Kansas City TIF Commission approves $484 million redevelopment plan for historic Scarritt Building

Kansas City’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Commission has approved backing for a roughly $480 million redevelopment plan that would transform the Scarritt Building, a historic downtown skyscraper, into a mixed-use complex featuring a luxury hotel, apartments, retail, and a music venue.

Under the plan, the Scarritt Building at 818 Grand Boulevard would be adaptively reused as a 167-room destination hotel branded by Universal Music. The broader project, located on the 800 block of Grand Avenue, would also include a residential tower with 319 multi-family units, about 28,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, and a 1,400-seat music and entertainment venue.

Port KC, the public development authority driving the project, approved the resolution to issue up to $480 million in taxable revenue bonds to support the development. Construction is expected to take place in two phases over roughly five years, with work on the Scarritt Building renovation slated to begin in 2026.

The Scarritt Building, completed in 1907, is one of downtown Kansas City’s oldest skyscrapers. It has been largely vacant in recent years but carries historic significance, having been added to historic registers.

The redevelopment effort seeks to pair preservation of the landmark building with catalytic growth for the surrounding Grand Corridor. Officials argue that restoring the Scarritt Building — alongside new housing, retail, and entertainment — aligns with broader goals of revitalizing the city’s core and driving long-term economic vitality.

If all goes according to plan, the development could bring new residents, visitors, and cultural amenities to downtown Kansas City, anchored by the historic Scarritt Building and powered by modern investment.

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Header image: An aerial rendering highlighting the historic Scarritt Building at 818 Grand Blvd. in the Grand Corridor of downtown Kansas City. Image | Hoefer Welker

Indian Springs redevelopment nears $1 billion with updated plans.

The redevelopment of the former Indian Springs Mall site in Kansas City, Kansas, led by Eastside Innovation Kansas LLC in partnership with Arnold Development Group, has entered a new phase of expansion and escalation in cost. The site, a 90-acre parcel near the intersection of Interstate 635 and Interstate 70, will be renamed Midtown Station and is envisioned as a vibrant, mixed-use destination encompassing residential, retail, sustainable infrastructure and transit-oriented amenities. 

Under the initial plan, the development was expected to include approximately 1,475 apartment units, 63 single-family homes and 150 townhomes, around 280,000 square feet of retail space, a 168-room hotel with conference facilities, a grocery store and a 30-acre solar microgrid powering the site. The projected cost at that time was up to $700 million. 

Recent reports, however, indicate the plan has grown in both scale and cost. As of November 2025, the estimated investment has increased to approximately $951 million. 

This reflects the added complexity and ambition of the project, including deeper commitments to sustainability, transit connections and inclusive housing. According to local coverage, the full build-out may extend over six to twelve years, depending on market conditions and partner negotiations. 

The redevelopment will remain oriented around transit, walkability and sustainability. The design leverages the site’s proximity to major highways and public transit hubs, while the inclusion of the solar microgrid and green building practices underscores its emphasis on future-proof infrastructure. Community stakeholders view Midtown Station as a long-awaited catalyst for renewal in eastern Wyandotte County, replacing the decades-old mall footprint that had become a symbol of decline. 

Approval of a formal development agreement with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas is expected in early 2025, with construction slated to begin by mid-2025. 

As details continue to evolve, the expanded budget and enriched program signal a strong commitment by Eastside Innovation and its partners to deliver a transformative project that redefines the site’s future and its place in the region’s growth.

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Header image: An aerial rendering of the Indian Springs Mall redevelopment, Midtown Station, in Kansas City, Kan. Image | Arnold Development Group

Kansas City Industrial Growth: Smarter Sites, Stronger Collaboration

MetroWire Media closed out its 2025 programming with a standout KC MWM Industrial Summit, hosted at Johnson County Community College. With rising construction costs, evolving tenant expectations, and major infrastructure needs, our expert panel explored what’s driving Kansas City’s industrial momentum—and how the region is positioning for what’s next.

Special thanks to our sponsors who made this event possible:

Platinum Sponsors: JE Dunn Construction, Miller Stauch Construction
Bronze Sponsors: Bartlett & West, ARCO, Seal-O-Matic, Armstrong
Brew Crew Sponsors: Capitol Federal, KC SmartPort, BHC, studioNorth Architecture

What Makes KC Competitive?

Chris Gutierrez of KC SmartPort opened the conversation: “Every company that comes here asks how we got Missouri and Kansas in the same room from the start. That collaboration is our edge.” He emphasized KC’s multimodal freight infrastructure, industrial developer base, and workforce reliability as top selling points.

Construction Cost Pressure and Preconstruction Strategy

Ryan Schroeder of Russell Construction pointed to a slowdown in private investment due to high interest rates, but stressed that early collaboration is a winning formula: “Clients want cost and schedule certainty. That means contractors must be involved from the design phase, not just at bid time.”

Above: Attendees at MetroWire Media’s 2025 Industrial Summit listen in as the panel discusses the current state of Kansas City’s industrial real estate market. Image | BGSTUDIOS PHOTOGRAPHY + FILM

Speculative vs. Build-to-Suit: Staying Disciplined

Brent Peterson of NAI Heartland provided perspective from the leasing and capital markets side: “KC has been disciplined about what we build, and that’s why we’re still absorbing. Most activity today is build-to-suit, but spec buildings remain vital—especially smaller footprints under 500,000 SF.”

Infrastructure Is Now a Front-End Issue

Krizia Diaz, leading JE Dunn’s industrial manufacturing sector, discussed how “pad-ready” doesn’t always mean infrastructure-ready: “We’re helping clients pivot mid-project to phase development or self-supply utilities like wastewater treatment or power generation. That shifts design, cost, and timeline significantly.”

Flexibility in Design: The New Standard

Kevin Polit of studioNorth Architecture explained how flexible shell buildings support long-term utility: “You’re not just designing for one tenant anymore. You’re building a platform that can support automation, manufacturing, cold storage, or ESG upgrades over decades.”

John Krudwig of Bartlett & West agreed, adding: “We’re designing spec with build-to-suit in mind—high-performing roof structures, flat floors, even modular under-slab systems for future use. It’s more rewarding, more strategic.”

Automation Expectations Are Real—and Rising

Karley Felz, an automation systems expert, shared how tenant demands are shifting: “Automation is no longer optional. With labor tight, tenants want high-speed connectivity, stronger slabs, and wider column spacing. We’re seeing higher employee satisfaction too—robots aren’t replacing people, they’re supporting them.”

Data Centers: Boon or Bottleneck?

The discussion turned to KC’s growing data center market. With Meta and Google investing billions, power availability is now a gating factor. “These aren’t one-and-done builds,” said Gutierrez. “They upgrade every two years. But they also generate secondary demand—construction, manufacturing, automation. It’s an ecosystem.”

Panelists noted the need for better long-term planning around power generation, with Kevin Polit citing innovations like small modular nuclear reactors as viable mid-term solutions. Brent Peterson explained that the “$100 billion” data center numbers are cumulative over decades, reflecting upgrades, infrastructure, and equipment, not just construction.

Above: Guests mingle at the MWM 2025 Industrial Summit at Johnson County Community College before the panel discussion.

Looking Ahead: Where's the Growth?

The panel identified I-35 south of Olathe, Liberty/Northland, and Lee’s Summit as key corridors for future development. “We need more product,” said Gutierrez. “When interest rates drop, we’ll need those buildings ready to go.”

John Krudwig confirmed that multiple spec projects are in design across the region. Peterson added: “Post-2008, speculative development changed our market. If you build it—smartly—they will come.”

The Workforce Pipeline Starts Now

Several panelists praised Kansas City’s workforce development infrastructure, with Ryan Schroeder sharing a personal anecdote about a Rockhurst student exploring trade school: “This generation sees the trades differently—and we should be encouraging that.”

In Closing: Collaboration Remains KC’s Superpower

Angela Dicioccio, MetroWire’s Event Director, wrapped the event: “What makes Kansas City work is the collaboration between developers, designers, builders, and economic partners. We’re already planning for 2026—and with the World Cup coming, Kansas City is about to take the global stage.”

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Header image: Panelists discuss what's driving the Industrial real estate market in the Kansas City region at MetroWire Media's 2025 Industrial Summit at the Regnier Center- Johnson County Community College. Image | BGSTUDIOS PHOTOGRAPHY + FILM

Amazon expands Midwest presence with 1.1 million-SF Olathe facility

Amazon has finalized the purchase of a 1.1 million-square-foot warehouse at the northwest corner of 175th Street and Hedge Lane, strengthening the company’s regional logistics network in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

The new facility, announced Oct. 20, 2025, is among the largest industrial properties in Johnson County. Strategically positioned near major highways and freight routes, the site will serve as a key hub for fulfillment and distribution operations, enhancing Amazon’s ability to meet growing consumer demand across the Midwest.

City and county leaders view the project as a major investment that will bring jobs, infrastructure upgrades, and increased visibility to Olathe’s expanding industrial corridor. Economic development officials collaborated with Amazon to identify and secure the site, citing its accessibility and room for continued growth.

While specific details of Amazon’s operational plans have not been disclosed, similar large-scale facilities typically support hundreds of full-time roles, along with seasonal and contract positions. Local officials emphasized that the project aligns with ongoing efforts to attract high-capacity logistics users and diversify the region’s economic base.

The facility’s scale and location underscore Olathe’s emergence as a distribution hub within the Kansas City market, complementing other major developments along the 175th Street corridor. Construction and site improvements are expected to progress in phases before the building becomes fully operational.

Amazon’s investment marks another step in the company’s continued push to expand its national network, positioning large-format fulfillment centers closer to key population centers for faster, more efficient delivery.

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Header image 175th Steet Commerce Center in Olathe, Kan. Photo | McClure

Olathe Council approves incentives for Lineage cold storage facility

The Olathe City Council has granted tax incentives to Lineage Inc. for the construction of a new automated cold storage warehouse, a project projected to exceed $300 million in investment and add hundreds of jobs to the region.

The state-of-the-art facility will rise near 175th Street and Lone Elm Road, covering roughly 219,000 SF on a 146-acre site. Once operational, the project is expected to generate around 200 long-term positions, with an average starting salary of about $60,000. The site selection aligns with Olathe’s employment corridor goals, reinforcing the city’s strategy to attract industrial and logistics-focused growth.

City officials approved a $23 million package of tax incentives for the project, which may include a combination of industrial revenue bonds and property tax abatements. The incentives are contingent upon performance benchmarks tied to job creation, investment thresholds, and operational safety standards.

The council’s approval followed months of review and a close 5-2 vote after the city’s Planning Commission initially recommended denial. Olathe staff cited the project’s alignment with future land-use plans and the city’s ability to support the infrastructure needs of a large-scale industrial operation.

The fully automated facility will serve as a regional logistics hub, supporting food producers, distributors, and retailers throughout the Midwest. Construction is expected to begin in 2026 with completion anticipated by 2027.

City leaders have positioned the Lineage development as a significant step toward expanding Olathe’s role in national supply chain operations. They emphasized that the project will contribute to long-term economic stability, create skilled employment opportunities, and enhance the city’s standing as a center for advanced logistics and cold storage innovation.

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Header image: A rendering of the proposed 219,000 SF automated cold storage facility coming to Olathe, Kan. Photo | The City of Olathe