Hawaiian dining concept launches in KC market with Belton location

Two brothers who helped operate Hawaiian Time, a quick casual
restaurant chain with nine Oregon locations, are rolling into the Kansas City market with a similar concept in Belton, the first of as many as a dozen planned for the metro area.

Cameron McNie and Tyler McNie will open Hawaiian Bros Island Grill, 1112 E. North Ave, in February. The brothers partnered with longtime friends and brothers Paul Worcester and Joel Worcester of Worcester Investments to purchase the 2,800-square foot former home of Long John Silver's.

"Our family purchased a single restaurant in 2003 from a Hawaiian family," Cameron McNie said. "We'd never been in the restaurant industry, but the business just exploded from that one location and we grew it throughout Oregon. After working for our family restaurant for many years, my brother and I wanted to branch off and do our own thing."  

The McNie brothers already are scouting a second metro-area location, touring 7-8 potential sites in November.

"We think this is an expandable concept. We have proven that in Oregon, so we're trying to move fast on additional locations," McNie said.

Hawaiian Bros will feature Hawaiian-inspired island décor and an all-fresh menu that includes a signature teriyaki chicken dish, Huli Huli Chicken. At about $8.50, the restaurant's traditional plate lunch includes a main portion of meat, two scoops of white rice, and a scoop of macaroni salad.

"This is a very similar yet different concept than Hawaiian Time. We have re-branded the look and feel to be our own as well as added some new takes on the menu while keeping the core of the traditional plate lunch intact," McNie said. "We've been doing this for 14 years and think we have a good idea of what works."

McNie said the ownership group chose to launch in Belton because of population growth in Belton and Raymore, as well as the ability to purchase the standalone building near Target and Home Depot at the intersection of 58 Highway and Towne Center Drive.  

"There are plenty of other successful establishments nearby, and the square footage is ideal for our operation," McNie said. "We feel our food and price point will be appealing to a wide demographic, allowing us to be successful wherever we are located. We believe the Midwest is ready for Hawaiian plate
lunch."

Hawaiian Bros. rendering courtesy: Clockwork Architecture

Helix Architecture has designs on KCAI student living center expansion

Helix Architecture + Design has been chosen to design a new 250-bed student living center and dining hall for the Kansas City Art Institute. Construction will begin in 2018 on the project, which was made possible by a $10 million anonymous gift through the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation.

Several firms submitted proposals for the student living center, but Helix' plan stood out because it created connections and emphasized relationships between the new student living center, the new garden space and current housing, according to KCAI President Tony Jones. 

"The result will be a thoughtful design that takes into consideration the needs of our students while respecting our historic Rockhill and Southmoreland neighborhoods, and advancing the college's extensive landscape plan," Jones said.

Helix partnered with Denver-based consulting firm Christopher Carvell Architects to land the project. Carvell has developed nationally recognized expertise in the design of "Next Generation" student life facilities.

"It is an honor to work alongside one of the country's leading arts education institutions to redefine the student housing experience and create a space that nurtures the creativity of these young artists," said Reeves Wiedeman, founding principal with Helix Architecture + Design. "KCAI's new student housing project will be a beacon for attracting talent to the campus and our city."

Helix is an award-winning, Kansas City-based design firm consistently ranked among the best in the nation by Architect Magazine. The firm's diverse portfolio of work includes extensive experience with higher education institutions throughout the region. According to a release, the KCAI student housing project includes contemporary dining that will be open to the public and a large terraced garden. 

Located at 4415 Warwick, KCAI is a private, independent four-year college of art and design awarding the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with 13 studio majors. KCAI also offers continuing education courses. Founded in 1885, KCAI is Kansas City's oldest arts organization. For more information, visit www.kcai.edu. 

KC land transfer plan offers key piece for Paragon Star development, infrastructure

The Paragon Star development team is hopeful Kansas City leaders will see a 96-acre annexation request from the City of Lee’s Summit as a win-win for both cities.

The undeveloped land sits on the north side of Paragon Star’s sprawling development area and would provide the final piece of land required for an $8 million extension of View High Road connecting Bannister Road to I-470.  

“A parkway with a similar route has been on the city’s master transportation plan since the 1970’s, and city staff believes this would be a good way to get the road built. We think it's a win-win for both communities,” said Bill Brown, Paragon Star principal. “There’s not a lot of development on that land right now, so it isn’t producing significant tax revenue. However, the creation of a new regional trafficway would stimulate new development in both Lee's Summit and Kansas City.”

A newly created regional Transportation Development District would fully fund planning and construction of the new road adjacent to the future $220 million youth sports complex and entertainment destination just north of I-470 along View High Drive. At full buildout, Paragon Star will include sports fields, restaurants, retail, a hotel, residential, and office buildings.

Under the proposal, Kansas City would "detach" the 96 acres and Lee's Summit would annex the land. The new parkway and additional sports fields and other recreation opportunities envisioned on the 96 acres creates a strong value proposition, according to Brown. 

"The KCMO Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval of the plan to the KCMO City Council, and we're hopeful that the Council will agree with the recommendation," Brown said. "Otherwise, I don't see the parkway and the associated development occurring anytime in the near future, and that would be unfortunate.”

A decision should come in mid-December.

Tuscan design makes a comeback in new Barsto multifamily project

Barsto Construction officially broke ground on The Villas at Ridgeview Falls, a 237-unit luxury apartment complex on the northeast corner of 119th Street and South Ridgeview Road in Olathe.

Developed by J.A. Murphy Group based in Knoxville, Tenn., The Villas at Ridgeview Falls was designed by NSPJ Architects P.A. and will typify a highly detailed, large scale Tuscan Villa through traditional design elements. 

NSPJ brought the vision to life yet maintained "human scale" by using materials true to the original vernacular, according to a release. Visitors will be greeted by lush landscaping at the main entrance, with a single-story club/amenity center just off the main drive for easy access. The rooflines will be sloped to create the sense of a single-family home entrance, opening into a large courtyard that serves as the development's centerpiece.

Additional community amenities include private grilling areas, center pavilion, resort-style pool, fire pit, and fitness trail. Apartments will include large floorplans with luxury finishes, 9-to-10-foot tall ceilings, and 8-foot tall doors. 

Site preparation is underway with plans to go vertical in the first quarter of 2018 and the first units ready for occupancy in the fall. 

This is the third project for the team of Barsto Construction and J.A. Murphy Group, which recently completed the $32 million Metcalf Village Apartments at 162nd Street and Metcalf Avenue.

KC developers and brokers weigh in after KC voters clear #NewKCI for takeoff

Kansas City, Missouri voters overwhelmingly approved public financing for a new $1 billion single-terminal design for KCI. Local development leaders mounted a warrior-like effort to build the case for a new airport over the past month, educating voters about funding and regional business benefits.

Here’s what some of the region’s leading brokers and developers are saying about the vote:

"The new airport should be a big benefit to Kansas City in terms of business development in tourism. Right now connecting airlines are simply avoiding Kansas City, but in the future Kansas City will see increased connections and increased air traffic, and this will be great for new businesses that want to locate in our community." Ken Block, Managing Principal, Block Real Estate Services LLC

“The new KCI terminal is a very important step to for our metropolitan area to continue to compete and bring new business to the region.” –Mike Klamm, Managing Director, CBRE

“A new airport will put us in a position to achieve better connections to other major cities. That’s a must if we expect to attract and sustain Fortune 1000 companies.” –Owen Buckley, President, LANE4 Property Group, Inc.

"KCI airport is Kansas City’s 'front door' for both new companies considering a relocation or expansion of their operations. The convenience of direct flights to more destinations will result in more companies locating their central or regional distribution facilities in Kansas City.” -Ora Reynolds, President and CEO, Hunt Midwest

“The city government, civic and business communities put the time in to explain the importance of the vote, and the public responded.” -Jon Copaken, Principal, Copaken Brooks

“I am impressed by the effort of our Kansas City civic leaders. (This is similar to) bi-state or streetcar or other major big momentum changers, but this one is more important. Very big day for KC.” -Mark Long, Executive Managing Director/Principal, Newmark Grubb Zimmer

“This is a great day for the entire Kansas City metro area. The promise of a new KCI will have an immediate effect on our entire community, as we continue our steady ascent up the nationwide ladder of ‘best places to live and work’. Way to go KCMO voters!” -Nathan Anderson, NAI Heartland

“The new single terminal promises to usher in a wide array of new opportunities for the entire region. I’m excited for what that means for our city’s ability to grow and attract new businesses to the area.” –Russell Pearson, NAI Heartland