March 2017


Positive outlook for upcoming navigation season
More DCGF loans approved for minority contractors
RiverWorks Discovery exhibit educates on America's rivers

Upcoming Events
In the News

April 22, 2017

Positive outlook for upcoming barge season

Inland river transportation has increased over the past year and continues to look  promising for the upcoming season. Navigation stakeholders including the United States Army Core of Engineers (USACE) and the US Coast Guard (USCG) held their annual mee ting in Kan sas City on February 7th and 8th. The event was attended by 103 stakeholders, the largest attendance in several years. The meeting covered an annual review of commerce moving on the Missouri River, current navigation conditions and reservoir levels. Projections are positive for 2017 with an expected moderate increase in river traffic. Especially noteworthy is the increasing number of private terminals rehabilitating river related infrastructure in order to take advantage of gro wing barge volumes.

For Kans as City, there was a reported 75% increase in river traffic and significant commerce in the area. There are now four barge lines that offer a "direct bill of lading" to Kansas City, which is when the same vessel both picks up the cargo and ultimately delivers it to its final destination. Three years ago, there were none. This year, the long range weather forecast predicts sufficient rain to support navigation releases through November.
Port KC grants two additional DCGF loans

Port KC is proud to approve two more loans to minority-owned contractors through the Diversified Contractors Growth Fund (DCGF).  Port KC and AltCap, a community development financial institution (CDFI) located in Kansas City, Mo., created the DCGF through a unique partnership. The DCGF allows Port KC to provide financial assistance as well as business education and training resources to contractors that are certified minority- or women-owned enterprises (MBE/WBE), as well as disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE) and veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB).

MBE-DBE Excavating and Grading, LLC will utilize funds from its loan to construct a wetland detention basin as part of an overflow control program for water retention in Kansas City, Mo.  MBE-DBE Excavating and Grading, LLC is an MBE certified company that performs construction and excavating work for commercial clients.  
Jonathan Dickens of MBE-DBE Excavating and Grading LLC
The second loan is with Crenshaw Construction LLC, one of the subcontractors working on the development of a Holiday Inn Express in downtown Kansas City.  Crenshaw Construction specializes in concrete flat work such as sidewalks, curbs, slabs, footings, paving and retaining walls.

The DCGF was launched last year and to date has provided seven loans to MBE contractors totaling $276,000. Port KC has direct involvement with the four loans for contractors located in Kansas City, Mo. Port KC is excited to continue its partnership with AltCap to assist MBE/WBE/DBE/VOSB contractors grow in the Kansas City area by providing them increased access to capital.

Please visit this link for general information or contact Zoraya Rowlands at 816-559-3722 or by email at  zrowlands@portkc.com. 
Hands-on exhibit brings America's rivers to life

Try your hand at being a barge captain and at the same time, learn all about America's inland rivers from the comfort of the Arabia Steamboat Museum. Port KC is proud to sponsor a traveling exhibit called RiverWorks Discovery. This educational exhibit features informative panels, interactive videos and hands-on activities with a focus on river commerce, culture and conservation.
 
Entrance to the RiverWorks Discovery exhibit comes with the price of general admission. It is open to the public now through May. Click this link for hours and rates at the Arabia Steamboat Museum. 
Progress underway at Union | Berkley Riverfront Park
Construction began December 2016 on Union | Berkley Riverfront Park, a mixed-use development just north of Downtown Kansas City on the Berkley Riverfront. The project will include 410 luxury apartments, 12,400 square feet of commercial space, 400 structured-garage spaces and various site amenities.

Building pads have been completed, and work has begun on foundations for the west building and parking garage. Preparations for utility connections are also being made.  Framing will begin shortly. The entire project should be complete summer 2018.
Star Wars fans will unite to combat cystic fibrosis    

On May 6th, Star Wars fans will band together in the battle against cystic fibrosis at Berkley Riverfront Park. Battle4KC combines the annual Star Wars celebration "May the 4th Be With You" and Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month for a day of fun and the opportunity to support a good cause.  Guinness Book of World Records will officiate as attendees raise their lightsabers in an epic "Life Saver" battle in an attempt to set the world record for largest lightsaber battle. 
 
Benefits from the event go to the Children's Mercy Cystic Fibrosis Endocrine Clinic, renowned nationwide for its work. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that causes major damage to the lungs and other organs. This terminal illness currently has no known cure, though recent progress has extended the average life expectancy. 
Tickets are on sale and start at $10, which includes a custom-made lightsaber. Varying levels of event sponsorship are also available.  Port KC is proud to sponsor this event with Friends of the River.

Please follow this link for more information. Click here to buy tickets.
Photo credit: MoDOT
Interchange improvements to enhance transportation

MoDOT is developing improvements that will help traffic flow and access to a major interchange just east of Richards-Gebaur Commerce Park. Construction is concentrated at and around the Interstate 49 and 155th Street interchange. Demolition on the bridge over I-49 and major construction began February 10th. MoDOT will replace the bridge with a diverging diamond interchange.  A roundabout will lead into the diamond, which will increase traffic flow while still allowing direct routes to city roads. 

Construction is anticipated to end by December 2017. Models show the planned design will aid existing and future traffic flow, which will also provide better access to Richards-Gebaur.

Please click this link for more information. 
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 15360 Hangar Road., is available for lease and includes the following:
  • 73,261 sf industrial property available / divisible to 35,000 sf
  • 30' + clear height
  • Concrete parking area included (approx. 50,000+)
  • Oversized grade level access door
  • Lease rate $2.00/sf
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

P ort KC's mission is to foster the economic vitality of Kansas City, Mo., through transportation, trade, commerce and development.
300 Wyandotte, Suite 100 | Kansas City, MO 64105 | 816-559-3750