Kansas City's regional growth is increasingly described with words such as "new era" and "record setting." Even allowing for economic development embellishment, the depth and breadth of projects are impressive.

A good place to start is in downtown Kansas City where $3.5 billion in projects are under way. This work has revived the urban core, and is sending strong currents throughout the metropolitan area.

One of the most dramatic projects, the new H&R Block Inc. world headquarters, began construction late in 2004 at 13th and Main Streets. This $138 million, 500,000 s.f. project is scheduled for completion in late 2006. Tentative plans call for the headquarters to add a second, 250,000 s.f. office building in 2013.

H&R Block is one anchor of a seven-block, $400 million Kansas City Live! entertainment district being developed by the Cordish Co. The first project is a 15-story, 200-unit residential tower, with the final product to feature open storefronts, broad brick paved sidewalks, extensive landscaping, fountains and parks.

Another major anchor for Kansas City Live! will be the $250 million Sprint Center arena at 14th and Grand. The Anschutz Entertainment Group of Los Angeles, one of the nation's leading sports facility developers, has pledged $50 million and will manage the facility for 35 years. The facility is scheduled for completion in 2007.

The $140 million expansion and renovation of H. Roe Bartle Hall is set for completion in 2007. This work includes a new ballroom, new outdoor plaza, and exterior and technological improvements. Expected to open in 2007, the ballroom will contain 40,000 s.f. of multipurpose space and will be built immediately north of the separately proposed performing arts center. The ballroom will accommodate 5,700 people.

(left) The Plaza Colonnade, home to the law firm of Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin. (right) HCA Midwest plans to replace two aging facilities with a new $250 million hospital.

Fundraising continues on the $304 million Performing Arts Center that will feature a 2,200-seat opera/ballet theater, 1,350-seat concert hall, 500-seat theater and a 500-seat banquet facility south of Bartle Hall. The facility's opening is planned for 2008.

The Kansas City Ballet's new center for dance and creativity at 17th and Wyandotte is scheduled to cost $16 million. The facility will provide the ballet with a permanent home.

More Than Glitz Though less exciting, the Internal Revenue Service effort to retrofit the former main post office building is one of the biggest downtown projects. The $381 million project will create a 1.14 million s.f. office complex, parking garages with 1,900 spaces, a 25,000 s.f. daycare center, a pedestrian overpass to the north, plus renovation of existing buildings. The work will consolidate more than 4,000 IRS employees to this area.

Construction cranes are also up at the nearly $200 million, 600,000 s.f. Federal Reserve Bank at 29th and Main. This 12-story structure is expected to be complete in 2007 and will house more than 1,100 workers.

Nearby, the new headquarters for Shook Hardy & Bacon has been established in a 624,000 s.f., $25 million building that includes 24 stories in the southeast section of Crown Center.

The $26 million renovation of the Liberty Memorial is now in its second phase, which includes the unique underground museum. The updated facility is scheduled to open for summer, 2006.

Other downtown projects include the $48 million Commerce Bank Trust Building renovation at 922 Walnut Street and the $44 million renovation of the President Hotel at 1329 Baltimore Avenue.

In the River Market, the HOK architectural firm has started its 100,000 s.f. headquarters on 4th Street, with an estimated cost of $30 million.

Several renovations are underway in the complex of government buildings near 11th and Locust. The Jackson County Courthouse, the Kansas City Police Headquarters and the Police Communications Center are being renovated or enlarged. Combined with two projects at city hall, the work totals $70 million. To the south, a $200 million renovation continues on the Bolling Federal Building. All should be complete by 2006.

(left) KCI began a $258 million terminal renovation in 2001—it is to be completed in 2006. (right) Shoal Creek, one of the region’s most beautiful and expansive residential developments.

The 18th and Vine District redevelopment plans to break ground soon on three projects. The work will include 78 apartments and 18,900 square feet of commercial space to be completed in early 2006. St. Louis-based McCormack Baron Salazar is developing the $15.5-million project.

A $4.5 million senior citizen apartment building is also being planned. The three-story, 60-unit building is to be located on the west side of Vine between 23rd and 24th streets. Progress was recently reported on renovation of the historic Paseo YMCA at 18th and Paseo to become an adjunct of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

A third and final phase of the Jazz District is expected to add more commercial development along Vine Street, including a grocery story and other neighborhood retail.

Near the Plaza, the 350,000 s.f. Plaza Colonnade nears completion in late 2004. Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin will occupy nearly half of this new building. The $200 million Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art expansion is scheduled for completion by 2006.

Healthy Expansion Several area hospitals are in the midst of multimillion-dollar projects.

North of the river, St. Luke's Northland Hospital, Liberty Hospital and North Kansas City Hospital have either completed or recently started major renovation ventures. Children's Mercy recently opened a 10,000 s.f. satellite facility south of Metro North Shopping Center.

One of the largest endeavors is at North Kansas City Hospital where a five-year, $135 million expansion project is adding 250,000 square feet to the existing campus.

Liberty Hospital is completing construction of a new medical office building near the main hospital. The four-story, 84,000 s.f. building and 525-space attached parking garage will cost approximately $25 million to construct.