Donald E. Maxwell, attorney & developer

As one of next week's MWM’s KC Market Forecast Summit panelists, attorney and developer Donald (Don) E. Maxwell will weigh in on what's in store for the Kansas City commercial real estate industry in 2022 and beyond.

Besides being a lifetime Kansas Citian (Grandview High School graduate) and successful attorney, Maxwell is also co-owner of the development company Linwood Investors, LLC with his father, Donald Maxwell. The pair created the vision behind the Bluford Library revitalization project on 31st and Prospect in Kansas City, Mo.

The mixed-use concept, currently pending final financial approval, will consist of the demolition and reconstruction of the Bluford Library to a two-story, 22,000-SF facility with rooftop access.

The layout, designed by Helix Architecture + Design, will include approximately 5,000 SF of dedicated restaurant space; approximately 100,000 SF of office space; three multifamily buildings, totaling 199 units of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartment units; approximately 30,000 SF of retail space; a dedicated clubhouse for the multifamily residents; and three, six-unit townhomes.

"The Bluford Project, upon completion, will serve as a catalyst for continued development on Kansas City’s east side. We hope to attract working families who want to live, work and play in Kansas City’s urban core and provide the essential goods and services they need to maintain a healthy standard of living. By doing so, we hope to create a positive impact on the quality of life of all the residents in the neighborhoods surrounding this project," Maxwell said.

Other recent revitalization projects behind the Linwood Investors duo include the $11 million redevelopment of the Linwood Square Shopping Center (completed in 2020) and a $17 million redevelopment of the Linwood Shopping Center (completed in 2018), both blighted retail strip centers in the Linwood-Prospect corridor located on Kansas City’s east side.

As the owner of the law firm, Donald E. Maxwell, LLC, which he began in 2003, Maxwell's areas of expertise include general corporate matters, estate planning and real estate - including residential and commercial real estate development; contract negotiation; public financing, including tax increment financing; low-income tax credits, historic tax credits, new markets tax credits; HUD financing; Central City sales tax financing; commercial lease negotiations; restrictive covenants; foreclosures and 1031 Exchanges.

Maxwell received a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Missouri – Columbia and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas School of Law.

Maxwell will join moderator, Chris Vaeth with McCownGordon Construction; along with panelists Leonard Popplewell with Cushman & Wakefield; Tim McKee with Olathe Chamber of Commerce; and Rob Bratcher with KC Commerce Bank on the KC Market Forecast panel next Wednesday morning at 8 am at JCCC.

To learn more about the event or to register, please visit http://www.metrowiremedia.com/2022-kc-market-forecast.

KC's east side adds $8 million to Linwood Square

Linwood Investors, LLC, will break ground on its $8 million redevelopment of Linwood Square, a blighted retail strip in the Linwood-Prospect corridor on Kansas City’s east side, next Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2019.

The new project complements the redevelopment of the Linwood Shopping Center, completed in 2017 by the Linwood Investors team.

Linwood Investors’ Donald E. Maxwell envisions a revitalized retail center to attract tenants that will cater to a historically underserved community with goods, services and amenities.

“We’re eager to get this completed,” Maxwell said. “The redevelopment will bring amenities to a neighborhood that has been largely ignored for decades. This has the potential to spark additional investments and transform this community from underserved and overlooked to an attractive place to live, work and play.”

The 55,000 SF property, originally built in 1985, is located on the east side of Prospect Avenue between 30th St. and Linwood Blvd.

In addition to revitalized exterior façades and new roofing, the project will incorporate sustainable design elements including a new exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS), energy-efficient HVAC, mechanical and plumbing upgrades, LED lighting and an interior redesign with a contemporary aesthetic.

The project is being funded with public incentives and private financing. The public improvements include funding from Central City Economic Development Sales Tax Fund, Tax Increment Financing Commission and Public Improvements Advisory Committee.

Led by UMB Financial Corporation, private financing partners include Bank of Blue Valley, Community America Credit Union and Arvest Bank.

Hoefer Wysocki designed the exterior façade and system upgrades as well as the interior spaces. Kansas City general contractor Centric worked closely with the ownership group to increase MBE and WBE participation, exceeding the city’s goals.

The project is scheduled for completion in Summer 2020.