Port KC Progress
December 2017
Farewell from Port KC President & CEO, Michael Collins
For nearly seven years, I have been blessed with the opportunity to work as President & CEO of Port KC.  Over the years, I have worked with some of the best people here at Port KC moving our mission and strategies forward to accomplish our goals:
In The News
Connect with Port KC

Connect with Berkley Riverfront

  • A distinctive and much-desired Berkley Riverfront development and destination for all of Kansas City
  • A reconnection in Kansas City to waterborne transportation which moves freight globally today
  • A development finance practice which has worked on many of the most exciting development projects from multifamily, office and industrial development.
All of the work and success generated over the past few years is solely because of a vision driven by the Board of Commissioners.  I was honored to have had three tremendous leaders as chair of Port KC's Board of Commissioners.  I thank former chairwoman Joanne Collins, for her ability to set the right tone as to who we were about to become and what Port KC had to offer as a transportation and economic development organization.
 
I would like to thank former Chairman George Wolf's leadership focused on delivering results and completing what we stated we would deliver. 

Port KC is entering its next stage of opportunity and growth, and it is very fitting that we have our current Chairman, Dana Gibson, to continue to lead our vision as we navigate to even larger goals and development delivery.  Chairman Gibson's leadership has always and will always be one of resolute calm and distinction in the quality of our development and project delivery. 

The current and former Board of Commissioners from 2011 to present all played a central role as to where Port KC is today and where we will be in the future. 
 
The Port KC team is one of the best teams I have had the opportunity to work with over the years.  Zoraya, Mark, Joe Perry, Richard, Marissa, Jolene, Andrea, Matt, Mariah, James, Joe Lohman, Bill and Shane, I appreciate everything you have and will continue to do with Port KC.  I can honestly state that we were a true team all the way.  I appreciate your hard work, determination, and collaboration over the years as we originally set out on this journey.  I will continue to be amazed in all you will create and develop in the future.
 
To the partners who have helped us tremendously along the way, I cannot thank you enough for the relationships built and dedicated excellence in order to help us achieve our goals.  You all have stayed with us for the long-haul, and we have continued to be so thankful for your partnership over the years.
 
In parting, Port KC has achieved great success, and it is because of each and every one whom we call partners, tenants, stakeholders and customers; I will always be in your gratitude for embracing Port KC.  I look forward to seeing what is on the horizon for Port KC and its partners...as I look from afar.
 
Signing off,
 
Michael 

Union | Berkley Riverfront groundbreaking on November 29, 2016
Port KC applies for federal grant to expand KC Streetcar

Port KC and partners Kansas City Streetcar and Ride KC are seeking a federal grant to help fund the proposed expansion of the Kansas City Streetcar to the riverfront.
 
The Kansas City: Connecting Our Riverfront for Everyone (KC●CORE) project will extend the mobility and economic development benefits of the Kansas City Streetcar to a long dormant area near downtown - catalyzing economic development and job creation. But the project is much more than a streetcar extension. KC●CORE includes an extension of multi-modal amenities to the Kansas City Riverfront (Berkley Riverfront) with the construction of a new multi-use trail alongside the expanded streetcar alignment that will improve connectivity and safety. This $32 million innovative public-private partnership is a key part of the project's strong funding strategy. Lastly, the KC●CORE project builds upon and enhances previous USDOT TIGER investments made in the Kansas City region.
 
For more information, please click here.
Major equipment and service provider grows at Richards-Gebaur Commerce Park

Richards-Gebaur Commerce Park added a prominent tenant this spring. Van Keppel is a leading provider of equipment and services for the construction, aggregate, quarry supply and safety, material handling, trench safety, and used parts industries in the Midwest.
 
"Port KC is pleased that Van Keppel chose Richards-Gebaur Commerce Park as part of its expansion," said Zoraya Rowlands, Vice President of Operations, "It is exciting to provide the space to grow for such a prestigious company as it continues to invest in Kansas City and the Midwest."
 
Van Keppel chose Richards-Gebaur based on its highway access, proximity to its headquarters and the opportunity for growth within the commerce park. The company leased a half hangar in May 2017 and is now leasing the full hangar, totaling approximately 73,000 square feet. The Richards-Gebaur location will provide used parts and equipment storage, a machine shop, and space for full tear-down and rebuild of large equipment.
 
Van Keppel was founded in Missouri in 1926 and has since expanded to 16 locations in nine states. It is headquartered in Kansas City, MO. For more information, please visit Van Keppel's website.

Year in Review: Waterway transportation in Kansas City region
The Missouri River had a banner year for waterway transport. Kansas City and the surrounding region saw increased traffic on the river. Inbound barge loads numbered 46. Outbound barge loads numbered 160, which is 62% more than 2016 totals. The total tonnage for this region was 285,000 , the equivalent of 13,000 truckloads.
In the immediate region, freight moved inbound to Kansas City, MO, and Omaha, NE. Outbound cargoes moved from Nebraska City, NE; Wolcott, KS; and Lexington, MO. Various commodities were transported:
  • Grain
  • Fertilizer
  • Mill Scale
  • Asphalt
  • Cement
  • Structural steel
Navigation continues to see advantageous conditions. The reservoirs that supply water to the Missouri River for authorized purposes have had adequate runoff for the last decade. The channelization of the Missouri River has expanded the minimum channel depth to nine feet and the minimum width to 300 feet. In 2016 and 2017, favorable water levels resulted in an above minimum channel. This allowed deeper drafts, which is the depth of the barge, and increased tonnage per barge.
 
Freight movement predictions for 2018 are positive with an estimated tonnage of over 300,000 tons. Long range projections indicate that the Missouri River Basin will receive above average runoff for 2018, conducive to navigation. Port KC expects to see additional commodities of shredded scrap and road salt. 
Properties available for lease at Richards-Gebaur

At Richards-Gebaur Commerce Park, tenants enjoy easy access to major highways and interstates including I-49,  29, 35, 70, 435 and 635.  Additionally, these properties benefit from inclusion in a Foreign-Trade Zone and Class I freight rail service from Kansas City Southern.

One such property, located at  15430 Andrews Rd. , is available for lease and includes the following:
  • 6,345 sf office/classroom space available 
  • Ample parking
  • Space is divisible- individual suites ranging from 100 sq ft to nearly 3,000 sq ft
  • Air conditioned
  • Fully built out office space
For more information and a list of all properties available for lease at Richards-Gebaur, please  click here. For any inquiries, please contact Mark Long, SIOR, CCIM, LEED AP, at  mlong@ngzimmer.com or call 816-512-1011.
About
Port KC's mission is to grow the economy of Kansas City's port district through transportation, global commerce and development.


Port KC
300 Wyandotte, Suite 100
Kansas City, Missouri 64105
816-559-3750