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Port KC Progress

August 2015
In This Issue
Message from the President
Board of Trade Deal
Port Terminal Update
Leasing Opportunities
Welcome Chris Fasl
Upcoming Events At Berkley Riverfront Park
August 20 - Movie Night featuring Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade

August 22 - FestiBall

September 11, 12, 13  -Dancefestopia

September 24 - Movie Night featuring Moonrise Kingdom
 
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Message from Our President & CEO

 

Over the past fiscal year, Port KC has taken large strides in moving toward achieving our strategic goals and objectives. As many of you are well aware, FY15 was a very productive and eventful year.   A list of our achievements includes:  

  • Securing a development partnership with Flaherty & Collins for our first multifamily housing development at Berkley Riverfront Park.
  • Occupancy of our facilities at Richards-Gebaur Commerce Park is well above average at 85% thanks to our great long-term tenants, as well as our new tenants Gavilon, Sioux Chief and Chester Bross Construction.
  • Total employment at Richards-Gebaur Commerce Park has surpassed more than 200 employees. We hope to double that number in FY16.
  • Signed a port terminal operating agreement with Kaw Valley to move river borne freight inbound and outbound through the Woodswether Terminal.
  • Secured more than 200 jobs in Kansas City through the development financing for the Board of Trade project.
  • And of course, we changed our marketing name to Port KC!

Over this next fiscal year, we are working even more efficiently to achieve our strategic plan and vision to build breakthrough landmark projects that support growth and opportunity in Kansas City.

 

For FY16, you will hear from us more than ever with updates on our current and new endeavors. One key goal is to make sure that all of Kansas City has the opportunity to see and hear (real-time) the progress on many of our landmark projects; such as the increased rail and docking infrastructure upgrades at Woodswether Terminal, additional expansion efforts of waterway and inland port terminal prospects, enhanced trade opportunities for additional inland freight, globally; and providing enhanced economic opportunities for M/WBE contractors.

 

We are thrilled about this next year because of the momentum in Kansas City. Without the support of so many in Kansas City we would not be able to achieve our goals and objectives. We are truly grateful for our partners such as Hardwick Law, Taliaferro & Browne, KEM Studio, Country Club Bank, Gib Kerr from DTZ and Mark Long from NG Zimmer. These names are just a few of the many whom have greatly helped us.

 

Additionally, none of this could be achieved without the dedication of our board of Commissioners: George Wolf (chair), Dan Fowler (vice-chair), CiCi Rojas, Linda Clark, Juan Rangel, John Fierro, Dana Gibson, Vicki Richmond and Shomari Benton.

 

Last but certainly not least, I definitely want to thank Mayor James! It is because of his leadership that Kansas City is "thinking outside of the box" and has become a competitive force nationally and globally.  

  

Michael Collins

President & CEO of Port KC  

Port KC Strikes Deal with Mariner Real Estate Management

Port KC is playing an important role in keeping local architecture firm Populous in Kansas City. Port KC is providing financing for the redevelopment of the former Board of

Board of Trade Rendering

Trade building at 4800 Main Street, south of the Country Club Plaza. The primary tenant for the building will be Populous' 200 full-time employees. Developer, Mariner Real Estate Management LLC, partnered with Port KC on this project due to its unique statutory abilities to structure this as a tax exempt project, issue taxable revenue bonds and to meet the developer's expedited time frame. Port KC is simply acting as the conduit in the transaction between Mariner and its bondholders; while holding the title to the property in a sale-and-leaseback agreement. Populous was in search of new building space and this partnership keeps this world renowned firm in Kansas City. At full occupancy an estimated 800 people will be employed in the Board of Trade building.  

Work Continues at Port Terminal

Port KC and Kaw Valley Companies, the operator of the Port of Kansas City - Woodswether Terminal, continue to work together to promote commerce on the Missouri River. A new material handler and bucket loader were recently acquired and ready for use at the terminal.

 

 

   

 

 

Leasing Activity & Opportunities

Tenants are enjoying the benefits from the increased activity at Richards-Gebaur Commerce Park and are expanding and extending their leases. There are several buildings available for lease at Richards-Gebaur. These buildings are great cost-effective office, flex, medical and storage spaces with easy access to major highways and interstates. Other benefits include the inclusion of a foreign trade zone, and immediate access to class I freight rail service from Kansas City Southern. Buildings sizes ranges from 4,450-sf to 73,261 square feet of usable space.

 

For more information please email Mark Long at [email protected] or call at 816-512-1011.

 

Port KC Welcomes Chris Fasl

 

Christopher Fasl joined Port KC in June as a Development Intern. He recently completed his masters in Entrepreneurial Real Estate from the Bloch School of Management, which is complimented by his undergraduate degree in Urban Planning + Design from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. While attending classes Fasl worked as a research assistant and was active in many student leadership roles around campus, which notably included: President of the Real Estate Club, Bloch School Senator and Student Activity Funding Council Representative.

 

Since joining Port KC Fasl has been excited to structure his first deal and is working on new developments at both Richards-Gebaur and Berkley Riverfront. Fasl assists Joe Perry, Vice President of Development, in all areas of Port KC's real estate development and management. In his spare time, he enjoys disc golfing and tracking new developments in driverless car technologies.

About Port KC

Port KC's mission is to foster the economic vitality of Kansas City, Mo., through transportation, trade, commerce and development.
 
Port KC
300 Wyandotte, Suite 100
Kansas City, Missouri 64105
816-559-3750