Twin Creeks Village infrastructure breaks ground

The North Platte Purchase Drive, Line Creek Parkway, and North Tiffany Springs Road improvements broke ground yesterday in Kansas City, MO.

McClure, MD Management, Superior Bowen, and the City of Kansas City are working together to complete an infrastructure project that will open up the adjacent ground for development opportunities within the Twin Creeks Village area.

“With today’s transportation infrastructure groundbreaking, the City of Kansas City, Missouri will see opportunities for growth in population, property tax base, and sales tax,” said Alicia Stephens, executive director of the Platte County EDC.

“Our Northland TIF’s do exactly what is intended—fund our infrastructure," Stephens said.

The project, led by MD Management, consists of an extension of Line Creek Parkway and Tiffany Springs Road, North Platte Purchase Drive improvements and sanitary sewer extensions throughout the area. These improvements will facilitate the development of a new sports complex, future development of Platte County R-3 School District facilities, as well as new commercial and residential development areas.

"This project has been a long time coming, and it’s good to finally see it kick-off,” said Councilman Dan Fowler. “I’m very excited about the opportunities it will bring, not only to the Northland, but to the entire city,” Fowler added.

“Today, we are taking steps to bring positive enhancements to this community,” said Erika Feingold, VP of MD Management. “We are fortunate to be able to form a productive public/private partnership with the City to produce an area that will be home to educational, recreational, and commercial endeavors,” Feingold said.

This is the first step towards the full realization of the Twin Creeks Plan, the largest planned growth area in Kansas City.

CoWork KCI to open soon in the Northland

EnCorps Partners, LLC. will soon open Cowork KCI, a 283,000 SF Class-A property located in the Platte County, MO., KCI corridor.

Co-working experts and EnCorps partners, Robert L. Curland and Terri S. Turner, who also helped launch iWerx North Kansas City and iWerx Gladstone, say CoWork KCI features traditional and co-working office options.

“Co-working and flex real estate solutions are reshaping the U.S. office market,” said Turner, who also serves as president of the Kansas City Coworking Alliance.

“We are excited to provide an innovative approach to office space designed to meet the needs of contractors who are rebuilding the airport terminal and growing the KCI corridor,” Turner said.

CoWork KCI plans to promote business growth in the KCI corridor and serve as a catalyst to local and visiting business professionals.

“Our vision is to provide a resource to contractors and vendors who need turnkey offices and collaboration spaces on a month-to-month basis as they build the airport,” Curland said.

The Kansas City AFL-CIO and Veterans Community Project have endorsed the CoWork KCI vision and project.

“As Kansas City continues to grow, we are experiencing a shortage of Class-A office space,”stated Edward Collins, founder of Collins Cook Realty and buyer of 12200 NW AmbassadorDrive, the property which houses CoWork KCI.

Whether members choose traditional or co-working office space, all are afforded access to dozens of amenities including community kitchens, free parking, marketing support and 24/7 secured access. Co-working space is offered on a month-to-month basis with no large upfront deposits or fees.

EnCorps Partners, LLC works with developers and city officials to create sustainable, flex office spaces tailored to community needs. Curland and Turner currently are offering a pre-opening special and can be reached at info@CoworkKCI.com.

KC Marriott Downtown completes $65M remodel

After eight years, the Kansas City Marriott Downtown's $65 million renovation is complete. The major investment includes a $44 million transformation of its 970 rooms into luxurious, technology-forward spaces designed for the modern traveler.

The Raphael Hotel Group, led by the Pistilli family, manages the flagship property, located in the heart of downtown Kansas City; steps from the streetcar, entertainment and attractions.

The new, modernly-designed rooms include modular furniture as well as a focus on technology. Each room includes an average of six USB ports, fast Wi-Fi and a 55-inch, high-definition smart television, ready to stream top services like Netflix, Hulu and more.

The hotel took extra steps to include green initiatives in the renovation plan by including a temperature-controlled energy system in each room. The system automatically resets when guests enter or leave a room. An extensive recycling program, composting, pens and note pads made from recycled material and paperless billing add to the hotels' green efforts.

“The $65 million invested back into the Kansas City Marriott Downtown is a commitment to continue providing the highest level experience for visitors and locals alike,” said Cynthia Savage, Raphael Hotel group vice president.

All beds in the 430 king rooms, 501 queen rooms and 39 suites, were replaced with the hotel's signature Marriott Bed and Marriott Bedding. The Marriott Bedding is curated, aimed to give each guest a luxurious sleep experience while the Marriott Bed markets to distribute body weight evenly and reduce pressure points for a serene sleep experience.

Additionally, the new bathrooms feature walk-in showers and are outfitted with spa-quality furnishings and features, including back-lit mirrors.

Artist Anthony Benton Gude, grandson of famous Missouri-born muralist Thomas Hart Benton, created an abstract jazz interpretation piece for every room, in honor of Kansas City’s jazz culture.

The lobby provides locals and visitors a perfect work-life balance. During the day, the adaptive, technology-friendly area serves as a space to recharge or use as a remote workspace. The area features Coffee Central, the hotel's quick-service coffee shop, a breakfast bar and a large two-story waterfall.

The lobby bar, Bar Central, offers locals and travelers a place to mix and unwind at communal tables with local beer, wine and spirits.

The hotel is equipped with a team of more than seventy experienced event and banquet associates and thirty-five customizable event spaces, ranging from a few hundred square feet to ballrooms as large as 17,000 SF.

For locals, the hotel holds an average of more than 300 social events a year, and provides high-quality dining experiences at Bar Central and its restaurant, MetropolitanKC.

The 22,000 SF fitness center on the 22nd floor offers expansive views, state-of-the-art fitness equipment, on-demand classes and an open-year-around, indoor pool. Locals can utilize the fitness center as well with a no-contract membership for only $45 a month.

The locally owned hotel is the largest hotel in the region, attracting more than 323,000 guests annually and hosting more than 900 meetings and events a year.