Unique incentive, multi-tenant footprint attract companies to Hunt Midwest Business Center

Hunt Midwest is seeing strong leasing activity for two Class A industrial buildings at Hunt Midwest Business Center (HMBC), a 2,500-acre commercial development in Clay County at I-435 and Parvin Road.

Four new tenants totaling about 250,000 square feet are leasing space in HMBC Logistics I and II, including American Tire Distributors Inc., ORBIS Corporation, Spartan Motors, Inc., as well as a leading supplier to the e-commerce industry set to open in April.

Each tenant qualified for a 100 percent, 25-year tax abatement. According to CBRE’s Austin Baier, who handles leasing for the buildings, the Enhanced Enterprise Zone incentive is helping close deals.

"The unique tax abatement available at HMBC really gets the attention of warehouse users. Once a tenant qualifies, then the whole building is qualified, so both HMBC Logistics I and II are solidified and locked in. That guarantees companies a true 100 percent tax abatement for 25 years," Baier said. 

Mike Bell, Hunt Midwest vice president of commercial real estate, agreed: "The EEZ is a game changer for companies looking to locate in HMBC. With the tax incentives offered, companies are benefiting greatly from substantial savings."

The robust leasing activity validates Hunt Midwest’s strategic decision to invest in multi-tenant facilities geared to tenants starting at 40,000 square feet, according to Hunt Midwest President and CEO Ora Reynolds. The strategy has been so successful, a third multi-tenant building is on the books.

"Phase 5 of the Hunt Midwest Business Center includes a third 200,000 SF multi-tenant building along with room for additional buildings ranging from 450,000 to 1.2 million square feet. As businesses grow, we will have the inventory to meet their growing demands within HMBC," Reynolds said.

Hunt Midwest co-developed the buildings with Chicago-based HSA Commercial. 

Burns & McDonnell pumps up design-build presence with veteran hire

Burns & McDonnell is aiming for a bigger slice of the Kansas City commercial construction market, hiring KC architecture and design veteran Trevor Hoiland to lead its growing commercial design-build team.

In the newly created position of Design Manager, Hoiland brings 20 years of experience designing some of Kansas City’s most visible projects, including the world headquarters of H&R Block and AMC Entertainment.

“My world has been the corporate office environment and office campus master plans. I think now as I'm designing, it is a faster speed-to-market that I find intriguing,” Hoiland said. “Adding engineering and construction to the whole process really makes a lot of sense to me.”

According to Burns & McDonnell Senior Vice President Mike Fenske, having the entire team under one roof saves time and money while boosting collaboration, creativity and productivity.

“Our integrated design-build method is attracting top talent in our industry, like Trevor, because they are passionate about working on a project from concept to completion,” Fenske said. “This approach, common in the era of master builders a century ago, is now disruptive to tradition.”

Hoiland plans to bring a unique “inside out” conceptual design approach to a wide range of commercial projects within Burns & Mac's Global Facilities Group, from office to multifamily and even industrial facilities.

“The ultimate is to create something that we don’t know we need or want-- and finding those things in projects is what gets me excited,” Hoiland said.

Veteran KC architect Trevor Hoiland will help Burns & McDonnell boost its design-build presence. 

Five minutes with JE Dunn MW President Paul Neidlein

Paul Neidlein stepped into the role of Midwest region president for JE Dunn Construction on January 1. The 22-year veteran of the Kansas City construction industry succeeded Dirk Schafer, who retired from Kansas City's top construction company in December. 

MetroWire Media caught up with Neidlein to take his pulse on the 2018 market and beyond:

MWM: What do you expect from the market in the next 18-24 months?

Neidlein: We feel good about 2018. In Kansas City, as well as in every market that we have an office, the arrow is pointed straight up. It will be a record year and 2019 will be as well. I'm not smart enough to predict after that.

MWM: Where does JE Dunn see the most short-term growth potential?

Neidlein: We feel bullish about federal work because we have done a fair amount of it, and JE Dunn has even started a separate federal group to manage those projects. Government facilities are a growth area for us. Part of that is strategic from a diversity standpoint because public work can help balance things out when the corporate side slows down. Anything and everything related to health care has been steady, including medical office. 

MWM: Historically, public projects have been JE Dunn's bread and butter. Do you expect that to continue?

Neidlein: Public projects remain a leading area for us. We still think there is a fairly large program being planned in Missouri with construction of state prisons and county jails. Municipal work on civic centers and community centers still looks pretty positive for us too.

MWM: What do you see as a market headwind?

Neidlein: There is a healthy skepticism about how long this boom is going to last. We will see major players get into trouble and get overextended. It goes back to the capacity side of things. Creditworthiness becomes more important when you think everything is good. 

MWM: What is the impact of all this activity on the trade contractors?

Neidlein: Contractor supply and workforce issues are real. The biggest issue is the capacity of individual companies and labor and what that does to pricing and availability.

Cushman & Wakefield opens high-tech, collaborative Plaza West office

Cushman & Wakefield's Kansas City corporate office has relocated to a 10,000-square foot, high-tech, collaborative space on the 8th floor of the Plaza West building, 4600 Madison Ave.

"As the workforce changes, we have the ability to adapt quickly. The technology package we have here allows us to work anywhere," said Cushman & Wakefield Principal Mike Mayer. "The space is built for change and designed so we can even move the walls if we need to."

The office provides a mix of open areas and private, enclosed spaces, including both assigned offices as well as "focus-and-huddle" rooms. In addition, the space offers seamless interactive technologies, fully wireless connectivity and conferencing, ergonomic work spaces, moveable walls, and glass sliding doors on the main conference room to easily create a large, central gathering space adjacent to the kitchen area.

"Flexibility is the key, and this space allows for collaboration not only with each other but also with clients," Mayer said.

With floor-to-ceiling windows and treetop views of Kansas City to the south, the space is heavily branded with Cushman and Wakefield corporate signage but also includes local touches such as a decorative steel art piece installed by local engineering firm and fabricator Zahner Co. 

The metal panel at the office entrance forms a rough map of Kansas City's highway system using a series of dots and was designed by Cushman & Wakefield's local Marketing Manager Ashley Resner.

"Corporate real estate really drives your brand. We advise clients about that," Mayer said. "So, this new space allows us to implement our own best practices."

Bells and whistles include full kitchen with bar seating and beer on tap, a wellness area, restaurant-style meeting booths, and floor-to-ceiling wipe-board maps of the Kansas City region.  

Project partners included BRR Architecture,architecture and design services and Mid-America Contracting, general contractor. Cushman & Wakefield leveraged its in-house project management team to coordinate the build-out and relocation. Todd Gast, who leads the project and development team locally,  oversaw construction. Project Manager Scott Quarterson and Assistant Project Manager Josh Scott helped create additional efficiencies.

New owners announce 'gentle facelift' for century-old Longview Mansion

An entity of Sunflower Development Group has purchased the historic Longview Mansion in Lee's Summit and plans to begin a historic rehabilitation of the 102-year old property in early 2018. 

Developers call the restoration project a "gentle facelift" that will prepare the historic property at 1200 SW Longview Park Dr. for new life as a regional event venue and destination. 

"After several years working with the City of Lee's Summit and residents of the New Longview area, we were able to create a rehabilitation plan that addresses structural, roof, mechanical, electrical and plumbing issues that have plagued the mansion for years," Sunflower Development Group Director of Development Mark Moberly said. 

Work is expected to be completed in the fall of 2018. Rau Construction Company will serve as general contractor for the project, and Rosemann & Associates, PC will lead architecture and design efforts. 

The rehabilitation will utilize state and federal historic tax credits, proceeds from the area TIF plans, financing from OakStar Bank, and private capital. 

In December, Longview Mansion's longtime operators Jeanne Marshall, Jenny Gale and Hunter Gale, moved from the premises. 

"Their dedication to the Mansion, commitment to the Longview neighborhood, and support of the Lee's Summit community has been unwavering over the many years," Moberly said. "As the new owners of the property, we are thankful for the care they have taken to keep the historical property a hallmark of Kansas City during that time."

All events currently booked at the Mansion will continue as planned, and bookings beyond September 2018 are being accepted. For details, call 816-761-6999 or email info@longviewmansion.com.