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

Independence, Mo. set to rebuild historic power plant to fuel massive AI data center

Independence, Mo., is positioning itself at the forefront of the artificial intelligence infrastructure boom with plans to reopen and drastically expand a long-dormant power facility to meet the energy needs of a new, billion-dollar AI data center campus. The project, anchored by European cloud computing firm Nebius, will transform the former Blue Valley Power Plant into a powerhouse capable of generating up to nine times more energy than it once did — enough to support cutting-edge AI workloads and bring significant economic activity to the region.

Nebius has announced plans to build its third — and largest — U.S. data center in Independence within the Eastgate Commerce Center, a 400-acre site east of Kansas City. The campus is expected to span roughly 2.5 million SF and include multiple buildings dedicated to high-density AI compute and storage. The full buildout could require at least 800 megawatts (MW) of power, roughly enough to supply hundreds of thousands of homes — a dramatic increase compared to the original plant’s roughly 90 MW capacity.

To supply electricity during the interim, the city is negotiating four separate energy contracts with third-party providers, including NextEra Energy and Evergy. These agreements allow Independence Power and Light to purchase power beginning in mid-2026 and pass costs through to Nebius, keeping local utility rates stable for residents and businesses.

The centerpiece of the energy strategy is the phased redevelopment of the Blue Valley Power Plant. Originally constructed in the late 1950s and shuttered in 2020, the facility will be rebuilt and expanded by Independence Power Partners (IPP) — a joint venture between United Energy Trading, a major North American crude oil and natural gas company, and Exigent Energy, a national energy management firm. This private financing arrangement accelerates construction, with an initial 250 MW phase targeted to come online by 2027 and expansion to over 1,100 MW by 2029.

Local officials emphasize that the project — with construction set to begin later this year — is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits, including construction jobs, longer-term operations roles, and broader investment in regional infrastructure.

As Independence rebuilds its historic power plant to meet the demands of tomorrow’s AI economy, the city is betting that power — and data — can fuel not just machines, but sustained growth for the local community.

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Header image: Eastgate Commerce Center in Independence, Mo. gets a new $1billion AI data center. Photo | Cushman & Wakefield

Chiefs’ move to Kansas could transform commercial development across the metro

The Kansas City Chiefs’ planned move to the Kansas side of the Kansas City metro area is already reshaping expectations for commercial growth, real estate investment, and long-term economic development. While the relocation would mark the end of the team’s decades-long run in Missouri, it is widely viewed by Kansas officials and developers as a generational opportunity to anchor new construction and private investment around a modern NFL stadium.

The proposed project centers on a new domed stadium in Wyandotte County, a move that would position the region to compete for major events beyond professional football, including concerts, conventions, and national sporting events. Economic development leaders say the stadium itself is only part of the story. The surrounding land is expected to attract a wave of mixed-use development designed to create year-round activity rather than a venue that sits largely idle outside of game days.

Developers are already speculating about new hotels, restaurants, and entertainment concepts aimed at capturing crowds drawn by games and special events. Retail space, office buildings, and residential projects are also likely, following a national trend in which sports venues anchor walkable districts that blend work, housing, and leisure. Similar developments around newer NFL stadiums have shown that teams increasingly serve as catalysts for broader commercial ecosystems rather than standalone attractions.

The Chiefs’ potential relocation is also expected to influence development patterns beyond the stadium site. Areas along major highway corridors in Kansas could see increased interest from employers seeking proximity to a high-profile destination and improved infrastructure. Hospitality and service industries are anticipated to benefit most immediately, while longer-term growth could include corporate offices and regional headquarters drawn by the visibility and prestige associated with the franchise.

Supporters argue the move would solidify the Kansas side of the metro as a hub for sports-driven economic development, while critics raise concerns about public financing and the loss of revenue for Missouri. Even so, real estate professionals note that large-scale stadium projects often generate momentum that extends well beyond initial projections, especially when paired with intentional planning and private-sector participation.

If the relocation proceeds, the Chiefs’ new home could reshape the commercial landscape of the metro area for decades, signaling a shift in how professional sports franchises influence urban growth, land use, and regional competition in the Kansas City area.

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Header image: A rendering of a new Kansas City Chiefs stadium that may be built near the Legends in Wyandotte County, Kan. Image | Manica

Mid‑America Real Estate sells Summit Fair, a leading Lee’s Summit retail destination

Mid‑America Real Estate Corporation’s Investment Sales Group announced the sale of Summit Fair, a well‑known retail and dining destination in the southeastern suburbs of Kansas City. Principals Ben Wineman and Joe Girardi served as the exclusive listing brokers on behalf of the seller, Phoenix‑based RED Development. On the buyer’s side, Block & Company, Inc., Realtors — represented by David Block and Zach Albrecht — acquired the property on behalf of a private investment group.

Located off Interstate 470 and U.S. Highway 50 in Lee’s Summit, Summit Fair is an open‑air “lifestyle center” boasting roughly 510,000 square feet of retail space and an occupancy rate near 90%. Anchors in the center include top national names like Dick's Sporting Goods, H&M, DSW and shadow‑anchors such as JCPenney and Furniture Mall of Missouri. The property also supports a broad mix of inline tenants, from retailers and fitness studios to restaurants and specialty shops — including Lululemon, Sephora, Orangetheory Fitness, Pure Barre, and many others.

According to the buyer’s announcement, Summit Fair attracts more than 4.3 million visits annually — placing it among the top 7 percent of shopping centers in Missouri by foot‑traffic performance. The lifestyle center’s pedestrian‑friendly layout, landscaping and walkable storefronts contribute to its popularity as a community gathering place.

With this acquisition, Block & Company now manages ten multi‑tenant centers in Lee’s Summit and plans to build upon Summit Fair’s success. The firm intends to expand the tenant mix, lease available space, and program community‑oriented events — efforts aimed at enhancing Summit Fair’s role as a long-term retail and social hub for area residents.

While earlier listing materials from Mid‑America reported a square‑footage figure of approximately 241,923, the buyer’s and public‑market sources align on the 510,000 SF benchmark. This suggests the larger number likely reflects the full center footprint rather than a subset — underscoring Summit Fair’s scale and regional importance. 

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Header image: The central courtyard of Summit Fair retail center in Lee's Summit, Mo. Image | Mid-American Real Estate

Kansas City TIF Commission approves $484 million redevelopment plan for historic Scarritt Building

Kansas City’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Commission has approved backing for a roughly $480 million redevelopment plan that would transform the Scarritt Building, a historic downtown skyscraper, into a mixed-use complex featuring a luxury hotel, apartments, retail, and a music venue.

Under the plan, the Scarritt Building at 818 Grand Boulevard would be adaptively reused as a 167-room destination hotel branded by Universal Music. The broader project, located on the 800 block of Grand Avenue, would also include a residential tower with 319 multi-family units, about 28,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, and a 1,400-seat music and entertainment venue.

Port KC, the public development authority driving the project, approved the resolution to issue up to $480 million in taxable revenue bonds to support the development. Construction is expected to take place in two phases over roughly five years, with work on the Scarritt Building renovation slated to begin in 2026.

The Scarritt Building, completed in 1907, is one of downtown Kansas City’s oldest skyscrapers. It has been largely vacant in recent years but carries historic significance, having been added to historic registers.

The redevelopment effort seeks to pair preservation of the landmark building with catalytic growth for the surrounding Grand Corridor. Officials argue that restoring the Scarritt Building — alongside new housing, retail, and entertainment — aligns with broader goals of revitalizing the city’s core and driving long-term economic vitality.

If all goes according to plan, the development could bring new residents, visitors, and cultural amenities to downtown Kansas City, anchored by the historic Scarritt Building and powered by modern investment.

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Header image: An aerial rendering highlighting the historic Scarritt Building at 818 Grand Blvd. in the Grand Corridor of downtown Kansas City. Image | Hoefer Welker