JE Dunn + team break ground on Operation Breakthrough Ignition Lab

Representatives from Operation Breakthrough, Eighty-Seven and Running, GC JE Dunn Construction and the design team recently celebrated the groundbreaking of the Ignition Lab, located at 3030 Troost Avenue in Kansas CIty, Mo.

When Travis Kelce signed a four-year, $57 million contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs in August 2020, his first purchase was the Muffler Shop - that building will soon be transformed into the Ignition Lab, an environment designed to engage teens in real-world learning experiences through workforce development and entrepreneurship, providing multiple pathways after high school.  

“In signing on for six more years with the Chiefs, I’m recommitting myself to the work I have left to do off the field as well. Kids (that) I danced and ate pizza with at OB (Operation Breakthrough) a few years ago are now teenagers navigating a world that doesn’t always have their back,” said Kelce.

The Ignition Lab is the natural next step for students, ages 14-18, who have aged out of Operation Breakthrough’s MakerCity program having acquired basic skills in coding, circuitry, culinary arts, construction and design, digital media, robotics, visual art and more.

“We are excited to close the opportunity gap in STEM.  Helping our children explore a variety of different fields including computer science, automotive and engineering, manufacturing, electronics and multimedia will not only help them figure out what they are passionate about but create opportunities to build a strong portfolio of client work, certifications and capstone projects.  I know of no other program that will provide this range of opportunities for our high school children,” said Mary Esselman, CEO of Operation Breakthrough.

More than 700 urban Kansas City children come to Operation Breakthrough each weekday for nutritious food, lively learning, health and dental care, therapy and TLC, while their parents work or attend school.

The children range from infants to age 14. About 20 percent are homeless. More than 700 percent of families live on annual earnings of less than $12,000, 65 percent of our children witness violence by the age five. More than 90 percent of our 5-year-olds test “school ready” each year, as compared with fewer than 50 percent of children in poverty nationally.

The current Operation Breakthrough MakerSpace and MakerCity STEM spaces promote hands-on collaborative learning in the arts, electrical, robotics, construction, culinary arts, multimedia, automotive and engineering, maker and green tech for children age 5 to 14.

“The vision is to give them a safe haven where they can continue to find role models, discover interests and develop skills once they age out of OB’s after-school program. I’m so excited to be purchasing a building adjacent to OB’s MakerCity that will be the future home of ‘The Ignition Lab, powered by 87 & Running.’ Together with OB’s staff and supporters, we’ll create a co-working space where teens will have the support, resources and opportunity to explore careers in STEM, launch their own entrepreneurial ventures and gain real-world experience,” said Kelce.

Students at the Ignition Lab can enter into the experiences at a beginner level and work through experiences that build proficiency.  When they are ready, experiences are available for mastery development, including when appropriate industry recognized certifications.

When Operation Breakthrough students are at school, area high school students will use the space during the day to enhance their classroom curriculum. The Lab, designed by Clockwork Architecture + Design, is expected to open Fall 2021 at the beginning of the new school year. 

Other project partners include: MEP engineer - Lankford Fendler; structural engineer - STAND Engineering; civil engineer - BHC; owners representative - MC Realty Group; and Solar Consortium.

Before and after pictures of the lab along with some construction video are available via Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1loa9TQsc2mkYnCL71hu1HF9w8Arvhii4?usp=sharing

About Operation Breakthrough: Operation Breakthrough, incorporated in 1971, provides a safe, loving and educational environment for children in poverty and empowers their families through advocacy, emergency aid and education.  It cares for more than 700 children ages six week to 14-years-old every weekday and will be expanding to serve high school students in the fall. www.operationbreakthrough.org

About Eighty-Seven & Running: Founded by Travis Kelce, Eighty-Seven & Running helps underserved youth strive to become productive citizens by mentoring and motivating them to explore and develop their abilities while learning critical life skills. Founded in 2015, it has remained dedicated to providing resources and enrichment opportunities for youth and their communities through fundraising, athletic programs, mentoring, and outreach initiatives. www.87running.org

New Taco Republic opens in Prairie Village's Corinth Square

Taco Republic, an authentic taqueria with house-made margaritas, is opening its second KC location tomorrow, June 10th, in Corinth Square at 4100 W. 83rd Street in Prairie Village, Kan.

The new, larger location replaces the previous Arby's and features almost double the interior seating capacity, a 2,000-SF patio and is its first concept drive-thru.

Owner Whitney VinZant and his team worked with local architecture and interior design firm, Generator Studio on the new design and vision for Taco Republic.

“We worked hard to establish the brand and its attitude with Bread and Butter Concepts ten years ago at the flagship location and were reinvigorated when Whitney Vin Zant acquired the brand. At at our first meeting he said, ‘This place is about tacos, it should be fun.’ That loose attitude about the environment, coupled with Whitney's exacting execution on the food and drink, are the drivers of the evolution of the brand that you will see at the second store,” said Generator Studio co-founder, Mike Kress, AIA, NCARB.

The L-shape patio is designed with a hand-laid stone perimeter, adobe-colored crushed granite flooring, a steel and wood beam awning, landscaping and fire pits, cornhole game area and seating for more than 100 guests.

The new Taco Republic will serve its signature menu; including street tacos, bowls, enchiladas, a smothered burrito and more. The Corinth location will mark the debut of new margarita and mojito flights, offered at both locations.

Grand opening events include giving the first 50 guests in line a customized card for a free taco every day for a year (dine-in only, one per family) and handing out 300 wristbands during the hours of 11 a.m. to noon, 2 to 3 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. on June 10th, 11th and 12th, respectively. The wristbands entitle those wearing them to free queso each time they dine at Taco Republic for the next 365 days.

Taco Republic is open Monday from 4-9 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. In addition to dine-in, a limited version of the menu is available for carryout and delivery online through ChowNow.

VinZant and operating partner Corey Gonzalez also own local favorites Gram & Dun, Va Bene, Louie’s Wine Dive, Fresko (Des Moines), The Latin King (Des Moines) and BRGR.

New construction continues at John Knox Village

John Knox Village has broke ground on the Meadows II apartment building, an $18 million, 121,410-SF addition that will tie in with the existing Meadows building built in 2017.

“This is a very top-end, very nice facility,” said Jeff Wasinger, vice president of the Haren Companies, the general contractor on the project. “To be part of something that is as first-class as this project is going to be a lot of fun for us.”

The four-story building will sit atop a 52-space parking garage and add 52 apartments with full kitchens, washers and dryers, sunrooms, walk-in closets, balconies and common spaces on each floor for amenities. There will also be ample space for residents, with floor plans averaging 1,257-SF per unit.

“The Meadows II project is a continuation of the redevelopment of our campus.  ‘Reimagining John Knox Village’ was a phrase we used a few years ago and still holds true today.  Our new project development has continued full speed ahead even through the pandemic.  Now more than ever, retirees are seeing the value of community and all the support possible through living at John Knox Village,” said John Knox Village president and CEO, Dan Rexroth.

The Meadows II is part of John Knox Village's redevelopment plan and is expected to be open to residents in late summer 2022.

“People who are ready to move to senior living are at a life transition and John Knox is successful because they care about their tenants and clients and they do it the right way,” said Wasinger.

In addition to senior living, Haren also specializes in municipal projects, fire stations, retail, commercial, historic renovation, mixed use, multifamily and daycare.

Haren Companies, a fourth-generation, family-run business based in Lenexa, Kan., has been in the senior living market for around 15 years and has done multiple projects for John Knox Village — including the Village Assisted Living 400 wing, renovations for the original Meadows building and a memory care unit.