Mid‑America Real Estate sells Summit Fair, a leading Lee’s Summit retail destination

Mid‑America Real Estate Corporation’s Investment Sales Group announced the sale of Summit Fair, a well‑known retail and dining destination in the southeastern suburbs of Kansas City. Principals Ben Wineman and Joe Girardi served as the exclusive listing brokers on behalf of the seller, Phoenix‑based RED Development. On the buyer’s side, Block & Company, Inc., Realtors — represented by David Block and Zach Albrecht — acquired the property on behalf of a private investment group.

Located off Interstate 470 and U.S. Highway 50 in Lee’s Summit, Summit Fair is an open‑air “lifestyle center” boasting roughly 510,000 square feet of retail space and an occupancy rate near 90%. Anchors in the center include top national names like Dick's Sporting Goods, H&M, DSW and shadow‑anchors such as JCPenney and Furniture Mall of Missouri. The property also supports a broad mix of inline tenants, from retailers and fitness studios to restaurants and specialty shops — including Lululemon, Sephora, Orangetheory Fitness, Pure Barre, and many others.

According to the buyer’s announcement, Summit Fair attracts more than 4.3 million visits annually — placing it among the top 7 percent of shopping centers in Missouri by foot‑traffic performance. The lifestyle center’s pedestrian‑friendly layout, landscaping and walkable storefronts contribute to its popularity as a community gathering place.

With this acquisition, Block & Company now manages ten multi‑tenant centers in Lee’s Summit and plans to build upon Summit Fair’s success. The firm intends to expand the tenant mix, lease available space, and program community‑oriented events — efforts aimed at enhancing Summit Fair’s role as a long-term retail and social hub for area residents.

While earlier listing materials from Mid‑America reported a square‑footage figure of approximately 241,923, the buyer’s and public‑market sources align on the 510,000 SF benchmark. This suggests the larger number likely reflects the full center footprint rather than a subset — underscoring Summit Fair’s scale and regional importance. 

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Header image: The central courtyard of Summit Fair retail center in Lee's Summit, Mo. Image | Mid-American Real Estate

Country Club Plaza owners file Master Plan, detailing vision for revitalization

The new owners of the Country Club Plaza have filed a comprehensive master development plan with the City of Kansas City, outlining a long-term vision to preserve the district’s historic character while reshaping its future as a modern, mixed-use destination.

Submitted by Gillon Property Group, the master plan serves as a roadmap for improvements over the next 10 to 20 years across the landmark shopping center. It aims to balance the Plaza’s century-old charm with new investment, evolving retail trends, and growing demand for residential and office space in Kansas City’s urban core.

At the heart of the plan are five guiding goals: enhancing the public realm, improving walkability, promoting a mix of uses, allowing flexibility in redevelopment, and maintaining the Plaza’s iconic Spanish-Mediterranean architecture.

Proposed updates include wider sidewalks, expanded outdoor seating, and reconfigured streets to make the area safer and more pedestrian-friendly. The plan also calls for more green space, community gathering areas, and event programming designed to increase year-round activity. Vehicle traffic would be reduced or redirected in select areas to create a more pedestrian-focused environment.

The redevelopment framework envisions a broader mix of uses beyond retail, with space reserved for offices, hotels, and potential residential projects. Building height limits ranging from 200 to 275 feet would ensure that new construction remains compatible with the district’s existing scale and architectural identity.

In addition to preserving the Plaza’s terra cotta facades, tile roofs and ornamental details, the proposal outlines a phased approach to investment — beginning with immediate improvements to streetscapes and landscaping, followed by longer-term adaptive reuse and infill development.

City officials will now begin reviewing the plan, which will include opportunities for public input and further refinement. Community meetings are expected later this year before the plan moves to the Kansas City Planning Commission for consideration.

The submission represents a significant milestone for one of Kansas City’s most recognizable destinations, signaling a commitment to revitalization that honors its past while adapting to new patterns of how people live, work, and shop. If approved, the plan could guide the Plaza’s evolution well into the next generation.

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Header image: A rendering showing some changes proposed in the latest master plan for the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Mo. The plan highlights less retail and more green space for visitors. Image | Charter Holdings

The Improve I-70 KC Project is underway and set to bolster development opportunities

Work has started on the Improve I-70 KC project, a $237 million initiative aimed at reshaping a heavily traveled corridor through the city. The improvements are expected to ease congestion, enhance freight mobility, and create ripple effects across Kansas City’s commercial real estate market.

The Missouri Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, is leading the design-build project. Construction will stretch between The Paseo Boulevard and the U.S. 40/31st Street interchange and continue through spring 2028. Plans include adding an additional eastbound lane, replacing 15 bridges, rehabilitating seven others, and realigning multiple interchanges to improve safety and traffic capacity.

Because I-70 serves as a key freight artery, industry observers note that more reliable travel will increase the appeal of warehouse, logistics, and industrial properties near the corridor. Retail and mixed-use developers are also watching the project closely, as upgraded interchanges and pedestrian improvements could spark redevelopment and attract new investment.

The project will be carried out by Clarkson-Radmacher Joint Venture, which was awarded the design-build contract in 2024. It is part of a larger statewide program to modernize nearly 200 miles of I-70 by 2030, underscoring Missouri’s long-term commitment to infrastructure and economic growth.

For commercial real estate professionals, the construction may bring short-term challenges, but the long-term outlook is widely seen as positive. Improved access, stronger freight efficiency, and renewed infrastructure are expected to drive property value gains and open doors for new development along the corridor. As Kansas City positions itself for continued growth, the I-70 project stands as both a transportation upgrade and an investment in the region’s commercial future.

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Header image: Aerial view of the I-70 and I-435 interchange on the east side of Kansas City, Mo. Image | MODot

Conexon sets sights on Crown Center with new downtown headquarters lease

Conexon, a leading rural fiber broadband design and deployment firm, has signed a lease for a new headquarters at 2300 Main St., an 11-story Class A office building near Crown Center and Union Station in Kansas City. The move underscores the area’s growing appeal as a destination for corporate tenants.

The 2300 Main building, which spans approximately 520,000 SF, recently underwent more than $7 million in upgrades, including modernized building systems, lobby improvements, landscaping, and elevator enhancements. These improvements helped raise occupancy from 76 percent to roughly 90 percent.

Conexon, founded by co-CEO Randy Klindt, will consolidate its operations in the new space, which will house network design, construction management, operations, sales, and marketing, as well as a state-of-the-art network operations center and technical support call center. Klindt said the location allows the company to stay close to partners and clients while benefiting from Kansas City’s central location in the Midwest tech and rural broadband markets.

The lease highlights Crown Center’s evolution as a walkable, amenity-rich district combining office space, hotels, restaurants, retail, cultural venues, and open green spaces. Plans for a nearby streetcar expansion, expected to begin operations in 2025, will further improve connectivity for employees and tenants.

Conexon’s headquarters is seen as a boost for downtown Kansas City, reinforcing the city’s emerging status as a hub for tech and infrastructure companies while attracting and retaining talent.

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Header image: 2300 Main Street Building near Crown Center and Union Station will be the new HQ for Conexon. Image | Van Trust Real Estate

2024 KCADC Annual Meeting highlights $1.8B of new investment across the region

The Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) hosted its 2024 Annual Meeting last week, drawing over 2,000 civic and business leaders to celebrate a year of robust regional growth and strategic industry advancements. Under the theme “FLEX,” the event underscored the region’s adaptability as a cornerstone of its success. It highlighted achievements in the Kansas City metro area, including 18 counties across Kansas and Missouri.

Record-Breaking Investments and Job Creation

This year, KCADC and its partners secured commitments from 16 companies, resulting in $1.8 billion in capital investments, nearly 1,500 new jobs, $104.7 million in wages, and 2.3 million SF of new development. These milestones reflect Kansas City’s growing prominence as a hub for innovation and opportunity.

Google’s $1 billion data center in Kansas City, Mo., was among the most notable investments in 2024. Alongside its infrastructure project, Google committed to advancing sustainability by adding 400 megawatts of carbon-free energy to the grid. The company also demonstrated a strong community focus, contributing $100,000 to the North Kansas City School District’s STEM initiatives and announcing an additional $120,000 investment to strengthen STEM programs in Kansas City Public Schools.

Strengthening Global Recognition

Increased media attention has bolstered Kansas City’s growing reputation. Over 630 stories spotlight its economic wins and quality-of-life benefits, reaching an estimated 1.25 billion people globally and enhancing the region’s visibility on the international stage.

KCADC President and CEO Tim Cowden emphasized the importance of leveraging this momentum for future growth, attributing the success to a unified regional vision.

Keynote and Awards

Lisa Bodell, CEO of FutureThink and a best-selling author, delivered the keynote address, offering actionable insights into how simplification can drive efficiency and amplify impact. Her message resonated with attendees, providing tools to help businesses streamline operations and focus on meaningful work.

KCADC has also received accolades for its efforts to promote the region. The organization earned two gold medals from the International Economic Development Council, recognizing its KC Options Magazine and the “KC Design Draft” campaign for excellence in economic development marketing.

Building for the Future

As Kansas City continues to grow, leaders across industries remain focused on fostering a resilient and inclusive economy. From groundbreaking investments in infrastructure and education to enhanced global recognition, the region is poised for sustained success.

The KCADC Annual Meeting reinforced the importance of flexibility and collaboration in shaping the future, ensuring Kansas City remains a leader in innovation and a magnet for talent and investment.

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Header image: Board of Directors incoming co-chair and Evergy President/CEO, David Campbell speaks at the 2024 KCADC Annual Meeting. Image courtesy of the Kansas City Area Development Council