Industrial expansion drives economic growth in KC's Northland

JLL has been selected to oversee leasing for Building C at the Platte International Commerce Center, a premier industrial facility developed by VanTrust Real Estate in Platte City, Mo. Offering 526,502 SF of industrial space, the property provides flexible leasing opportunities starting at 130,000 SF, with the potential for future expansion to 1.1 million SF. This new phase follows the full lease-up of Building B, a 748,833 SF speculative project now occupied by Central Power Systems & Services.

JLL executives Phillip Algrim, managing director, and Kevin Wilkerson, senior managing director, lead the leasing strategy for Building C.

“The Kansas City metro remains a critical hub for supply chain and logistics operations,” Algrim said. “Its strategic position in the Northland submarket, proximity to a top-tier airport, and excellent transportation connectivity make Platte International Commerce Center an attractive option for many tenants. We look forward to helping businesses capitalize on these advantages.”

Strategically located within the Kansas City metro area, the center boasts direct access to interstates I-29 and I-435, offering seamless connectivity to key markets. Kansas City’s central location allows companies to reach most U.S. destinations within a two-day drive. The facility is within a 12-hour drive of significant freight hubs, including Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and St. Louis, making it ideal for e-commerce and logistics operations.

VanTrust Real Estate designed the Platte International Commerce Center to meet modern business needs, emphasizing state-of-the-art facilities and logistical convenience.

“This development represents our dedication to creating high-quality distribution centers that drive economic growth in the Kansas City region,” said David Rezac, vice president of development at VanTrust Real Estate. “Partnering with JLL allows us to provide a seamless leasing experience and ensure tenants thrive in this prime location.”

The project’s design and construction were executed by a team that includes Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, Olsson Engineers, and M+H Architects.

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Header Image: The main entrance to Building C at the Platte International Commerce Center in Platte City, Mo. Image credit: M+H Architects

Kenco selects Liberty Logistics Park for new facility

Kenco Logistics Services, LLC has selected a 295,600-SF warehouse and distribution space for their new facility at Liberty Logistics Park in Liberty, Mo.

“We are excited that Kenco Logistics, one of the top ten logistics companies in the world, selected the Liberty Logistics Park and our community for their new facility,” said Lyndell Brenton, mayor of the City of Liberty.

“Their decision to locate here reinforces Liberty’s place as a growing logistics and distribution hub in the Midwest. While Liberty Logistics Park is still under construction, we believe our community values, location and "can do” attitude are the differentiators that attract new businesses, like Kenco Logistics, to Liberty, Brenton said.

In the past five years, the KC region has successfully attracted eCommerce and distribution companies pledging to create more than 10,200 jobs, invest $1.8 billion and occupy 16.7 million square feet, according to a release.

“The KC region’s central location and access to a skilled workforce are key drivers of a successful eCommerce strategy,” said Tim Cowden, president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council.

“The KC SmartPort team and our partners in Liberty continue to elevate our region’s competitive advantages to position KC as a leading logistics hub,” Cowden said.

The Kansas City Area Development Council worked with a number of regional partners in attracting Kenco to the Kansas City region, including the State of Missouri, Missouri Partnership, City of Liberty, Missouri, Liberty Economic Development Corporation, CBRE - Joe Orscheln, Evergy, Spire Energy and KC SmartPort.

“It is fantastic to see and support the growth in the logistics and distribution industry in Liberty and the entire KC region,” said Subash Alias, CEO of Missouri Partnership.

“The status of Missouri as North America’s Logistics Center is already well known, and more and more companies, such as Kenco, are taking advantage of one of the best river, road, air and rail infrastructure systems in the nation. When it comes to logistics and distribution, Missouri is a global leader.”

Kenco Logistics Services, LLC

Kenco is the largest woman-owned third-party logistics (3PL) company in the United States. The company provides integrated logistics solutions including distribution and eCommerce fulfillment, comprehensive transportation management services, material handling equipment services, engineering and innovation consulting, and information technology. For more information, visit kencogroup.com.

Kadean Construction awarded $17.7 million warehouse in KCI Intermodal BusinessCentre

Kadean Construction has been awarded a $17.7 million contract by developer Trammell Crow Company to construct LogisticsCentre V, a 542,640 SF warehouse/distribution building located in the KCI Intermodal BusinessCentre.

LogisticsCentre V will be a modern, cross-dock facility with three separate storefront entrances for multiple tenants and incorporate sustainable design construction features.

Kadean Construction previously built LogisticsCentre II, III and IV at the 687-acre distribution and logistics park adjacent to KCI Airport, and recently completed the tenant build-out of the 202,800 SF LogisticsCentre III.

“Like the other facilities we’ve built in the business park, LogisticsCentre V will have a structural steel frame, concrete tilt-up walls, a seven-inch thick reinforced concrete floor and a 36-foot clear height ceiling,” said Kadean vice president Austin Christensen.

“This building will also feature 98 dock positions, with 132 tractor and 324 car parking stalls. Earlier this year, we completed infrastructure work for this site, so we are pleased to be awarded the contract to construct LogisticsCentre V,” Christensen said.

Other project partners include M+H Architects, civil engineering firm Stock & Associates, CBRE and Clarion Partners.

Construction is scheduled to be complete in March 2020.

Avenue Logistics moves to KC Crossroads

Avenue Logistics, a Chicago-based freight brokerage logistics company, will soon be relocating from Overland Park, KS to the Crossroads in Kansas City, Missouri.

Avenue Logistics is the latest in a growing list of “new-to-downtown” companies attracted to developments like 3D Development, whose tenants include Hollis + Miller, Holmes Murphy, Card Connect, and WeWork.

The firm will be moving in the fourth quarter of 2019 into the recently completed historic renovation at 215 E 18th Street, now named 18McGee.

Formally known as the Interstate Securities Building, it was originally built in the 1950’s to finance automobile purchases in the automotive district in the Crossroads. After Interstate Securities, it was owned and operated by the Kansas City Star, which was headquartered across the street.

“When we were looking for our new offices, we wanted a vibrant environment that appeals to our team,” said Brad Jerwick, vice president at Avenue Logistics.

18McGee is part of a five-building renovation that includes the restoration and renovation of the Historic Kansas City Star properties. When finished, Grand Place will include a 30,000 SF European-style market, restaurants, coffee house, spa and approximately 250,000 SF of signature office space.

“With everything happening in the Crossroads and the renovation of this building and all the amenities planned across the street at Grand Place, we believe this is a strategic way to use real estate to attract and retain team members,” Jerwick said.

Joining Avenue Logistics at 18McGee is Working Spaces, an office interiors and contract furniture business with offices across the midwest. Working Spaces will use the entire first floor as a showroom and design studio.

The top floor at 18McGee is still available, with a total of 6,000 SF that can be divided in sections as small as 2,000 SF.

Among the amenities in the building is 3D Development’s signature roof top patio, which provides great views of Grand Place and downtown.

“The gravity of the Crossroads is moving east at a much quicker pace than we ever anticipated,” said Tim Schaffer, president of AREA Real Estate Advisors.

“The building is attracting interest because of its walkability to bars and restaurants that continue to proliferate East Crossroads; also (because of) the anticipated historic renovation of the Kansas City Star building and all the amenities that are planned for this block,” Schaffer said.

From offices to co-working spaces, restaurants and event spaces, 3D has attracted several new companies to the KC downtown market. Projects include On Broadway, The Creamery, Corrigan Station, 18 McGee and the historic renovation and repositioning of the former KC Star headquarters, now known as Grand Place.  To learn more visit: dream-design-develop.com.

NorthPoint “Crown Jewel” lands 500,000 SF tenant

Third-party logistics provider PAE will lease 500,000 square feet of warehouse space at Logistics Park Kansas City (LPKC), bringing 75 jobs to the Edgerton community. LPKC is adjacent to the BNSF intermodal facility in southwest Johnson County.

“PAE’s decision to locate at Logistics Park Kansas City is another example of the benefits of co-locating at the BNSF Intermodal and a reason that LPKC continues to be the ‘Crown Jewel’ of NorthPoint Development's portfolio,” said NorthPoint CEO and Founder Nathaniel Hagedorn. “The ability to readily access the BNSF intermodal and the interstate highway system provides substantial cost savings and enhances the movement of goods and products throughout the Midwest and the continental United States.”

PAE provides records handling and mail management services supporting the U.S. government in over 100 locations.

“LPKC continues to prove itself as perfectly positioned in the center of the county providing our tenants access to first class infrastructure connecting them directly to markets nationwide,” added Edgerton Mayor Donald Roberts.