as we are about delivering a great product to this special community.” 

Caleb’s is among a growing number of locally-owned and operated businesses choosing to locate in the Red Bridge Shopping Center.

“We see the retail market shifting and we see the strength in quality, local businesses. They add character and strength to our centers; that’s who we want at Red Bridge,” LANE4 Vice President Brandon Buckley added.

Red Bridge has moved from 50 percent to 80 percent occupancy since renovations were completed in early 2017, with Euston Hardware, Blue Bicycle and SERC Physical Therapy opening new locations. In addition, Blue Moose Bar & Grill, Aerial Fitness, and Crows Coffee are all in various stages of design and construction. Design is underway for Wonderscope Children’s Museum, with groundbreaking targeted for 2018.