The Downtown Loop
Revitalization of vacant or blighted office buildings is the trend in Kansas City's Downtown Loop, where the heart of the city pulses with a diverse mix of civic, business and cultural activity.
Six of these buildings are in a three-block radius of 10th and Baltimore, the most prominent of which is the former First National Bank building's $46 million renovation. Upon completion, this four-story, 170,000-square-foot neoclassic structure at 14 West 10th Street will be the new home of the Kansas City Public Library main branch. The state-of-the-art facility will offer enhanced programming, better access to collections and other amenities, such as a 250-seat theater on a new fifth-floor addition and an open air garden plaza on the existing bank roof. The project is a joint venture between the library board of trustees and the Downtown Council. J.E. Dunn is the general contractor with completion slated for November, 2003.
Complementing the library project is the conversion of two nearby high-rise office buildings into residential lofts with street-level commercial space. The $42 million Library Lofts complex includes two properties in the area of 10th and Baltimore--the former Dwight/Burnap building (Library Lofts East) and the former Board of Trade building (Library Lofts West). The $18.5 million first phase, completed in the fall of 2002, involved converting the 10-story Dwight/Burnap property into 118 loft apartments. Renovation of the 14-story Board of Trade is under way and will offer an additional 168 units upon completion next year. Master Realty Properties is developing the complex with DST as an equity partner.
Two additional properties are part of the explosion of high-rise office conversions in the area surrounding the new library. The Hanover Building, 15 West 10th Street, and the Chambers Building, 25 East 12th Street, are undergoing a $10.6 million renovation by Embassy Properties and will add an additional 100 residential units combined. Both are scheduled for completion in the summer of 2003.
A $6.4 million, 480-space new parking garage at 10th & Baltimore facility is the result of a cooperative effort between developers of the library and the surrounding loft properties. J.E. Dunn is building the garage, which is expected to be complete in the summer of 2003.
Another notable project has commenced three blocks south of the library development. In July, 2002 work began on the $85 million renovation of the venerable President Hotel at 13th and Baltimore. The project, which will also encompass adjacent property, will involve the construction of 214 hotel rooms, 225 apartments and 47,000 square feet of retail space. More than 50 percent of the development is part of Phase 1, which is expected to be complete by the end of 2003. President Development Group LLC is developing the project with construction by J.E. Dunn.
Moving to the east side of the loop, the federal government has initiated an $80 million renovation of the Richard Bolling Federal Building at 12th and Locust. Work began in April, 2002 on the 40-year-old facility. The project, which will span all 18 floors for a total of 1.2 million square feet, is expected to continue through 2010. A new roof is being added and nearly every floor will be dramatically renovated, including asbestos removal and the installation of new electrical, mechanical, plumbing and lighting equipment. Subsequent phases will span four to five floors each, finishing at the ground level.
Other prominent developments in the Downtown Loop include:
Cathedral Square -- Kansas City Southern dedicated its new headquarters at 12th and Broadway in September, 2002. Designed to look like a turn-of-the-century railroad building, the $40-million project encompasses 133,000 square feet and includes an 890-space garage available for employees and the public.
Cathedral of Immaculate Conception -- Located at 11th and Broadway, this historic church building is undergoing an $8 million renovation. The project includes restoration of stained glass, a new 11-foot-diameter stained glass rose window, complete remodeling of the interior to complement the exterior design, and lowering the choir loft. In an earlier phase, the cathedral's landmark gold dome and other exterior materials were upgraded. Dedication of the newly refurbished cathedral is slated for early 2003.
Commerce Trust Building -- The 95-year-old landmark bank building at 922 Walnut St. is in the final phase of its four-year, $25 million overhaul. The 16-story tower renovation includes filling an existing interior well, replacing windows to meet current energy performance standards and expanding the building to 300,000 square feet.
Municipal Auditorium -- The 66-year-old building at 13th and Central has several eye catching renovation projects in the works--though some are moving faster than others. The auditorium's highest-profile project involves converting 60,000 square feet of the auditorium for the National Association of Basketball Coaches headquarters, hall of fame, fan exhibits and retail space. The goal is to complete the $25 million conversion in 2004. Another Municipal project announced in April 2002 facing an uphill funding challenge, is a plan that calls for a $40 million renovation and expansion of the auditorium's Music Hall. One project solidly underway is a $2 million restoration of the lower lobby, including replacement of about 100 exterior doors and other interior improvements.
11th and Oak Parking Facility -- With nine levels and 1,350 spaces, the $16.5 million garage should help address the parking crunch around City Hall and the Jackson County Courthouse. The garage will include 17,000 square feet of first floor retail space and will feature a perforated exterior panel system. The construction by J.E. Dunn, will be complete in early 2003.
U.S. Federal Courthouse -- The General Services Administration, owners of the five-story, 364,000-square-foot structure at 811 Grand St., has announced renovation plans for the 63-year-old facility. The GSA, the federal government's central procurement and property-management agency, is currently considering redevelopment plans for the old courthouse. A $1.6 million federal appropriation has been approved and the GSA hopes to reach a decision on the building's use and/or future ownership by April 2003. The structure has been vacant since the new, state-of-the-art Charles Evans Whittaker U.S. Courthouse opened in 1998.
Clubhouse Lofts -- Located at 13th and Baltimore in the 15 story building formerly occupied by the Kansas City Club, this $12 million project will include 74 loft apartments--some that are two stories and feature open terraces--as well as 45,000 square feet of dedicated space for banquets, meeting rooms and a café. A.L. Huber began construction in November 2002 and the project should be complete in the summer of 2003. The property is being developed by Clubhouse Developers.
H. Roe Bartle Hall -- Designers are working on a three-year plan to upgrade KC's convention center at 12th and Broad- way. Voters approved a sales tax increase in November, 2002 to fund the $81 mil. project, which will include the addition of a 40,000-square-foot ballroom and other improve- ments. Construction is slated to begin in 2004 and the project will take two years to complete.