Earth-moving moment in Lee's Summit as industrial spec moves ahead

For Lee's Summit development leaders, seeing industrial spec inventory come out of the ground has often felt akin to moving mountains. That's why seeing dirt finally move at The Grove at Lee's Summit mixed-use site near M-291 and Bailey Road on the south side of the city is so gratifying.

"The Grove will allow Lee's Summit to finally 'get in the game' and compete for industrial relocation and expansion projects," said Rick McDowell, Lee's Summit Economic Development Council president. "Lee's Summit has not even been able to submit proposals for dozens of projects through the years simply because the city lacked viable industrial buildings."

The project's timing is just right, according to Mark Long, executive managing director of Newmark Grubb Zimmer: "The Grove is coming to the market at the same time as some key infrastructure improvements including the Bailey Road overpass and more importantly the new interchange at Highway 50 and M-291. There is a lack of available Class A product in the area, and this project will fill that gap in supply."

On Friday, local dignitaries, city staff and project partners took their shovels to the dirt, signaling the beginning of land clearance for infrastructure to support construction of The Grove's first building, a 200,000 square spec industrial facility. 

"We are excited about beginning this new chapter of development in the city of Lee's Summit. The Grove will be the premiere mixed use destination for people to work, shop and play for years to come. We are grateful to the mayor, city council, city staff and the LSEDC for supporting our vision for the future," said Steve Singh, CEO and managing partner of The Grove.

The mixed-use development will include an additional 200,000 square feet of light industrial space, as well as the donation of property to the City of Lee’s Summit for a future fire station. With an upscale design loosely based upon successful, world-class properties like The Grove at LA and Santana Row in San Jose, California, The Grove promises to transform Lee’s Summit's southern gateway.

Project partners include A.L. Huber, general contractor; BHC Rhodes, civil engineering services; Klover Architects, architectural design, Newmark Grubb Zimmer, real estate broker, and White Goss, legal services.

For more information about The Grove, contact Daren Fristoe, project manager. 

California developer plans 1M SF business park in Lee’s Summit

On March 31, the Lee’s Summit City Council will deliver its decision on whether to hand over the lead development role for an 85-acre tract of land to California-based Westcott Investment Group. The developer is planning a 1 million-square-foot business park, consisting of commercial office, warehouse, and light manufacturing space. If all goes as planned, Westcott would commence construction on the first phase of 200,000 square feet by the summer of 2017.

Last week, Westcott asked the Lee’s Summit City Council to approve the assignment of development rights granted to Exergonic LLC in 2011 through a public/private partnership development agreement. The City Council voted to direct staff to draft the documents necessary for the assignment to Westcott to take place; That assignment heads back to City Council on March 31 for approval.

Westcott is associated with Diede Construction Inc., a firm with 15 million square feet under management. The local team for Westcott includes Aaron March with White Goss, Daren Fristoe, Jon Plaas, Danny Potts of Klover Architects, and Ryan Elam of BHC Rhodes.

Westcott CEO Steve Singh said Lee’s Summit is a perfect development fit for his firm.

“Approximately two years ago, Westcott began the due diligence process on a potential site for a development in Lee’s Summit. We were drawn to the area by the city’s core strengths of premier health care, schools, parks, historic downtown and the need for additional locally-based employers,” Singh said. “Through our discussions with Exergonix, we determined this specific location as the optimum starting point to deliver the first step in an expansive mixed-use development, ultimately resulting in the creation of new jobs. With our proven development track record, we look forward to partnering with the City of Lee’s Summit and bringing The Grove at Lee’s Summit to fruition.”