Opus industrial spec begins construction, leasing

Project developer, design-builder, architect and engineer of record, The Opus Group, has begun construction on Heartland Meadows Commerce Center, a 182,000-SF industrial development located within the Heartland Meadows Industrial Park.

It will be the first speculative building constructed in the Liberty, Mo. park within the last decade, yet another example of the current, unmistakable strength of Kansas City’s industrial market.

Kessinger Hunter has begun marketing space for up to eight tenants in the newly announced building.

“We’re thrilled to be leasing this new, modern space in the Kansas City market. It’s exciting to see how much the Liberty market has grown and continues to grow. There is demand for spaces like this in a well-established industrial park with a strong labor pool and will serve the needs of businesses and the community alike,” said Matthew Severns, principal in industrial brokerage at Kessinger Hunter.

The speculative development will provide four double entrances, 220 parking stalls, 32-foot clear height, up to 43 dock positions, two drive-in doors, and trailer parking.

Located at 2810 West Heartland Drive (northwest corner of Shepard Road and West Heartland Drive), the location offers nearby access to I-35 and U.S. Highway 69.

Each double entrance emphasizes a wide architectural design element that consists of contrasting colors and projecting canopies. The projecting canopies are designed with high-quality composite panels and illuminated soffits with available overhead wall area to accommodate tenant signage.

The warehouse space features clerestory windows for exceptional natural daylight and uses energy-efficient LED lighting. Construction is scheduled for an August 2021 completion date.

For leasing information, please contact Matthew Severns or Patrick McGannon at 816-842-2690.

Green light for Blue River Commerce Center at former Bannister Federal Complex

The first of seven modern warehouse and industrial buildings is slated to begin this month at the former Bannister Federal Complex, once the site of a massive World War II airplane engine plant and later as the manufacturing hub for America’s nuclear security program.

Bannister Transformation & Development LLC (BTD) made the announcement yesterday (Oct. 22) at the 225-acre site in the heart of south Kansas City along with Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, Sen. Roy Blunt and U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver.

BTD is the private owner and also managed the three-year demolition and clean-up project in preparation of the $135 million redevelopment plan. When complete, the fully-restored property, located at Bannister Road and Troost Avenue, is expected to create more than 1,500 permanent jobs and new economic vitality for the surrounding community.

NorthPoint Development plans to construct a modern industrial park - named Blue River Commerce Center - with 2.6 million SF of new buildings, including a logistics and supply-chain career training center for local job seekers.

“This project is a great example of what can happen when federal and state government work together with private industry. The transformation of this dormant property into a hub of activity will benefit Missouri and south Kansas City for decades to come through new jobs, economic development, and increased commerce and revenue," Gov. Parson said.

The disposition of the site was a collaborative effort between federal and state agencies and private development to guarantee the property would be redeveloped, contribute to the economic resurgence of South Kansas City and save taxpayer dollars.

“This project is transforming an historic site into a modernized manufacturing and distribution hub, which will support new permanent jobs and encourage additional economic development in the Kansas City region. I appreciate the great work Bannister Transformation & Development, and all of their dedicated employees, have done to reach this point. I was proud to support this project and I will continue working with local, state, and federal officials as the redevelopment moves forward,” Blunt said.

A fixture of the economic landscape of South Kansas City since 1942, the obsolete and contaminated former federal manufacturing plant was shuttered more than five years ago when NNSA and the General Services Administration relocated to new facilities. Local and state officials worried that the abandoned site would quickly become blighted and dangerous. But steady community pressure, and leadership from key federal and state stakeholders and the private sector led to a comprehensive plan to raze the more than 3.7 million SF of old buildings and clean up the environmental problems that had accumulated over the long history of the former manufacturing plant.

“This modern industrial complex will eventually yield over 1,500 new jobs. And, for me, that kind of job creation is not just encouraging as I look to the future of our city – it’s also personal. It was at that former plant where I got my first job after moving to Kansas City back in 1968. It is my hope that we can not only continue to grow and transform this vital area of the city, but also that young professionals and future leaders across our community can plant those same roots that have allowed me to make this remarkable place my home for over 50 years,” Cleaver said.

In addition to BTD, the private companies that participated in the demolition and environmental clean-up project include national engineering firm, Olsson Inc.; locally-based construction companies Superior Bowen and Kissick Construction; the Maryland-based environmental firm of S.S. Papadopulos & Associates; and the Chicago demolition firm of Brandenburg Industrial Services.

More than $300 million of new capital investment and several hundred new construction jobs will be generated during the rebuilding period.

What does a Kansas City CRE comeback look like to you?

This week's MWM Broker Spotlight features Logan Rose, who shares his positive perspective, energetic drive and contagious determination as an associate, industrial properties for NAI Heartland.

RT (Rachel Treanor): What does a Kansas City CRE comeback look like to you?

LR (Logan Rose): This year has been a unique challenge for everyone and a year most people would like to forget. Kansas City is full of hard-working and resilient people that can see light at the end of the tunnel. Getting through tough times can open doors to new opportunities.

RT: What was your lightbulb moment to get into commercial real estate?

LR: I came into the CRE world directly out of college, while interviewing and getting a better understanding of what industrial brokerage is all about, I thought my personality traits aligned with what it takes. Having the chance to be a part of a successful industrial team while simultaneously expanding my own brokerage career was appealing to me. I grew up in a commercial construction family, so I was fortunate to have basic knowledge of industrial buildings and their functionality.

RT: Who is your mentor and why?

LR: Russ Pearson and Nathan Anderson at NAI Heartland have served as great mentors to me.  They have taught me the dedication, effort and the attention to detail it requires to be successful in our industry. I continue to learn from them every day – they are excellent teachers.

RT: Who do you mentor?

LR: I mentor my clients on the sales and leasing process and figuring out their true needs in a space. For some of my clients, this is their first-time leasing or purchasing a property and they might have a general idea of what they want, but it’s my job to work out the details and find them a space that will aid in their success.

RT: What gets you excited to get to work every day?

LR: The opportunity to expand my business on a daily basis keeps me excited and motivated. You get out what you put in. Trying to get a little better each day will eventually get me to where I want to be. 

RT: How do you keep your skills sharp in this competitive climate?

LR: The CRE world is certainly a competitive profession. Knowing other young brokers are also trying to advance their careers keeps me motivated to constantly improve and not stay stagnant. Trying to stick to a detailed schedule and plan keeps me sharp.

RT: What deal do you wish for in your future portfolio?

LR: I wouldn’t say I have a specific deal in mind; I’m more interested in continuing to increase the number of transactions I take on. Every deal is different and there is always something you can take away to keep in your tool belt for future use.

RT: What leads do you look for?

LR: My primary areas of focus are Landlord and Tenant representation with regard to leasing, property acquisition and disposition of flex/industrial properties in the KC Metro. I am always looking to make new connections with anyone involved in the CRE world.

RT: How can prospects contact you for more information?

LR: Contact me by email at lrose@nai-heartland.com or by phone at 913-890-2013.

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Staying true to MetroWire Media’s focus on all things commercial real estate, we have added a new, feature column: MWM's BROKER SPOTLIGHT.

The goal is to provide our readers with direct insight to Kansas City’s brightest, up-and-coming CRE professionals.

Discover the true brains behind the build - including their professional focus, career paths, future plans, goals and more.

Know a broker, developer or other KC CRE pro who deserves to be featured in the MWM Spotlight? Please send details to kcnews@metrowiremedia.com.