JE Dunn Construction’s newly renovated HQ is the perfect backdrop for MWM's Retail-Office Summit

MetroWire Media will host its upcoming Office-Retail Summit on Tuesday, March 31 at 4 p.m., offering attendees a unique, behind-the-scenes look at the newly renovated headquarters of JE Dunn Construction in Kansas City. More than a traditional panel event, the summit doubles as an immersive experience, allowing guests to walk through and engage with a workplace transformation that reflects the future of office design.

The six-story, 190,157 SF headquarters has been comprehensively reimagined to better support evolving work styles, future growth, and the collaborative culture that defines the employee-owned company. The project exemplifies intentional workplace design, aligning organizational culture with business strategy to create a modern, adaptable environment that enhances the employee experience while providing a polished setting to host clients and partners.

Attendees will see firsthand a variety of new features, including expanded and flexible meeting environments, enhanced workstations, and thoughtfully designed indoor-outdoor social areas. A standout element is the redesigned Work Café, now a year-round destination connected to an upgraded patio through an operable wall system, complete with integrated heating and audio to extend usability across seasons.

Functionality within the existing footprint was a key priority. The renovation introduced 23 new meeting spaces, including a dividable training room and additional conference areas to support growing team and client needs. Throughout the space, strategic brand storytelling is woven into corridors with digital displays, curated messaging, and project photography that highlight JE Dunn’s legacy without overwhelming the architecture.

Sustainability also played a defining role. Rather than demolishing, the project team repurposed the existing structure and diverted 107 tons of material from landfills, contributing to environmental benefits equivalent to growing more than 2,300 tree seedlings over a decade. The building earned both WELL Gold and LEED Gold certifications, underscoring its commitment to high-performance, people-centered design.

Despite the scale of the transformation, the project was delivered while the building remained fully operational, relying on careful phasing and consistent communication to maintain business continuity.

The summit will feature insights from Charlie Lowe of CrossRoads Real Estate, Chris Jimemez of Clockwork Architects, and Beck Johnson of Walnut Risk Management, moderated by Marcia Youker, Midwest Regional Client Solutions Director with JE Dunn Construction. The discussion will be enhanced by the very environment attendees will experience in real time.

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Header image: One of many open-space common areas at the JE Dunn Kansas City headquarters will be the site for MetroWire Media's Office-Retail Summit March 31st. Image / JE Dunn credit: Nate Sheets Photography

Kansas City Industrial Growth: Smarter Sites, Stronger Collaboration

MetroWire Media closed out its 2025 programming with a standout KC MWM Industrial Summit, hosted at Johnson County Community College. With rising construction costs, evolving tenant expectations, and major infrastructure needs, our expert panel explored what’s driving Kansas City’s industrial momentum—and how the region is positioning for what’s next.

Special thanks to our sponsors who made this event possible:

Platinum Sponsors: JE Dunn Construction, Miller Stauch Construction
Bronze Sponsors: Bartlett & West, ARCO, Seal-O-Matic, Armstrong
Brew Crew Sponsors: Capitol Federal, KC SmartPort, BHC, studioNorth Architecture

What Makes KC Competitive?

Chris Gutierrez of KC SmartPort opened the conversation: “Every company that comes here asks how we got Missouri and Kansas in the same room from the start. That collaboration is our edge.” He emphasized KC’s multimodal freight infrastructure, industrial developer base, and workforce reliability as top selling points.

Construction Cost Pressure and Preconstruction Strategy

Ryan Schroeder of Russell Construction pointed to a slowdown in private investment due to high interest rates, but stressed that early collaboration is a winning formula: “Clients want cost and schedule certainty. That means contractors must be involved from the design phase, not just at bid time.”

Above: Attendees at MetroWire Media’s 2025 Industrial Summit listen in as the panel discusses the current state of Kansas City’s industrial real estate market. Image | BGSTUDIOS PHOTOGRAPHY + FILM

Speculative vs. Build-to-Suit: Staying Disciplined

Brent Peterson of NAI Heartland provided perspective from the leasing and capital markets side: “KC has been disciplined about what we build, and that’s why we’re still absorbing. Most activity today is build-to-suit, but spec buildings remain vital—especially smaller footprints under 500,000 SF.”

Infrastructure Is Now a Front-End Issue

Krizia Diaz, leading JE Dunn’s industrial manufacturing sector, discussed how “pad-ready” doesn’t always mean infrastructure-ready: “We’re helping clients pivot mid-project to phase development or self-supply utilities like wastewater treatment or power generation. That shifts design, cost, and timeline significantly.”

Flexibility in Design: The New Standard

Kevin Polit of studioNorth Architecture explained how flexible shell buildings support long-term utility: “You’re not just designing for one tenant anymore. You’re building a platform that can support automation, manufacturing, cold storage, or ESG upgrades over decades.”

John Krudwig of Bartlett & West agreed, adding: “We’re designing spec with build-to-suit in mind—high-performing roof structures, flat floors, even modular under-slab systems for future use. It’s more rewarding, more strategic.”

Automation Expectations Are Real—and Rising

Karley Felz, an automation systems expert, shared how tenant demands are shifting: “Automation is no longer optional. With labor tight, tenants want high-speed connectivity, stronger slabs, and wider column spacing. We’re seeing higher employee satisfaction too—robots aren’t replacing people, they’re supporting them.”

Data Centers: Boon or Bottleneck?

The discussion turned to KC’s growing data center market. With Meta and Google investing billions, power availability is now a gating factor. “These aren’t one-and-done builds,” said Gutierrez. “They upgrade every two years. But they also generate secondary demand—construction, manufacturing, automation. It’s an ecosystem.”

Panelists noted the need for better long-term planning around power generation, with Kevin Polit citing innovations like small modular nuclear reactors as viable mid-term solutions. Brent Peterson explained that the “$100 billion” data center numbers are cumulative over decades, reflecting upgrades, infrastructure, and equipment, not just construction.

Above: Guests mingle at the MWM 2025 Industrial Summit at Johnson County Community College before the panel discussion.

Looking Ahead: Where's the Growth?

The panel identified I-35 south of Olathe, Liberty/Northland, and Lee’s Summit as key corridors for future development. “We need more product,” said Gutierrez. “When interest rates drop, we’ll need those buildings ready to go.”

John Krudwig confirmed that multiple spec projects are in design across the region. Peterson added: “Post-2008, speculative development changed our market. If you build it—smartly—they will come.”

The Workforce Pipeline Starts Now

Several panelists praised Kansas City’s workforce development infrastructure, with Ryan Schroeder sharing a personal anecdote about a Rockhurst student exploring trade school: “This generation sees the trades differently—and we should be encouraging that.”

In Closing: Collaboration Remains KC’s Superpower

Angela Dicioccio, MetroWire’s Event Director, wrapped the event: “What makes Kansas City work is the collaboration between developers, designers, builders, and economic partners. We’re already planning for 2026—and with the World Cup coming, Kansas City is about to take the global stage.”

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Header image: Panelists discuss what's driving the Industrial real estate market in the Kansas City region at MetroWire Media's 2025 Industrial Summit at the Regnier Center- Johnson County Community College. Image | BGSTUDIOS PHOTOGRAPHY + FILM

$20 million parking project aims to improve accessibility and infrastructure in 18th & Vine

Kansas City, Missouri, has partnered with Grayson Capital to develop a new 470-space parking facility in the 18th & Vine District, a historic and culturally significant area. The project will not only increase parking capacity but also improve infrastructure and connectivity, supporting the District’s growth as a hub for entertainment, culture, and history.

The parking garage at 1819 Lydia Ave. will serve as a key transit hub, providing much-needed space for the District’s visitors and residents. Funded by a $20 million allocation from the City Council, the project will enhance accessibility for the area’s ongoing revitalization efforts.

Mayor Quinton Lucas emphasized the development's importance in fostering the long-term growth of the Jazz District, noting that this project will support future developments while preserving the District’s cultural heritage. City Manager Brian Platt highlighted the project's broader impact, which is one of many revitalization efforts underway in the 18th & Vine area, bringing investment and job opportunities to Kansas City’s East Side.

Councilwoman Melissa Patterson-Hazley pointed out the significance of the public-private partnership, calling it a milestone for community development and economic growth. Councilwoman Melissa Robinson also expressed her enthusiasm, noting the improvements in walkability, safety, and access that the new facility will bring to the area.

The facility, currently in the design phase, is slated for completion ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Once finished, the City of Kansas City will own and operate the garage, ensuring its role in supporting local businesses and attractions for years to come. JE Dunn Construction will collaborate with Grayson Capital to bring the project to fruition.

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Header image: A conceptual rendering of the 470-space parking garage at the18th and Vine District. Image courtesy of Grayson Capital