MetroWireMedia e-publications

Rafael Garcia, principal of Rafael Architects, Inc., brings hands-on involvement in every project the firm undertakes. No where is that more apparent than in one of the firm’s latest projects, the new Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center that has just broken ground at 825 Euclid in Kansas City. As the architect for the new $26 million center and park-like campus, Garcia (above) started with a concept: the building’s decades-old logo of a pelican protecting and feeding its young, and the idea of ‘Who was Sam Rodgers? A beloved doctor who took care of his people.’

“The better the concept, the better the building,” Garcia said. “Otherwise, it’s just another building. And the center is anything but another building. “We’re trying to make this their home,” he said. “Fifty different languages are spoken here.”

In that vein, each element of the building is designed with the original concept in mind, from the wings on the building (see model below) to each waiting area and clinic that have their own culturally appropriate signage, flooring and fabrics. The three floors are named for the waters, the land and the skies. The lobby is the “tree of life” concept and the Tamarind tree is the inspiration for the lobby floor pattern. There also are blackened African textures and colors and  masks, because in most African countries, black is the color of health. “Everything has a purpose, from the colors and textures of these many cultures,” Garcia said. “Each piece of this project has taken so much research and learning, but it’s been a great joy. And fortunately, nothing has been watered down since the beginning.” For more information about the project, go to rafaelarchitects.com.

Legislative Preview Breakfast set for Dec. 8

The annual Missouri Growth Association’s Legislative Preview Breakfast will be held Dec. 8 at 7:30 a.m., hosted by Polsinelli Shughart, at 700 W. 47th St. Above, Kirk Sherman and Troy Nash, Zimmer Real Estate Services, Wendy Timm, 2010 Missouri Growth Association President, and Kent Dvorak, Terracon enjoy a recent MGA Kansas City event. Each year prior to the legislative session in Jefferson City, MGA gives members and guests an opportunity to hear from their governmental affairs team about the implications of the recent November elections and what to expect in January on the legislative front. Continental breakfast will be provided and reservations are required. The breakfast is complimentary  for MGA members; $20 for non-members. Go to www.mogrowth.com and use the “upcoming events” tab to make your reservation.  For more information, call Ann Auer at 314-961-2211.

Ken Block humbled by 2 big awards

The awards keep on coming for Kenneth G. Block, SIOR, CCIM, Managing Principal, Block Real Estate Services, LLC. This fall he received the 2010 Commercial National Award from the National Association of REALTORS for demonstrating professional excellence in commercial real estate. And earlier this spring, he received the first ever “Allen J. Block Realtor of the Year” award by the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors. This award was renamed in 2009 to recognize Allen Block’s 70 years in the business and his dedication to both the local real estate board and the real estate profession both locally and nationally. Block also was honored for reaching the significant milestone of over $2.5 billion in career sales.

“It has been a very exciting and humbling honor to receive both the Realtor of the Year Award named in honor of my father earlier this year and to now receive the 2010 Commercial Award from the National Association of Realtors,” he said.

NAR’s Commercial National Awards Recognition Program was created to highlight and honor NAR members who have won an award for their professional achievements in commercial real estate. “The hard work and commitment they have devoted to commercial real estate has greatly contributed to the success of the industry and outstanding achievements as a commercial professional display the strength of our Commercial members”, said Jan Hope, Vice President of National Association of Realtors. For the award in the spring, the criteria for the Realtor of the Year  includes participation by the recipient in Realtor Association activities at the local, state and national levels, prominent civic and community service, the highest level of professional conduct, and extraordinary business accomplishments. Kenneth G. Block is the first ever recipient of this award for Block Real Estate Services, LLC.

“Being recognized as the recipient of the 2009 Allen J. Block Realtor of the Year is particularly rewarding because it recognizes not just the business accomplishments of the recipient but their involvement in realtor association activities, civic and community service, and professional conduct. My father instilled in my brothers and me the importance of giving back to your profession and to your community in order to share your expertise with the younger generation and your financial success with those less fortunate. And to receive this award that bears my father’s name is truly a great honor.”

Other awards include being selected as a member of the Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame by Midwest Real Estate News; selected Realtor Associate of the Year for Metropolitan Kansas City Board of Realtors, nominated for Realtor Associate of the Year in the Missouri Association of Realtors, named to Who’s Who in Real Estate in America and elected as an Outstanding Young Man in America.  Additionally, he was selected as one of the top 31 Brokers in America by the Commercial Property News, a commercial broker Allstar by Real Estate MidAmerica magazine, and a Top Sales Producer Rainmaker by Ingram’s Magazine.

John Noblit and Rick Didier of Noblit Didier have devoted their talents to commercial and residential projects throughout the Kansas City and surrounding region, handling more than 70 custom homes and 100 remodeling projects, including high profile restaurant remodels and ongoing maintenance for a national restaurant chain.  The company recently became the distributor for Structural Integrated Panels (SIP Panels) in our area and is using the product to build several area homes.  Last week, it only took one working day to put up a home at 8402 Mercier.  Noblit Didier is offering SIPs to home and business owners and is receiving overwhelming response.  SIPs are rigid foam sandwiched between factory-bonded plywood that offer myriad of “green” benefits, in addition to other health and cost advantages. “SIPs have tremendous advantages in terms of energy performance,” Noblit said. “They create a tight, well-insulated building shell that doesn’t have the air-flow leakage that results from wood studs in conventional construction — and they do this with efficient use of resources.”   Below, Noblit works with a panel.

Below, the house takes shape. Noblit told guests that SIPs panels are pre-cut and pre-drilled for electric and plumbing, which saves building time and cost.  The pre-cut panels can be ordered for an entire home or building, or they can be cut on-site to create door and window openings.  To install, workers simply tilt up the wall panels and join connectors called “splines” to lock adjoining panels together – a process that is three-times faster than the a stud-frame approach.  For more information about Noblit Didier, please visit noblitdidier.com.

StartKC holds open house to spread the word

StartKC, an entrepreneurs’ resource organization that was founded by a local group of CEOs, economic development corporations, small business development centers and community leaders, held an open house recently to promote networking and to tell its story. Below, Dean Realty Co. was well represented: Larry McMillin, Ashley Terrell, Kent Kordes and Sherry Miller enjoy an evening out.

Below, Jon Yoder with The Greenhouse, an entrepreneurial incubator joins Weston Bergmann and Mark Brigman, CEO of StartKC.

Below, Seth Meinzen, co-founder and COO of StartKC, joined Michelle Lingenfelser and other guests at the networking event.

StartKC provides 24/7 access to decision makers, resources, education and networking opportunities to propel your business. It’s built by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. Below, Bob Collister with Memory Showcase and Austin Thompson with Enterprise Bank & Trust checked out the possibilities. For more information, go to startkc.com or call CEO Brigman at 816-678-2612.

CREW/CCIM holiday party comes to the Sprint Campus

The date has been set: The annual KC CREW and CCIM Holiday Party for members and their guests will be held Tuesday, December 7, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the breathtaking Winter Garden Room (above) on the Sprint Campus in Overland Park. There is no formal program but a great networking opportunities. Drinks and appetizers will be served. It’s a free event, just register through either group by Dec. 2. Party hosts include Commerce Bank, N.A., Integra Realty Resources, Lankford + associates Consulting Engineers, Inc., the Overland Park Economic Development Council, CCIM, Bank of Kansas, CBIZ | Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C., CIT, Dunn Project Solutions, Mark One Electric, SureWest and Underground Environmental Services.  Below, Bess Kessinger with Q10 Triad Capital Advisors (left), Rosana Privitera Biondo, president of Mark One Electric Company, Inc., and John Parker with Q10, an annual  sponsor.

Urban Land Institute Kansas City had quite a turnout for its major annual event that was held recently at Boulevard Brewing Company in the West Bottoms: The Developments of Distinction Awards. The awards seek to recognize exceptional development initiatives and an individual who has made an ongoing contribution to the built environment in the Kansas City region. Selected properties are chosen for being successful in their own right and for having positive impacts beyond their immediate boundaries. A single Lifetime Achievement Award is also given to an individual who has demonstrated a sustained, outstanding commitment to community-building.

Below, Leonard Graham, UMKC Chancellor, congratulates that lifetime winner, Hugh J. Zimmer, along with Dan Musser (right), Senior Vice President, Zimmer Real Estate Services and ULI -Kansas City District Chair. The main winners were JE Dunn, UMKC Student Union (Gould Evans Associates was the architect and McCown Gordon was the contractor) and the McGee Street Revitalization.

Below, Musser honors Dr. Audry Kunin from DERMAdoctor for the McGee Street Revitalization project.

Below, Musser congratulates Steve Dunn from JE Dunn Construction. JE Dunn received a Development of Distinction Award for their new downtown headquarters.

Below, Dan Musser gives an award to Mary Wetzler from Service Management Group, which was also part of the McGee Street Revitalization.

Below, receiving certificates of honor for the McGee Street Revitalization were (from left) Dawn Taylor from The AIA Kansas City, Dan Musser, Laura McGraw from Tomboy Design, Inc., and Sherri Parr from the Brick.

Gould Evans’ projects recognized among top in the Midwest

It’s been a great fall for the principals at Gould Evans’ Kansas City office – David Reid, AIA; Adam Sterns, AIA; Tony Rohr, AIA; Dennis Strait, AIA; and Bob Gould, FAIA (not pictured). Gould Evans has been recognized for its achievements in architecture by both the Central States  and Kansas chapters of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).  The respective award programs recognize and honor the top design projects nominated by constituents of each chapter. The Central States Chapter of AIA, representing architects/designers in Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Missouri, recognized Gould Evans with a Merit Award for its work on the Metropolitan Community Colleges’ FEMA Shelters, specifically shelters on the MCC-Penn Valley, MCC-Maple Woods and MCC-Longview campuses. And in September, the Kansas Chapter of the AIA presented its Annual Design Awards  in Topeka, where  Gould Evans came home with six more awards.

LANE4 announces new restaurant for Prairie Village shops

Goodbye Jose Peppers, hello Tavern In The Village. By late February, there will be a new restaurant in the Prairie Village shops (above), the creation of owner Kelly Manning. Manning approached Jose Peppers earlier this year, offering to buy out their lease. They agreed and the deal was struck this week. “The surrounding neighborhood has been asking for a restaurant of this type since the closing of Fairway Grill. We are thrilled to offer this new concept to our patrons,” said Jeff Berg of LANE4 Property Management Group.

Tavern In The Village will offer an American styled menu focusing on fresh ingredients and classic dishes with a twist, open 7 days a week serving, lunch, happy hour and dinner.  “Tavern In The Village will be a place where everyone feels like a VIP, but has all of the comforts of a great neighborhood restaurant,” Manning said . “The menu will be moderately priced and the restaurant will offer great value in both food and experience.” Jose Peppers closed its doors, and Manning will begin extensively remodeling the former space to feature a sophisticated but comfortable atmosphere.

Noblit Didier, a Kansas City residential and commercial builder, will hold an SIPs demonstration and presentation from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today at a home at 8402 Mercier in Kansas City.

What are SIPs? They’re the latest in energy-efficient building. These Structural Integrated Panels (SIPs) are being offered by Noblit Didier to home and business owners, and they are receiving overwhelming response.  When it comes to breakthroughs in environmentally friendly building materials and home construction, structural insulated panels (SIPs) are among the best.  SIPs are rigid foam sandwiched between factory-bonded plywood that offer myriad of “green” benefits, in addition to other health and cost advantages. So stop by today at the home just east of Ward Parkway and get a free lunch, a hands on look at the product, a Q&A opportunity with SIP experts Don Yonke, John Noblit and Rick Didier.

Many areas show home price gains, but not Midwest

Fully half of metropolitan areas tracked in the third quarter continued to show modest home price increases from a year ago, despite a sharp decline in home sales after the deadline for the home buyer tax credit, according to a survey this month by the National Association of Realtors.

In the third quarter, 77 out of 155 metropolitan statistical areas had higher median existing single-family home prices in comparison with the third quarter of 2009, including 11 with double-digit increases; two were unchanged and 76 metros showed price declines. In the third quarter of 2009 only 30 of these areas experienced annual price gains.

Unfortunately, in the Midwest, the median existing single-family home price declined 3.0 percent to $145,600 in the third quarter from the third quarter of 2009. Existing-home sales in the Midwest dropped 33.7 percent in the third quarter to a level of 860,000 and are 28.9 percent below a year ago. Year-to-date there were 849,000 sales in the Midwest, compared with 860,000 in 2009.

The national median existing single-family price was little changed at $177,900 in the third quarter, down 0.2 percent from $178,200 in the third quarter of 2009. The median is where half sold for more and half sold for less. Distressed homes, typically sold at discount, accounted for 34 percent of third quarter sales, up from 30 percent a year ago.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said relatively flat home prices have been the hallmark of the 2010 housing market. “Even with swings in home sales, prices this year have been changing very little from year-ago readings. Areas with some larger swings in home price reflect the degree of distressed sales in those markets,” he said.

Want a glimpse of the real estate future?

The Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors’ “2011 Residential Real Estate Forecast” event will be on Wed., Dec. 8. The luncheon and program will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the KCRAR classroom, 11150 Overbrook Road in Leawood, and will feature Dr. Stanley Longhofer, director of the Center for Real Estate at Wichita State University, and Walt Clements (above), director of the Lewis White Real Estate Center at UMKC. They will provide an in-depth look at the future of the national and local real estate markets. The event is free to broker owners and branch managers with registration. Call 913-266-5908 for more information.

This year marks the debut of Holiday Windows, a collaboration between the Kansas City Power & Light District and two arts organizations

Take a stroll down Main Street between 12^th and 14^th streets and you may find yourself with an extra dose of holiday spirit.

A new collaboration between the Kansas City Power & Light District, Arts Incubator and Hello Art pairs “some of the area’s most talented local artists with 13 downtown businesses to create unique and enchanting window displays along Main Street,” according to Rachel Waller with the Kansas City Power & Light District.

Arts Incubator is a Crossroads-based non-profit organization that is dedicated to working with emerging artists, while Hello Art is a membership-based arts program that unites those who enjoy and support art.

This year marks the debut of the Holiday Windows concept, which officially kicks off on Nov. 18. The project fulfills several goals, including the continuation of a partnership between local businesses and artists that produces ongoing benefits for all involved, as well as the surrounding community.

“Giving local artists this opportunity to showcase their creativity and ingenuity is a wonderful treat for everyone involved, and especially for all the people who will be delighted by this addition to the spectacle of the downtown holiday season,” says Paul Tyler, grants director of the ArtsKC Fund.

In the weeks leading up to the Holiday Windows launch, more than 13 individual artists and artist groups were chosen by juried selection to design and install holiday window displays that illustrate the theme “Holiday Classics.” From Nov. 18 to Dec. 16, downtown visitors will be able to vote for their favorite storefront window, and the winning artist(s) will receive a $5,000 cash prize. The Holiday Windows will be on display until January 2.

“We have worked hard to add new elements to the downtown experience every year and are very excited about this holiday season and the tradition we are beginning in the Kansas City Power & Light District,” says Nick Benjamin, executive director of the Power & Light District. “Holiday Windows on Main is a great chance to show Kansas City how talented our local artists are, as well as how much holiday cheer downtown and its many locally owned boutiques and restaurants have to offer.”

Participating merchants in Holiday Windows include Latteland Espresso & Tea, MeMa’s Bakery, Polished Nail Salon, Cosentino’s Market Downtown, The Indie Bar, Jos A. Banks, The Garment District Boutique, Zafar Salon, Spa & Boutique, Polished Edge Fine Jewelry, Envolve Boutique, AMC Mainstreet 6 and Fran’s Restaurant.

Organizers also hope Holiday Windows will solidify downtown Kansas City’s place as a destination throughout the holiday season for entertainment and shopping. And as the holiday shopping season draws closer, interested parties are keeping a watchful eye on retail statistics as an important indicator of the overall economic health.

According to the National Retail Federation, October retail sales rose 0.3 percent from the prior month, which indicates a positive sign for consumer spending. Experts predict that retailers will see a boost in sales this holiday season.

Locally, interested parties hope to see increased holiday spending throughout the metropolitan area, especially at independently owned boutiques and retailers. A growing awareness of supporting local businesses continues to grow, thanks to programs like The 3/50 Project. And as downtown Kansas City continues to evolve and re-brand itself as a destination for residents and visitors alike, programs like Holiday Windows are designed to have a cultural and economic impact.

“Downtown is back as a holiday destination,” says Bill Dietrich, president of the Downtown Council.