Hausmann builds momentum in KC housing market

Hausmann Construction, recognized for its innovative and relationship-driven approach, continues to shape Kansas City’s thriving housing and development landscape. With a portfolio exceeding $1 billion across eight states and six corporate offices, the firm has built a reputation for delivering high-quality projects that meet the demands of a competitive real estate market.

Kansas City’s real estate market has garnered national attention, recently earning the title of the No. 1 housing market in the United States, according to a 2024 US News and World Report. Contributing to this momentum, Hausmann is behind two major developments: The Helm and Meadow Lake Apartments.

The Helm, located near downtown Kansas City, is a 224-unit luxury apartment and mixed-use project encompassing 220,000 SF. The project is set to reach full completion later this year and will feature four-story buildings, a clubhouse with a FEMA shelter, a fitness studio, a yoga room, office spaces, and a pool. With phased turnovers already underway, leasing activity has underscored strong demand.

Further south of downtown Meadow Lake Apartments is a 213-unit residential community scheduled for completion in 2026. Spanning 308,000 SF, the development includes an above-podium parking garage with 237 stalls and 4,900 SF of commercial space. Amenities such as a fitness center, pool courtyard, and outdoor living areas aim to blend luxury with functionality, further enhancing the appeal of Kansas City’s growing housing market.

Hausmann’s expertise extends beyond multi-family residential developments to senior living communities, showcasing its versatility in meeting diverse housing needs. Recent large-scale projects include The Lofts at Fox Ridge and Meadowbrook. The Lofts at Fox Ridge, a 396-unit apartment complex situated on a 30-acre site, includes 12 buildings, nine garages, and a clubhouse. High-end features like spacious balconies, a fitness center, and a resort-style pool cater to modern living preferences.

Above: One of several lounge areas at the 396-unit multi-family Lofts at Fox Ridge luxury residential complex. Photo courtesy of Hausmann Construction | photo credit: Michael Robinson Photography

On a different scale, Meadowbrook, a 385,000 SF senior living campus, includes 222 units spread across seven interconnected buildings, offering memory care, assisted living, and independent living accommodations. Shared spaces, such as dining areas, a library, and a salon, enhance the sense of community for residents. Despite the challenges of building on a tight site, the project was completed on schedule, earning praise for its resident-centered execution and seamless move-in coordination.

Hausmann stands out for its ability to navigate complex regulatory frameworks, particularly in HUD-financed projects. With expertise in zoning, permitting, and federal compliance, including Davis-Bacon wage standards and Section 3 hiring policies, the firm ensures developers meet local and federal requirements efficiently.

Hausmann’s developer-focused approach begins early in preconstruction, offering insights that balance initial costs with long-term savings. This proactive strategy delivers projects on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. Its multi-sector expertise also enables competitive pricing and market-driven solutions, solidifying its role as a trusted partner in Kansas City development.

Commitment to quality and innovation is central to Hausmann’s success. The firm consistently delivers projects with minimal punch list items, as seen in The Helm’s early phases, and provides reliable preconstruction budgets backed by market analysis. Close collaboration with developers and design teams minimizes delays and aligns projects with client expectations.

As Kansas City’s housing market continues its upward trajectory, Hausmann is poised to remain a key player in the region’s development. Its growing portfolio reflects a deep understanding of market demands and a dedication to delivering high-quality, innovative projects. With a focus on excellence and strong developer relationships, Hausmann is well-positioned to meet the challenges and opportunities of an evolving real estate landscape.

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Header Image: An aerial photo of the Meadowbrook Senior Living facility located in Prairie Village, Kan. Photo courtesy of Hausmann Construction | photo credit: Michael Robinson Photography

Roaring, but fragile, economy exceeds expectations

According to Chris Kuehl, managing partner and co-founder of Armada Corporate Intelligence, economists routinely predict things to be worse than they will be.

“If you suggest you are on the edge of recession and then you don’t hit a recession, everybody is happy,” he said.

Kuehl outlined some of his observations about the economy during a virtual presentation last week hosted by CCIM Kansas City.

Kuehl said the economic forecast for 2023 and 2024 missed the mark by approximately one-half point.

“We’ve been doing consistently better than the initial predictions,” he said.

Consumer spending, which drives 76 percent of the United States’ gross domestic product (GDP), has spurred the strong economy. Stock market gains boosted consumer spending.

“We’ve seen $900 billion in new stock wealth created, which is staggering,” Kuehl said.

The stock wealth has resulted in an estimated $288 billion in additional spending, creating a $1.3 trillion economic multiplier.

Not everyone views the economy as strong. Kuehl noted that the “radically different interpretations” about how the economy is doing are because of a rare K-shaped recovery. Those in the upper one-third (households making $100,000 or more) barely notice inflation.

“They’re buying cars and houses and recreational vehicles and all that stuff, and that is the multiplier effect. They are spending money on something that supports whole industries,” he said.

The lower third of households (those making less than $50,000) is living paycheck to paycheck and finding it more difficult under the weight of inflation. The third in the middle is holding its own as long as their jobs remain secure.

“So the economy is roaring along better than thought growth, but it’s fragile because everything hinges on the middle hanging on and the upper income continuing to spend,” said Kuehl.

Kuehl said although the rate of inflation is declining, it takes a long time for it to come down once it has risen. The two factors that can drive down inflation are a full-blown depression or competitive pressure. According to Kuehl, much of the U.S. economy is not all that competitive, with much of the competition coming from outside of the United States.

The Federal Reserve forecasts that GDP growth will rise to about 2.1 percent. Kuehl noted, however, that Scott Bessent, the newly confirmed Treasury Secretary, is targeting growth at three percent.

“So if we end up with growth even just shy of three percent, that’s pretty respectable. Our average of the last 25 years has been 2.5,” Kuehl said.

The Fed also projects that unemployment will remain stable, if not fall. Kuehl said the workforce shortage has resulted in wage growth which is fueling inflation. Historically, wage growth has been 2.5 to three percent. Currently, it’s growing at closer to 3.5 to four percent. Those making higher wages are in great shape, but households in the lower third have no leverage, he said.

Kuehl said the Fed funds rate likely will remain steady---4.4 percent this year.

Kuehl said inventory to sales ratios in most sectors are close to balanced, having recovered from the supply chain issues during the pandemic.

On a national level, nonresidential construction is still growing at a rapid rate, and even shifting a little. While much of this growth was driven for a while by warehousing and logistics support, there now is increasing development in projects like data centers.

“You’re seeing a lot of development in energy just to support the expected growth of data centers. This country is going to need to add 44 terawatts of energy production in just the next four to five years. That is mammoth. If you think you’ve seen a change in energy, you’ve not seen anything yet. The idea now is that everything is up for grabs—oil, gas, coal, solar, wind. Nuclear is going to be making a huge comeback in the next two or three years. Hamsters on wheels are probably going to be out there at some point. We need energy. We’re going to need lots of it,” said Kuehl.

The United States now is “North American independent” on oil and gas. It is the world’s largest oil exporter, and it no longer buys any from the Middle East or North Africa.

“Our production is very high. We’ve never produced this much. All-time highs,” said Kuehl.

Kuehl said office buildings are making a comeback--although not as big as they once were--with the movement to return to the office. In addition, residential construction is growing.

Kuehl said corporate investment, particularly in technology, is steady.

The tariff issue also is looming. Kuehl said the problem with tariffs (which he termed as a “tax”) is that they work only if there is a competitive market. If the United States does not make the item being imposed with a tariff, it’s not going to change the price. But, tariffs can be used to strengthen the industrial sector.

“We can use a tariff to encourage consumers to buy more expensive things that are produced here,” he said.

Reshoring is real, Kuehl said. There still are many companies coming back to the United States, and 80 percent of the jobs that are being created are in the south or the Midwest. He said Kansas City is really well-positioned, but it needs to be more aggressive about competing for the industrial projects.

“The three things that are making Kansas City competitive: One is transportation. The merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern (CPKC) is huge because that’s a north south route that really hadn’t existed before. It really unites the Mexican industrial sector with the U.S. and Canada. That’s already attracted a lot of business interests to this region. Number two is that we have a better than average workforce situation. We have more training centers. We have more community colleges. . . . We’re pretty well fixed compared to many other states. The third thing that makes this area popular is just simply distance. No matter what side of the U.S. you come in on, the middle is easier to attract, and that’s been paying off. But, we have to be better at extolling our virtues,” he said.

The prominence of the Kansas City Chiefs also has helped put Kansas City on companies’ radar.

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Above: Dr. Chris Kuehl is a Managing Partner of Armada Corporate Intelligence and top economist keynote speaker. Image courtesy of American Supply Association

A new chapter begins for Bartlett & West

In August 2024, Bartlett & West acquired Krudwig Structural Engineers, marking a significant milestone in Krudwig’s nearly two-decade history. Founded in January 2005, Krudwig Structural Engineers initially served Kansas and Missouri, focusing on commercial buildings, including schools, libraries, churches, retail centers, and office buildings. Over time, the firm expanded its expertise to include concrete restoration and the structural strengthening of existing buildings and parking garages.

A Transition to Design-Build

In 2014, Krudwig Structural Engineers transitioned from the traditional design-bid-build delivery method to a design-build approach. This strategic shift emphasized collaboration and solutions-oriented partnerships, allowing the firm to deliver greater value to clients beyond permit drawings. The transition broadened Krudwig’s portfolio to include industrial projects such as manufacturing facilities, cold storage, and logistics parks. As a result, the firm’s client base expanded nationally, now serving projects in over 40 states.

Despite this growth, increased administrative demands often diverted focus from directly serving clients. The acquisition by Bartlett & West addresses these challenges, providing the resources and support necessary for Krudwig to focus on its core mission of delivering innovative structural engineering solutions.

The Bartlett & West Difference

A shared commitment to values and culture drove Krudwig to become part of Bartlett & West. As a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) company, Bartlett & West prioritizes shared success and employee investment—an approach that aligns seamlessly with Krudwig’s philosophy. Bartlett & West’s recognition as a “Best Small Employer” by Forbes and other organizations further underscores its dedication to fostering an exceptional workplace environment.

The partnership enables Krudwig Structural Engineers to leverage Bartlett & West’s extensive resources and expertise, ensuring continued excellence in client service and project delivery.

Looking Ahead

The integration of Krudwig Structural Engineers into Bartlett & West marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. With the support of Bartlett & West’s resources and expertise, Krudwig is poised to continue its legacy of delivering exceptional structural engineering solutions while expanding its capabilities and reach. Together, the two companies are set to build stronger structures and partnerships, paving the way for a bright and collaborative future.

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Feature image credit: Constant Contact

Farewell to the pavilion: Overland Park’s Farmers' Market makes way for a fresh start

The Overland Park Farmers’ Market hosted its annual Holiday Market on Saturday, Dec. 7, marking the end of an era for the beloved pavilion. The event, held from 8 a.m. to noon, combined the market’s signature farm-fresh produce and local foods with a festive holiday atmosphere, drawing in the community for a morning of celebration and nostalgia.

This year’s market was especially significant as it was the last to take place in the current pavilion before its removal. Attendees were invited to leave farewell messages on the structure, which will be donated to Garnett, Kan., where it will serve as a farmers’ market facility.

Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog addressed the community, reflecting on the pavilion’s legacy and providing updates on the forthcoming improvements. After the 2024 market season, the pavilion will be dismantled to make way for a modern farmers’ market facility and downtown gathering space. The Farmers’ Market will temporarily relocate to the Matt Ross Community Center, just two blocks away, for the 2025 season.

The new facility is set to open in spring 2026 and represents a multi-decade investment in downtown Overland Park. The updated market will include indoor spaces to better accommodate vendors and shoppers and permanent shade structures to enhance comfort in outdoor areas. Additional seating and expanded restroom facilities will create a more inviting environment for visitors. Surrounding public spaces, including Clock Tower Plaza and Marty St., will also receive significant upgrades. During non-market days, parking will remain accessible, ensuring convenience for residents and visitors. The new space is designed to serve as a dynamic venue for concerts, watch parties, and other community events, complementing future private development in the area.

Above: A rendering of the new downtown Overland Park Farmers’ Market layout. Image courtesy of the City of Overland Park

Sustainability is a key focus of the project. The market will feature solar panels on the pavilion roof, electric vehicle charging stations, and reflective pavement and shade structures to reduce heat in outdoor spaces. LED and solar-powered lighting will provide energy-efficient illumination, while native landscaping will enhance the area's aesthetic and environmental value. Recycling and composting facilities will also be available, underscoring the city’s commitment to eco-friendly operations. Construction materials will be locally sourced, low-carbon, and recycled wherever possible to minimize environmental impact. Accessibility and connectivity will also be improved.

The project will maintain the tradition of closing Marty St. on market days to enhance walkability and bike-ability while adding designated bike and scooter parking to support sustainable transportation.

Construction is scheduled to begin in December 2024 and is expected to be completed by summer 2026. The revitalized market and gathering space will become a vibrant centerpiece of downtown Overland Park, combining modern amenities with sustainability and community-focused design. The project is anticipated to play a significant role during the Kansas City metro’s hosting of six World Cup games in 2026, showcasing Overland Park’s dedication to creating a dynamic and welcoming space for residents and visitors alike.

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Header image: A Rendering of the new downtown Overland Park Farmers' Market set to open by Summer 2026. Image courtesy of The City of Overland Park