What will Greater Kansas City look like in 2040? CREW members got a quick look into the future at their monthly luncheon, thanks to guest speaker Frank Lenk, Director of Research Services, Mid-America Regional Council (above with KC CREW Chapter President Diana Ennis with Stewart Title and program coordinator Jenni Glass with the Overland Park Economic Development Council). Our area is forecasted to increase by 500,000 people and 300,000 jobs over the next 30 years.
MARC’s Technical Forecast Committee has a “nodes and corridors” strategy. Developed over the past 18 months, this scenario illustrates the impact of taking to a regional scale the kinds of activity centers area governments seem to be planning. It assumes local and regional policies promote development and redevelopment of commercial areas into mixed-use centers along corridors with sufficient densities and amenities to make them more walkable, bikeable, and easily served by transit. The results show less decline and a greater preservation of open space — 40 percent of the region’s expected population growth is accommodated in existing areas, while 60 percent is in new areas. Below, program sponsors Linda Laurence with Missouri Bank (left) and Sarah Staten with A.L. Huber Construction Co.
Subtropolis clients enjoy cool temps, easy expansion
We caught up recently with Dick Ringer, Assistant General Manager, and Connie Kamps, Director of Real Estate Operations for Hunt Midwest (in front of the SubTropolis model). Hunt Midwest SubTropolis, the world’s largest underground business complex, recently announced a renewal of 311,660 square feet by the U.S. Postal Service. An underground complex is perfect for this stamp fulfillment center postal operation (below) that sells stamps to buyers all over the world – the daily inventory of stamps is 400 to 600 million - with its dry, safe and natural, even temperature, Ringer said. Ringer also recently announced three lease renewals and expansions totaling 446,199 square feet: Bayer CropScience, Underground Vaults & Storage Inc. (which houses the original copies of classic movies such as “Gone with the Wind) and Highway Distribution Systems Inc. About two decades ago, when Underground Vaults & Storage opened at SubTropolis, it started with 6,000 square feet. Over the years, it’s been easy for the company and others to grow, just adding storage space next to its original location. Companies at SubTropolis can grow quickly and at a much lower cost that it would take to move from one office building to another, and the SubTropolis has plenty of room to grow. Last year, they began a 5 million square foot expansion, and there’s plenty more space to mine out after that.
Design Mechanical reaches out with DMI University
Design Mechanical, the area’s leading mechanical services company known for innovative customer service and an award-winning workplace, is the first to offer educational classes on HVAC for property owners and building engineers. These compact, hands-on courses, usually over the lunch hour (below) in DMI’s new training center, are designed to inform and educate facility owners, managers, directors, engineers and others in today’s latest HVAC technology. At DMI University, the customer has a hands-on experience with industry professionals to learn what’s new in HVAC technology, as well as proven processes from their own technical staff.
“The classes are a great way to learn about new products and new technology that’s out there,” said Valerie Mussett, sales/project manager for DMI. Here’s one example: The average nuisance call costs between $150 and $200. DMI University courses can decrease that by up to 50 percent. Other classes focus on energy benchmarking, indoor air quality, air balance, electrical, safety and more. The feedback they’re getting is very positive, Mussett said. Below, Gary Schlotzhauer with Kessinger Hunter, Phil Blea with REIT Management and Mike Chieppo, VP of Design Mechanical, attend a recent session.
Design Mechanical opened its doors in 2003 and has grown to over 60 service technicians, over 90 employees and over 1,000 customers. It is a mechanical construction / service company providing HVAC solutions to the commercial / industrial market, headed up by president William Iler. Major clients include Black and Veatch, Burns & McDonnell and Union Station.