Game On takeaway: 'Were all technology firms. We just don't know it yet'

The Kansas City region's internationally acclaimed sports construction and AEC industry was the topic of MetroWire Media's Game On Sports and Entertainment Event on Thurs., March 7 at Children's Mercy Park. 

Here are some highlights from our star-studded lineup:

"The conversations we used to have are so outdated, it's amazing. Every year the conversation changes... The stuff that Silicon Valley is developing now will hit the sports industry in a couple years and it will blow your mind." -Andy Heitmann, VP Construction, Turner Construction.

"We're all technology firms. We just don't know it yet... Technology is impacting everything we do... From security to fan engagement, it's driving the fan and athlete experience." -James Dietz, AVP, Henderson Engineers.

“We have spent a lot of time developing sponsorship integrations that create great fan experiences. The idea is that venues and teams have opportunities within the built environment to tell stories using sponsor dollars as opposed to team’s dollars.” -Justin Wood, Partner, Dimensional Innovations

"The most important thing we can do is to create adaptable frameworks for buildings... 5G is on the way and that will transform the experience." -Kelly Holton, senior designer, Populous

"Engaging people with the live experience is our focus and challenge." -Jeff Sittner, Burns & McDonnell Sports Design Build team leader

"How do we take what we know about the fans and deliver what they want? It begins with knowing who is in the building." -Jason Houseworth, President, FanThreeSixty.

Special thanks to Sporting KC Executive Vice President John Moncke for serving as guest speaker and to our Platinum Sponsor, Turner Construction.

Click here to view a slideshow of our Game On event!

San Francisco multifamily investor enters KC market

San Francisco-based real estate investment firm Hamilton Zanze (HZ)  has acquired the 272-unit Metcalf Village Apartments in Overland Park, announcing plans to rebrand the complex at 16201 Travis St. as Boulders at Overland Park Apartments. 

"This community represented a great opportunity to buy new, stabilized product below replacement cost thanks to robust local market momentum," said David Nelson, HZ managing director of acquisitions.

Built in 2017, the 261,000-square foot community attracted the west coast investment firm in part because of its location in the nationally ranked Blue Valley School District. 

"Overland Park has been a target market for our acquisitions team, and we are excited to have found a perfect acquisition to fit our criteria," Nelson added. "We look forward to further growing our presence in Kansas in the years to come."

Boulders at Overland Park will offer a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units well-suited for both single and family occupancy. HZ plans to upgrade the property's landscape and lighting. 

Property management responsibilities will be transitioned to Mission Rock Residential, a Denver-based affiliate company of HZ. The purchase closed February 28. For more information, click here.  

Will Mathews, Bob Galamba, and Gabe Tovar of the Colliers East Region Group facilitated the transaction. The community was sold by JA Murphy Group and purchased by Hamilton Zanze.

Since 2001, Hamilton Zanze has acquired over $3.3 billion in multifamily assets in 14 states across the U.S. The company currently owns and operates 83 properties with over 19,000 units. 

West Bottoms’ first micro apartment project moves forward

A Cleveland-based developer has secured $52 million in financing for its West Bottoms Flats multifamily project, clearing another hurdle in its effort to redevelop five historic warehouse buildings into so-called micro apartments.

The $66 million redevelopment includes 265 one-room apartments plus structured parking and more than 5,000 square feet of commercial space. Grandbridge Real Estate Capital LLC and Brown Gibbons Lang & Co. LLC facilitated the finance package on behalf of MCM Co. Inc.

With an average footprint of about 600 square feet, micro apartments-or microflats- are considered the next frontier in multifamily housing. Designed to appeal to Millennials, the units are self-contained living spaces that include a kitchenette, sitting space, sleeping space, and bathroom. With completion targeted for 2020, West Bottoms Flats apartments are expected to rent for between $1,000 and $1,200 a month.

“The target market is young professionals who desire smaller units at a lower price point in a heavily dense, urban community with strong neighborhood amenities and connectivity,” said Doug Bates, Grandbridge vice president for the Kansas City market. “The concept is relatively new to Kansas City, but other Midwestern cities have a seen a great deal of deliveries and success with this concept.”

Situated on 2.4 acres between Ninth Street and St. Louis Avenue, Hickory and Wyoming streets, West Bottoms Flats is the first historic multifamily project in the West Bottoms neighborhood just west of Downtown Kansas City and the first metro-area project for MCM Co. Inc.

“Given its linkages to and the strong demand drivers in the neighboring River Market, Downtown, and Crossroads markets, the West Bottoms is well positioned to be the up and coming urban lifestyle community in Kansas City,” Bates added.

The financing package includes more than $24 million in federal and state historic tax credits equity secured through partners Enhanced Capital and Historic Equity Inc., as well as a $31.85 million senior construction loan and $20 million historic tax credit bridge loan. Project lenders include Kansas City-based Blue Ridge Bank & Trust, Jefferson City-based Hawthorn Bank, and Ohio-based Huntington National Bank.

A variety of incentives and abatements were secured through programs administered by the City of Kansas City and Jackson County, Missouri.

CushWake, Cerner team up to reboot sprawling Summit Tech building

Cerner has plugged into the Kansas City commercial real estate market, teaming up with Cushman & Wakefield to rebrand and launch the Lee’s Summit Integration Campus (LSIC), a 500,000-square foot tech hub at 777 NW Blue Parkway. Brokers were invited to a Feb. 14 luncheon and tour of the project, which comprises the north building of the former Summit Technology Campus (STC).

“We think it’s important that all of you know, as you bring prospects through, that this project carries with it quality ownership (Cerner) that is committed to providing a quality tenant experience and the promotion of health and wellness,” Cushman & Wakefield Director Suzanne Dimmel told brokers. “STC at one time was under one ownership, but the campus’ south building is now owned by a private group, and Cerner owns the north building, or LSIC.”

The rebranding effort includes brightly colored marketing materials and planned signage with the tagline, “The convergence of power, data, technology, people and community.” Current tenants include large data center and call center operations, with available space ranging from 5,000 to 147,000 square feet.

Recently added amenities include a remodeled cafeteria and employee lounge with flat-screen TVs, and a fitness track with “wayfinding corners” to track physical activity is in the works. Tenant signage options are available at LSIC’s various entrances, which are easily accessible to abundant surface parking.

“This campus has a bright future, and we have a lot of great space available here,” CushWake associate Leonard Popplewell said, adding that prospective tenants can receive smartphone-accessible 2D and 3D interactive conceptual floor plans tailored to their needs.

Jill McCarthy, vice president of corporate attraction for the Kansas City Area Development Council, told brokers that LSIC will be shared with site selectors and out-of-town companies scouting locations in the metro area.

“There’s a lot of project activity right now,” McCarthy said. “We are doing a lot to showcase buildings like this, and this type of product gives us something to talk about when speaking with clients and consultants.”

Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council President and CEO Rick McDowell reminded brokers of incentive options available, proximity to a strong workforce, and local education system that includes an award-winning K-12 school district, community college and 4-year college. Lee’s Summit Mayor Bill Baird thanked Cerner for its investment and presence in the community and reiterated the City’s pro-business environment.

CushWake is offering an incentive to brokers who bring the campus its first 20,000+ square foot deals: A free trip to Scottsdale or San Diego in the form of a $5,000 trip credit. The event included lunch catered by Third Street Social and guided tours.

For more information on LSIC, email suzanne.dimmel@cushwake.com or leonard.popplewell@cushwake.com.

Plans advance for South Kansas City upscale multifamily project

The Kansas City Council has approved rezoning of about 50 acres near the Grandview Triangle in the Hickman Mills area, clearing the way for the first new upscale residential project in that pocket of South Kansas City in a generation. 

Construction is expected to begin on the first phase of the River Birch Townhomes project in late summer, with 27 fourplex buildings completed in 2020. At full buildout, development plans call for construction of 204 units in 51 two-story buildings built in two phases. 

The $28 million project is being developed by James Ellis of HC Realty Development Co. and aims to attract young professionals working at Cerner Corporation’s Innovation Campus less than five miles away, as well as Honeywell's campus at I-49 and Missouri Highway 150. 

“There’s a strong need for quality housing in south Kansas City, Missouri,” Ellis said. “With quality employers including Cerner and Honeywell and the proposed redevelopment of the former Bannister Federal Complex, there will be a large influx of young professionals.”

No incentives were requested for the project, which was unanimously approved by the Kansas City Council and the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals. It also has received strong support from the South Kansas City Neighborhood Alliance and the Hickman Mills School District.

The community will offer two- and three-bedroom units for lease starting at about $1,500 per month. Amenities planned for the project include a clubhouse, pool, playground and large amounts of green place.