Overland Park receives nation’s first LEED zero energy commercial project

In a collaboration between U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) president and CEO Mahesh Ramanujam, and Brookridge developer Chris Curtin, a first-of-its-kind Memorandum of Understanding has been signed, forging a partnership that will create an ongoing process to achieve LEED and LEED Zero Energy certifications for Brookridge Development in Overland Park.

Brookridge, a cross-generational 200+-acre mixed-use development, will feature nearly 2 million SF of office capacity, high-quality urban living spaces, extensive retail, restaurant and entertainment venues.

It will also spotlight a multi-faceted focus on health and wellness, including approximately 50 percent green space, fountains, recreational golf, fitness facilities, miles of walking paths, connections hike/bike trails and both forested and open lawns.   

Brookridge will tap into the abundant supply of wind and solar sourced energy produced in the State of Kansas to address the goal of significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the project.

In recognition of the unique nature of this partnership and its focus on wind and solar generated energy, the State of Kansas has also joined the effort.

Last week, Kansas Secretary of Commerce David Toland co-signed the Brookridge Renewable Energy Initiative, placing the state at the forefront of sustainable development.

“The Brookridge development, with the support of the State of Kansas, is thinking differently in terms of how our spaces can be designed to support environmental and personal health. LEED is providing the framework and their commitment to achieve LEED Zero Energy is yet another sign of their leadership and drive to create a better world,” Ramanujam said.

Chuck Caisley, KCP&L (Evergy) senior vice president and chief customer officer, also joined the State of Kansas in endorsing the Brookridge Renewable Energy Initiative.

“Kansas is different than coastal or mega-cities. Great things happen when our public and private sectors work in close partnership. We create the synergy necessary for significant environmental and joint economic success,” said Curtin, founder of Curtin Property Company.

The comprehensive Green program at the Brookridge development is also designed to work harmoniously with Overland Park’s dedicated visioning and planning efforts laid out in the initiatives of the City of Overland Park.

“The leaders of Overland Park set forth a set of ideas around a built environment that is both sustainable and visually impactful, further advancing the community’s destination for business development, entertainment, leisure and family time,” Curtin said.

 “A project of the size and scope of the Brookridge development – along with the commitment being made to it – will serve to put the State of Kansas at the forefront of sustainable development,” added Kansas Governor Laura Kelly.

Other partners involved in the project include WDG Architects - Land Planning and Architecture and GBA - Civil Engineering.

Fort Leonard Wood Hospital replacement project underway

Construction is underway for the Fort Leonard Wood Hospital replacement project in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. The project is being administered through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Kansas City District for the Defense Health Agency.

Fort Leonard Wood, located in the Missouri Ozarks, is home to the 102nd Training Division (Maneuver Support) and Missouri’s 35th Engineer Brigade. The hospital services 34,000 beneficiaries within a 40-mile radius of the city.

“We are honored to be a part of this project and continue our long-term relationship with the Defense Health Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,” said Craig Stearns, Federal Group Leader for JE Dunn Construction.

“The military is committed to providing those that serve with world-class healthcare services and facilities, and we are thrilled to help them execute their mission,” Stearns added.

The new campus will feature a 235,376 SF hospital, 193,332 SF medical clinic, a 20,459 SF central utility plant, a five-bay ambulance garage and supporting facilities.

JE Dunn Construction and RLF (Orlando, FL), partnered to provide a design-build proposal to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a world-class healthcare facility that rivals those found in the civilian sector, pays homage to the rich history of Fort Leonard Wood and takes advantage of the site’s rolling terrain.

“Our team worked for two years to assemble our team and produce the best design and price for the federal government. JE Dunn studied this project for eight years and was very thoughtful in the way we assembled our professional design team and trade partners,” said Margaret Bowker, senior vice president of JE Dunn.

JE Dunn has built over $3 billion in federal construction in the past 10 years and has become a national player in the federal medical facility market. In addition to the $305 million Fort Leonard Wood Hospital project, JE Dunn has worked on over twenty military medical facilities across the country in a design-build format.

Similar JE Dunn projects include the construction of the $250M University of Kansas Cambridge Hospital; the $103M VA Health Care Center in Charlotte, North Carolina; the $235M Woman’s Replacement Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; the $195M Dell Seton Hospital in Texas; and over $380M for the Saint Luke’s Wornall Campus in Kansas City.

Other large-scale federal work includes the $550 million National Nuclear Security Administration Campus in Kansas City; the $240 million IRS Campus in Kansas City; and the $107M NREL Energy Systems Integration Facility in Golden, Colorado.

The design and construction team includes JE Dunn Construction, RLF, Olsson Engineering, Land3 Studio, MMC Contractors, Guarantee Electrical, and BloomsdaleExcavating, as well as twenty other sub-consultants and trade partners.

The design and construction of the hospital campus is expected to be complete in 48 months. Once complete, the existing 450,000 SF hospital will be demolished.

CoWork KCI to open soon in the Northland

EnCorps Partners, LLC. will soon open Cowork KCI, a 283,000 SF Class-A property located in the Platte County, MO., KCI corridor.

Co-working experts and EnCorps partners, Robert L. Curland and Terri S. Turner, who also helped launch iWerx North Kansas City and iWerx Gladstone, say CoWork KCI features traditional and co-working office options.

“Co-working and flex real estate solutions are reshaping the U.S. office market,” said Turner, who also serves as president of the Kansas City Coworking Alliance.

“We are excited to provide an innovative approach to office space designed to meet the needs of contractors who are rebuilding the airport terminal and growing the KCI corridor,” Turner said.

CoWork KCI plans to promote business growth in the KCI corridor and serve as a catalyst to local and visiting business professionals.

“Our vision is to provide a resource to contractors and vendors who need turnkey offices and collaboration spaces on a month-to-month basis as they build the airport,” Curland said.

The Kansas City AFL-CIO and Veterans Community Project have endorsed the CoWork KCI vision and project.

“As Kansas City continues to grow, we are experiencing a shortage of Class-A office space,”stated Edward Collins, founder of Collins Cook Realty and buyer of 12200 NW AmbassadorDrive, the property which houses CoWork KCI.

Whether members choose traditional or co-working office space, all are afforded access to dozens of amenities including community kitchens, free parking, marketing support and 24/7 secured access. Co-working space is offered on a month-to-month basis with no large upfront deposits or fees.

EnCorps Partners, LLC works with developers and city officials to create sustainable, flex office spaces tailored to community needs. Curland and Turner currently are offering a pre-opening special and can be reached at info@CoworkKCI.com.

KC Marriott Downtown completes $65M remodel

After eight years, the Kansas City Marriott Downtown's $65 million renovation is complete. The major investment includes a $44 million transformation of its 970 rooms into luxurious, technology-forward spaces designed for the modern traveler.

The Raphael Hotel Group, led by the Pistilli family, manages the flagship property, located in the heart of downtown Kansas City; steps from the streetcar, entertainment and attractions.

The new, modernly-designed rooms include modular furniture as well as a focus on technology. Each room includes an average of six USB ports, fast Wi-Fi and a 55-inch, high-definition smart television, ready to stream top services like Netflix, Hulu and more.

The hotel took extra steps to include green initiatives in the renovation plan by including a temperature-controlled energy system in each room. The system automatically resets when guests enter or leave a room. An extensive recycling program, composting, pens and note pads made from recycled material and paperless billing add to the hotels' green efforts.

“The $65 million invested back into the Kansas City Marriott Downtown is a commitment to continue providing the highest level experience for visitors and locals alike,” said Cynthia Savage, Raphael Hotel group vice president.

All beds in the 430 king rooms, 501 queen rooms and 39 suites, were replaced with the hotel's signature Marriott Bed and Marriott Bedding. The Marriott Bedding is curated, aimed to give each guest a luxurious sleep experience while the Marriott Bed markets to distribute body weight evenly and reduce pressure points for a serene sleep experience.

Additionally, the new bathrooms feature walk-in showers and are outfitted with spa-quality furnishings and features, including back-lit mirrors.

Artist Anthony Benton Gude, grandson of famous Missouri-born muralist Thomas Hart Benton, created an abstract jazz interpretation piece for every room, in honor of Kansas City’s jazz culture.

The lobby provides locals and visitors a perfect work-life balance. During the day, the adaptive, technology-friendly area serves as a space to recharge or use as a remote workspace. The area features Coffee Central, the hotel's quick-service coffee shop, a breakfast bar and a large two-story waterfall.

The lobby bar, Bar Central, offers locals and travelers a place to mix and unwind at communal tables with local beer, wine and spirits.

The hotel is equipped with a team of more than seventy experienced event and banquet associates and thirty-five customizable event spaces, ranging from a few hundred square feet to ballrooms as large as 17,000 SF.

For locals, the hotel holds an average of more than 300 social events a year, and provides high-quality dining experiences at Bar Central and its restaurant, MetropolitanKC.

The 22,000 SF fitness center on the 22nd floor offers expansive views, state-of-the-art fitness equipment, on-demand classes and an open-year-around, indoor pool. Locals can utilize the fitness center as well with a no-contract membership for only $45 a month.

The locally owned hotel is the largest hotel in the region, attracting more than 323,000 guests annually and hosting more than 900 meetings and events a year.