LANE4 Teams with City of Olathe for library-anchored, mixed-use project

Driven by the need for a new, modern library space, the City of Olathe has teamed with LANE4 Property Group on a new, state-of-the-art mixed-use project in downtown Olathe, Ks.

The project will fuse restaurant, library and office space into a 5-story building located immediately east of Olathe City Hall on E. Santa Fe Street.

The proposed project includes approximately 70,000 SF of usable space plus indoor and outdoor common areas. The plan includes space for a signature restaurant, Class A office space with dramatic views and a rooftop patio, plus ample space for the Olathe Library.

The Civic Center Park currently on the site will remain intact and be integrated into the new project to create a cohesive, welcoming area for all to enjoy.

The Olathe City Council unanimously approved a pre-development agreement on On Tuesday, November 19th, allowing the project to move forward though the planning and zoning process.

“While the final project has yet to come before the Council for final consideration, it has incredible potential for our downtown. It could allow us to have a new, first class, 21st century library in downtown, new class A office and a restaurant - all in our historic core. This could mean new jobs, new opportunities and new energy in our downtown,” said Olathe Mayor Michael Copeland.

The project will be presented to the City Council for approval in early 2020 with a groundbreaking later in the year.

“Olathe continues to grow, it continues to support a strong school system. You only have to look around the country at comparable suburban municipalities to figure out that there is a deep well of opportunity to tap into in this downtown,” said Michael Berenbom, vice president at LANE4.

Leasing inquiries for the restaurant and office space should be directed to Brandon Buckley at (816) 268-9112 or bbuckley@lane4group.com.

Elite Sports announces $25M investment in five facilities across KC region

Elite Sports will invest $25 million in five youth sports facilities across the Kansas City region, bringing the Olathe-based company's total footprint to 650,000 square feet. 

The new facilities also will bring more than 500 new jobs to the metro area, according to a release from the sports development and management company. 

"Our new facilities are paving the way for local clubs - practice is no longer a drop-off, but a lifestyle that goes well beyond the sport, and a unique experience that parents can enjoy as well," said Jason Bryson, CEO of Elite Sports.

The new, multi-sport facilities offer a one-stop shop for local athletes and parents with amenities such as medical clinics, fitness gyms, sports massage, classrooms, parent workstations, lounges, arcades, full-service bars, and nail salons. 

In addition to state-of-the-art technology and equipment for training, the facilities go beyond the sport and introduce youth athletes to life skills through various educational classes and opportunities.

Clubs and leagues including MAVS Volleyball, Elite Softball Academy, Kansas City Scott Gallagher and Heartland Futsal call the facilities home. Elite Sports will also offer rental space to other metro-area clubs for multiple sports. The facilities will host local, regional and national tournaments.

"Not only do our facilities provide outstanding benefits for athletes and parents, but to entire communities and the general public as well," Bryson said. 

Elite Sports will offer memberships to its fitness gyms and classes, known as The Burn KC. Two of the five planned Elite Sports centers - Olathe and Overland Park - opened earlier this year, and the remaining three facilities in Lenexa, Olathe and Kansas City plan to open later in 2018.

Terracon tops out new Olathe headquarters

Terracon "topped out" the frame of its new headquarters at Ridgeview Avenue and College Boulevard on Tuesday, less than six months after the $21 million project was announced. Completion is set for March of 2018.

The new 65,000 square foot office building will accommodate about 200 existing employees and will emphasize collaborative spaces, including a new training conference center and expanded amenities. 

"Terracon's new headquarters reflects our continued growth strategy, as well as our commitment to remain part of the Olathe business community," said Terracon President Swaminathan Srinivasan. "Our goal is to inspire our employees while we focus on our future and serve our clients in new, innovative ways."

The new building is a business retention win for the City of Olathe and the State of Kansas; Terracon has been headquartered in Olathe for more than 10 years and sought several locations on both sides of the state line before deciding on new construction near its current location.

Behind the Deal: ‘Speed to market’ tipped Terracon build-to-suit

Timing played a key role in Terracon’s decision to build its new $21 million corporate headquarters in Olathe rather than relocate to existing office space in the region. With 10 to 15 percent annual growth, the engineering consulting firm needed space to fit new employees that it expects to hire to accommodate burgeoning business.

John Coe of Copaken Brooks worked as Terracon’s corporate real estate advisor and says the company had a need for speed.

“We started in June of last year and did an exhaustive search of opportunities throughout the metro,” Coe said. “‘Speed to market’ would be one way to describe it.”

Terracon plans to be in its new 65,000-square foot, two-story headquarters in the first quarter of 2018, but getting to the deal's finish line took some rapid legwork on the part of the multiple parties.

The company began evaluating headquarters options in July 2016, looking at 11 existing buildings and 18 build-to-suit options in Kansas and four existing buildings and two build-to-suit options in Missouri.

By December, Terracon narrowed down its list to three existing properties-- two in Kansas and one in Missouri-- but ultimately determined its preference was to stay in Olathe, its headquarters home for more than decade. With no available existing buildings to accommodate the company’s growth, moving forward with a build-to-suit emerged as the preferred course of action.

“It was a long shot that a build-to-suit option would come through because timing was tight,” Coe said. “But VanTrust stepped up and proved they could work within that time frame.”

VanTrust Real Estate and Terracon wasted no time in requesting project incentives from the City of Olathe, which approved a 10-year, 65 percent property tax abatement, as well as industrial revenue bonds that allow for a sales tax exemption on construction-related materials.

Terracon won’t have to move far; its new headquarters will be in Corporate Ridge Office Park near Kansas Highway 10 and Ridgeview Road, just around the corner from its existing office at 18001 W. 106th.

“This investment represents the passionate commitment of our employee-owners to progress our growth," Terracon President Swaminathan Srinivasan said in a release. "Inspired by new surroundings, we will focus our future on serving clients in new, innovative ways and seeking out opportunities to make positive impacts on the communities where we live and work.”

The project’s development team includes property owner VanTrust, which will lead the design-build team, as well as McCownGordon Construction, general contractor.

Terracon provides environmental, facilities, geotechnical and materials services from more than 140 offices serving all 50 states.