SMSD Aquatic Center now open thanks to creative partnership

The Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) Aquatic Center is now open for local students – as well as the entire community - thanks to a unique partnership between the school district, Johnson County Parks and Recreation District (JCPRD) and the City of Lenexa.

Planning the facility, which sits in the heart of the new Lenexa City Center in Lenexa, Ks., began in February 2015 as a result of a $223 million bond issue approved by SMSD voters.

The 54,000 SF building includes an innovative design, expansive seating and potential configurations for hosting competitive swim meets.

"Very early on we wanted the design of the building to emulate the sense of moving water. The rolling roof, the shimmering glass, the multi-colored metal panels and the light sculpture in the lobby are a few of the elements that are inspired by water in motion,” said Duane Cash, lead architect on the project with ACI Boland Architects.

The natatorium features a 100-meter olympic-sized pool with a deep end for diving; plus, two 1- meter and two 3-meter diving boards. The pool can be configured in many ways depending on the meet via two movable bulkheads.

The center was designed for education and instruction and includes an additional instructional pool with warmer water and a shallower depth. A third of the pool includes a movable floor that allows for a change of depth from zero inches to seven feet, depending on the activity.

“All of these elements and many more were all about creating a great place to be. Many aquatic centers are perceived to be dark, stuffy, closed off facilities and we wanted to push back against those notions. We wanted this building to be open and inviting, light-filled and healthy. We wanted to foster a sense of community, education, opportunity, athleticism and competition,” Cash said.

The design celebrates the spirit of competition with intentionally designed layers of transparency provided in each area of the building so that viewers, both inside and out, can see events happening within the building.

“We were excited to be a part of the great public plaza that the city had created. With that in mind we wanted (it) to be open and full of light. I envisioned pedestrians walking by or cars driving down 87th Street getting curious about the activities inside and wanting to become involved,” Cash said.

The land for the aquatic center was donated by the City of Lenexa to SMSD and the City also contributed towards the 220-stall parking garage, located adjacent to the aquatic center. JCPRD will operate and provide programming for the aquatic center.

Other partners on the SMSD Aquatic Center project include Counsilman-Hunsaker & Associates, ME Engineers, Bob D. Campbell, BHC Rhodes, Vireo and JE Dunn Construction.

New American Royal complex on the horizon for Kansas City

The American Royal Association is one step closer to its future home after recently acquiring 115 acres in Kansas City, Ks.

The American Royal purchased 47 acres earlier this year. Recently, the Patterson Family Foundation acquired 80 neighboring acres and signed a 99-year lease agreement with the American Royal Association for 68 of those acres, providing the American Royal a total of 115 acres for the new complex.

The Association’s vision is to be the national destination for the food and agriculture industry, the epicenter of agriculture – a vision that will elevate the presence of the longstanding Kansas City tradition.

“My late father, Neal Patterson, believed in the value the American Royal holds for the future of agriculture,” said Lindsey Patterson Smith, member of the American Royal Board of Directors and director of the Patterson Family Foundation.

“This is about more than just building a state-of-the-art complex; it is about creating a place where relevant conversations and events around food, fiber and fuel happen. The American Royal will be a hub that brings people of all ages and backgrounds together to celebrate and advance the industry that impacts all of us every day,” Smith said.

Earlier this fall, the American Royal submitted its preliminary development plan to the Unified Government of Wyandotte County. This submission was the first in a series of requirements the American Royal will complete over the next six months.

This week the planning commission of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County approved the preliminary development plan and the special use permit for the American Royal complex.

The one million plus SF complex with accompanying outdoor plaza/arena will allow for an expansion of the current 14-week programming to 365 days of the year.

The highly flexible facility features over 800,000 SF of indoor, event space including significant barn and exposition areas, three performance arenas, one warm-up arena, a large educational area with integration throughout the entire complex and over 50,000 SF of high-end exhibit space.

The American Royal has been a nationally recognized brand of excellence for more than a century. Beginning in 1899 as the National Hereford Show, the American Royal has evolved into a comprehensive season of food and agriculture activity, hosting a variety of events.

Today, the Kansas City tradition celebrates its 120-year anniversary and is experiencing a successful year of growth and expanded reach.

“Support for the American Royal is strong and growing,” said Glen Alan Phillips, president and CEO of the American Royal.

“We have contestants coming to Kansas City from over 38 states and 14 countries to compete in our various events. Our livestock and equine shows were up in entries and maxed out the current facilities. Our Pro Rodeo sold out, including 200 standing-room-only tickets, and the American Royal World Series of Barbecue continues to be the world’s largest barbecue competition. We’re excited about this continued growth and the opportunities the new complex will provide to fill these needs in the future,” Phillips said.

To create and construct this industry hub, the American Royal selected the design-build team of Gould Evans and JE Dunn Construction. Henderson Engineers will provide mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire and life safety, acoustics, architectural lighting, audio-video, security and technology engineering design services.

“This is one of those design opportunities that, at its core, combines a rich history with a dynamic vision and the challenge to create the experiences that celebrate both,” said Tony Rohr, national managing principal at Gould Evans. “We are proud to be a part of the team to bring the American Royal vision to life.”

A ceremonial groundbreaking is expected to place in Spring 2020, with construction beginning Summer 2020. The core complex is to be complete by Winter 2021. For project updates and information, visit www.americanroyal.com/ournewhome.

Copaken Brooks adds The Walnuts, Plaza Pavilion to condo portfolio

Copaken Brooks is expanding its condominium management footprint in Kansas City. The firm will begin management for The Walnuts at 5049 Wornall Road and the Plaza Pavilion at 4949 Wornall Road, adding a total of nearly 300,000 SF to the current 1.3 million SF of the firm’s growing Class-A condo portfolio.

Just south of the Country Club Plaza stand The Walnuts - a 53-unit, 210,000 SF luxury condominium complex set in historic brick and stone, Jacobean-style buildings.

Around the corner from The Walnuts sits Plaza Pavilion, a five-story, 87,000 SF mid-rise community built in 2000 that houses 50 units, ranging from studios to four-bedroom layouts.

“Our city continues to grow, and with it, (so does) the multifamily market. Our premier condo management team is prepared to advise building owners, condo associations and boards on the best strategies to maximize their value while delivering consistent, high-quality service,” said Mark Thomas, senior vice president of asset and property management at Copaken Brooks.

The Walnuts and Plaza Pavilion join a growing list of condominiums managed by Copaken, including Western Auto Lofts, San Francisco Tower, Wallstreet Tower, Union Carbide Condominiums and One Park Place.

JE Dunn awarded north and south regional military projects

JE Dunn Construction has been selected by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to manage the $24 million design-build Mountain Home Air Force Base clinic modernization project in Idaho as well as the $21.7 million design-build Eglin Air Force Base pharmacy in Florida.

The Mountain Home Air Force Base clinic modernization will support the 366th Medical Group and entail renovating 41,165 SF of multiple departments.

Construction at Mountain Home AFB will begin in 2020 and will be complete in July 2021.

JE Dunn and Hoefer Wysocki have partnered to design and construct the Eglin Air Force Base pharmacy renovations for the 96th Medical Group. This is the 21st project award within the U.S. Air Force Healthcare Facilities Modernization Program. 

“We are thrilled to continue building our federal healthcare portfolio alongside a trusted partner, Hoefer Wysocki,” said JE Dunn group manager, Craig Stearns.

The first phase of renovations includes the outpatient and inpatient pharmacies in the hospital. The satellite pharmacy addition and renovation, which will be designed around an Rx auto-fill robotic system, are included in the second phase of renovations.

The scope includes other MEP work, architectural improvements, and improving the existing classrooms and administrative offices.

This will be the second project JE Dunn has worked on at Eglin. The firm completed the hospital realignment in 2016.

JE Dunn has designed and constructed over $800 million in healthcare facilities at more than 13 military bases across the nation to support the U.S. Air Force Healthcare Facilities Modernization Program over the past 10 years.

Other local partners on the AFB projects include BHC Rhodes, Branch Pattern and Henderson Engineers.

Pulse Design Group announces new president, new office location

Pulse Design Group, an Overland Park, Ks-based architecture firm focused solely on healthcare design, has a lot to celebrate this week - including plans to move into a new office building, a 40-year firm anniversary and a new, incoming president.

Pulse plans to move to 46 Penn Centre, a high-profile Class A office building on the Country Club Plaza located north of 47th Street and east of Pennsylvania Avenue. The facility offers expansive, unobstructed views of the Plaza and will feature 220,000 +/- RSF of office space, approximately 11,000 +/- RSF of retail space and secure and covered parking.

Pulse will occupy approximately 10,000 SF on the 10th floor of the Block Real Estate Services, LLC development, which is slated to be complete by July 2020.

Pulse Design Group’s office relocation coincides with the firm’s celebration of 40 years in business. The firm's steady projections in the healthcare sector and anticipated continued growth steered the decision to land at 46 Penn Centre.

“The move to Missouri makes sense for positioning, provides a central location for our employees as well as proximity to clients and industry partners. The additional amenities that the Plaza offers will be an added benefit to our employees and prospective employees,” said Pulse managing partner, Rick Embers.

In preparation for future growth and increased visibility, the firm has restructured and added strong talent to the leadership team - namely Dennis Burns - who will join Pulse as president in January 2020.

Burns, whose previous positions include president of general contractor StructSure Projects and a business development role at Crossland Construction, understands the built and healthcare environments. He has spent 15+ years in the construction industry and has also gained integral knowledge of the healthcare market sector - two big plus marks for Pulse.

As Pulse president, Burns plans to increase brand visibility, provide strategy and vision, interface with clients and industry partners and be integrally involved in day-to-day firm operations.

“I look forward to enhancing an existing powerful brand and expanding the firm’s geographic reach and client base," Burns said.

Burns is active in several industry organizations, including past president of the Design Build Institute of America’s Mid-America Region (DBIA-MAR), past chair of the Southwest Johnson County Economic Development Council, a KCAHE board member and volunteers for various organizations within the region.

"On behalf of everyone at Pulse Design Group, there is immense excitement about the leadership, vision and positioning that Dennis brings to the firm,” Embers said.