Missouri governor to stop in KC today for announcement on former Bannister federal complex

By Dennis Boone

The governor will stop in Kansas City this afternoon for the release of an announcement related to the redevelopment of the former Bannister federal complex in south Kansas City, a site that has been the focus of several large-scale development efforts over the past year.

Gov. Mike Parson is scheduled to appear in Kansas City this afternoon for what’s being billed as a major announcement related to the redevelopment of the former Bannister federal complex in south Kansas City.

Details of his agenda weren’t released, but the site has been the focus of several large-scale development efforts over the past year. Among those are the rehabilitation of the large complex that formerly housed the National Nuclear Security Administration operations here, along with other federal offices, including the General Services Administration, the Department of Agriculture and weather-service and military offices.

Gov. Parson’s visit is in connection with a 227-acre redevelopment under the wing of Bannister Transformation & Development, a partnership that acquired the property in November 2017. Work on that transfer involved the state, the NNSA and GSA, the Environmental Protection Agency and private investors.

In addition, NorthPoint Development is moving forward with its adjacent Blue River Commerce Center, a $135 million project that will entail 2.6 million square feet of construction. That project calls for seven buildings of between 241,000 and 438,000 square feet, and parking for 1,730 vehicles. Officials from the developer expect the site, rezoned from manufacturing to urban development status, will lead to creation of at least 1,500 new jobs in warehousing, distribution and logistics.