“Power Tower” is the name of the recently announced development tri-venture behind Strata. Copaken Brooks, Jury, and HR Block make up the “Power Tower” group.chriss752 wrote:ldai_phs wrote:Quote from Mr. Copaken in regards to leasing the proposed 25 floor spec. Strata Tower.DogtownBnR wrote:^What is driving the demand for additional office buildings in KC?
I’ve also been hearing rumors of an unannounced 30 floor tower.Copaken acknowledged the project was speculative, but said Power Tower is in discussions with three potential tenants for up to 45 percent of the space; another potential user who could take half the space, and another potential user who could occupy the entire building.
I can’t help but think that Jon Copaken is bullshitting everyone. The “Power Tower” - that twisty one, has been proposed for years and we have heard nothing for a while except for an extension on the development agreement. That main street Tower, not Strata, is pie in the sky. At this point, Strata has a better chance of getting done.
So they renamed it?ldai_phs wrote:Power Tower is Stratachriss752 wrote:I can’t help but think that Jon Copaken is bullshitting everyone. The “Power Tower” - that twisty one, has been proposed for years and we have heard nothing for a while except for an extension on the development agreement. That main street Tower, not Strata, is pie in the sky. At this point, Strata has a better chance of getting done.
If we waited for money to do all that we'd have no light rail system today. I'm not going to argue about MetroLink either, it's definitely not perfect (and a KC style modern streetcar would complement it well), but that's not the point of this thread. The two systems are so vastly different, to me it really doesn't make sense to compare them. MetroLink is nearly a heavy-rail system, I'd say it's closer to a cross between an RTD and Metra type system (to use two examples) than what KC has. Yes, the KC Streetcar looks great, people love it, it's sleek and modern, but up to this point, I'm not ready to call it a full blown transit system. It's two miles long lol, doesn't connect to the airport, the dense urban neighborhoods to the East or South (yet), any of the city's universities, hospitals, or sports stadiums (Sprint Center excluded), nor does it extend into any suburban areas (and likely won't).BellaVilla wrote:There are no "transit dependent" people living under the grand blvd bridge, in the bowels of the BJC campus, or in the sunken out-of-sight union station stop. And nearly the entire red line after the Delmar stop goes through nothing but industrial parks, golf courses and cemeteries where the stops have parking lots because people don't walk to those stops.The Mayor wrote: ^ Many of those "undesirable" parts of town are where the most transit dependent people are to, that's important to remember. All KC has is two miles down Main Street, compared to 46 miles in STL. I'm still waiting for a system that can whisk me from the Plaza to the airport, which will never happen either. KC has a long, long way to go before it could even be considered remotely transit friendly, especially with suburban voters constantly killing city-wide transit referendums. The streetcar is great if you're one of the 20 or 30 thousand people that live downtown, but for the other 450,000 of us that don't live down there, we're still waiting.
a CWE stop ought to be a FP and KH or FP and Euclid. A Grand Center Stop ought to be around Lindell and Grand or at lease FP and Grand. Clayton should ahve an underground stop a central and hanley, not way off to the east and south like we have. Riders use transit if its convenient and goes where they want to be. We put our rail system where it was convenient for planners, not riders.
I live in KC, since 2007 actually. I'm not knocking the streetcar, it's a wonderful addition and a model for any city looking to build a streetcar. Most importantly, it works. You can't say that for a lot of other modern streetcars like DC, Cincy, and Atlanta. I was even one of the 50 people that petitioned the State of Missouri to extend the TDD to Plaza/UMKC area for the eventual expansion, and have voted in every election for it. But since I've lived here, I've seen nearly a dozen failed city-wide transit tax proposals (one passed years ago but was declared invalid by the City Council because there was nowhere near enough funding laid out for it, one of Clay Chastain's dozens of harebrained ideas). I've seen a proposal for a large streetcar expansion South of the River (where transit has most of it's support in this town) get crushed at the ballot box. Opponents on the East Side went so far to compare the tax increase to Jim Crow. The last citywide transit question to pass in KC was to BLOCK all construction of any new mass transit without a citywide vote. Basically a backdoor way to kill the streetcar because the backers knew that citywide tax increases for transit almost universally fail in this town. Fortunately the City Council also invalidated that ordinance.
The evidence on the ground over here doesn't lend itself to this city having a light rail that goes "where people are/where they want go." At least not for us lowly folks that live south of Pershing.
Port KC Riverfront Holdings - Development Update
2 more deals under contract. Union + 2 new projects will make up a combined 25% of the 5.1 million SF of developable space. 1 of the new projects will be similar to Union. One will be a “lot taller”.
Target is a 15 year - 2 economic cycle buildout.
Looking at Portland South Waterfront and Denver Rail Yards for inspiration.
Streetcar and Bike/Ped connections expected to drive development in the area similar to Portland South Water Front.
30% Riverfront Streetcar Extension and Pedestrian Bridge design package has been completed.
“We try to add 1 activity center a year and consistently build density with each new project” - Joe Perry
Most important update:
80%+ of Union residents own a dog.
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2 more deals under contract. Union + 2 new projects will make up a combined 25% of the 5.1 million SF of developable space. 1 of the new projects will be similar to Union. One will be a “lot taller”.
Target is a 15 year - 2 economic cycle buildout.
Looking at Portland South Waterfront and Denver Rail Yards for inspiration.
Streetcar and Bike/Ped connections expected to drive development in the area similar to Portland South Water Front.
30% Riverfront Streetcar Extension and Pedestrian Bridge design package has been completed.
“We try to add 1 activity center a year and consistently build density with each new project” - Joe Perry
Most important update:
80%+ of Union residents own a dog.
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City wide rail never did do well in KC. That’s why the areas that always supported rail are building their own TDD streetcar lines now. Once UMKC comes online in the 2020s, I think you’ll see NKC(who approved rail) and the East Side be willing and able to put up funding for lines. Would be interesting to hear your thoughts on this.The Mayor wrote:If we waited for money to do all that we'd have no light rail system today. I'm not going to argue about MetroLink either, it's definitely not perfect (and a KC style modern streetcar would complement it well), but that's not the point of this thread. The two systems are so vastly different, to me it really doesn't make sense to compare them. MetroLink is nearly a heavy-rail system, I'd say it's closer to a cross between an RTD and Metra type system (to use two examples) than what KC has. Yes, the KC Streetcar looks great, people love it, it's sleek and modern, but up to this point, I'm not ready to call it a full blown transit system. It's two miles long lol, doesn't connect to the airport, the dense urban neighborhoods to the East or South (yet), any of the city's universities, hospitals, or sports stadiums (Sprint Center excluded), nor does it extend into any suburban areas (and likely won't).BellaVilla wrote:There are no "transit dependent" people living under the grand blvd bridge, in the bowels of the BJC campus, or in the sunken out-of-sight union station stop. And nearly the entire red line after the Delmar stop goes through nothing but industrial parks, golf courses and cemeteries where the stops have parking lots because people don't walk to those stops.The Mayor wrote: ^ Many of those "undesirable" parts of town are where the most transit dependent people are to, that's important to remember. All KC has is two miles down Main Street, compared to 46 miles in STL. I'm still waiting for a system that can whisk me from the Plaza to the airport, which will never happen either. KC has a long, long way to go before it could even be considered remotely transit friendly, especially with suburban voters constantly killing city-wide transit referendums. The streetcar is great if you're one of the 20 or 30 thousand people that live downtown, but for the other 450,000 of us that don't live down there, we're still waiting.
a CWE stop ought to be a FP and KH or FP and Euclid. A Grand Center Stop ought to be around Lindell and Grand or at lease FP and Grand. Clayton should ahve an underground stop a central and hanley, not way off to the east and south like we have. Riders use transit if its convenient and goes where they want to be. We put our rail system where it was convenient for planners, not riders.
I live in KC, since 2007 actually. I'm not knocking the streetcar, it's a wonderful addition and a model for any city looking to build a streetcar. Most importantly, it works. You can't say that for a lot of other modern streetcars like DC, Cincy, and Atlanta. I was even one of the 50 people that petitioned the State of Missouri to extend the TDD to Plaza/UMKC area for the eventual expansion, and have voted in every election for it. But since I've lived here, I've seen nearly a dozen failed city-wide transit tax proposals (one passed years ago but was declared invalid by the City Council because there was nowhere near enough funding laid out for it, one of Clay Chastain's dozens of harebrained ideas). I've seen a proposal for a large streetcar expansion South of the River (where transit has most of it's support in this town) get crushed at the ballot box. Opponents on the East Side went so far to compare the tax increase to Jim Crow. The last citywide transit question to pass in KC was to BLOCK all construction of any new mass transit without a citywide vote. Basically a backdoor way to kill the streetcar because the backers knew that citywide tax increases for transit almost universally fail in this town. Fortunately the City Council also invalidated that ordinance.
The evidence on the ground over here doesn't lend itself to this city having a light rail that goes "where people are/where they want go." At least not for us lowly folks that live south of Pershing.
I don’t think KC developed in a way that will make Rail to KCI a priority within the next 30 years. Most of the activity centers and density are in the urban core where the future rail studies have been focused. IMHO. It’s better to focus rail in the core where it’s more likely to be used and built off of than the low density suburbs.
The streetcar is well on the way to extending past Pershing to UMKC. All local approvals are in place including both taxing and city intent to bond. The design team is nearing the 30% design package and the required environmental investigation work is underway.
Google’s “Project Shale”
Google is considering a 78 acre site in Northland KCMO. Initial investment of $600million for Data Center. Up to $25 Billion with future expansions. KC Star uploaded an article then killed it.
Looking like Port KC is involved.
Google is considering a 78 acre site in Northland KCMO. Initial investment of $600million for Data Center. Up to $25 Billion with future expansions. KC Star uploaded an article then killed it.
Looking like Port KC is involved.
I am always amazed by how few people it takes to run a data center (or at least the cost to manpower of it). 600 million dollars only 30 jobs. I guess the tech is expensive but it just always looks weird to me.ldai_phs wrote: Breaking: Kevin Collison is reporting that Google Considering a 78 acre site in Northland KCMO. Initial investment of $600million for Data Center. Up to $25 Billion with future expansions. KC Star uploaded an article then killed it.
Looking like Port KC is involved.
Per Jon Stevens (Port KC) Phase 1 would have a minimum of 30 Google Jobs as well as “significant” contractor employment.jshank83 wrote:I am always amazed by how few people it takes to run a data center (or at least the cost to manpower of it). 600 million dollars only 30 jobs. I guess the tech is expensive but it just always looks weird to me.ldai_phs wrote: Breaking: Kevin Collison is reporting that Google Considering a 78 acre site in Northland KCMO. Initial investment of $600million for Data Center. Up to $25 Billion with future expansions. KC Star uploaded an article then killed it.
Looking like Port KC is involved.
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I wonder if those "contractor" jobs are simply construction jobs. It will take a lot of skilled contractors to build a large data center, but I doubt they'll be permanent employees.ldai_phs wrote:Per Jon Stevens (Port KC) Phase 1 would have a minimum of 30 Google Jobs as well as “significant” contractor employment.jshank83 wrote:I am always amazed by how few people it takes to run a data center (or at least the cost to manpower of it). 600 million dollars only 30 jobs. I guess the tech is expensive but it just always looks weird to me.ldai_phs wrote: Breaking: Kevin Collison is reporting that Google Considering a 78 acre site in Northland KCMO. Initial investment of $600million for Data Center. Up to $25 Billion with future expansions. KC Star uploaded an article then killed it.
Looking like Port KC is involved.
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"Data centers also employ skilled construction workers,” said Jon Stephens, president and chief executive of Port KC."
https://www.kansascity.com/news/busines ... rylink=cpy
Good Point. I’m not really sure.The Mayor wrote:I wonder if those "contractor" jobs are simply construction jobs. It will take a lot of skilled contractors to build a large data center, but I doubt they'll be permanent employees.ldai_phs wrote:Per Jon Stevens (Port KC) Phase 1 would have a minimum of 30 Google Jobs as well as “significant” contractor employment.jshank83 wrote: I am always amazed by how few people it takes to run a data center (or at least the cost to manpower of it). 600 million dollars only 30 jobs. I guess the tech is expensive but it just always looks weird to me.
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"Data centers also employ skilled construction workers,” said Jon Stephens, president and chief executive of Port KC."
https://www.kansascity.com/news/busines ... rylink=cpy
“If Google moves forward with this data center project / campus it would have a MINIMUM of 30 full-time jobs in phase one. There would also be significant contract employment as well as construction/trade jobs. @portofkc
Huge overall benefit to @KCMO and Missouri.” - JS Twitter
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really? Have you seen all the constructio, huge projects and towers going up in STL?jstriebel wrote: I don't like being envious of KC, but it's hard not to be. Our city leaders should be embarrassed. But they're probably not.
PortKC Board endorsed the Project today. Groundbreaking expected later this year. Opening 2021.ldai_phs wrote:3rd Delaware Office Project. - $25 million; 5 floors; 64,000 SF
Per CityScene KC:
“He(Developer) is in discussions with two potential tenants, one from out-of-state that would employ 600 to 100 people.”
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ldai_phs wrote: Port KC Riverfront Holdings - Development Update
2 more deals under contract. Union + 2 new projects will make up a combined 25% of the 5.1 million SF of developable space. 1 of the new projects will be similar to Union. One will be a “lot taller”.
Target is a 15 year - 2 economic cycle buildout.
Looking at Portland South Waterfront and Denver Rail Yards for inspiration.
Streetcar and Bike/Ped connections expected to drive development in the area similar to Portland South Water Front.
30% Riverfront Streetcar Extension and Pedestrian Bridge design package has been completed.
“We try to add 1 activity center a year and consistently build density with each new project” - Joe Perry
Most important update:
80%+ of Union residents own a dog.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yeah I live here, there is no reason to be envious of this town...or a server farm with 30 or so jobs that's getting a 25 year property tax exemption.matguy70 wrote:really? Have you seen all the constructio, huge projects and towers going up in STL?jstriebel wrote: I don't like being envious of KC, but it's hard not to be. Our city leaders should be embarrassed. But they're probably not.
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I feel like this has become a KC vs STL thread. There are some things that make me a little envious of whats going on in KC but overall I feel STL is holding it’s own yes I do know that there are things STL could do better at however no place is perfect. I’ll take 100 union station Benson Bill Bayer NA HQ NGA Cortex to name a few. I feel if STL wanted a street car we’d be working towards that but that’s where the eventual metro link expansion comes in also the future phases of BPV. Anyways kudos to KC they are doing a awesome job and hope it continues.
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Oops Benson Hill my gaffe 
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^ Completely agree. And my comment wasn't so much related to St. Louis specifically either. There is plenty to be excited about in STL but the region is still basically a hot mess lol.
The urban building boom is happening everywhere. St. Louis, KC, Denver, OKC, the Twin Cities, and on and on. Nothing to be really envious about in my opinion...except maybe the Kauffman Center
The urban building boom is happening everywhere. St. Louis, KC, Denver, OKC, the Twin Cities, and on and on. Nothing to be really envious about in my opinion...except maybe the Kauffman Center
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Seems logical that Google chose to put a data center in KC. They chose KC as a Google Fiber launch city. Good for them. As long as it is in Missouri, it benefits all of us, just like various wins in St. Louis benefit KC and the rest of Missouri. I think if Square grows it’s presence here and eventually (HOPEFULLY) Twitter, we’ll get our little self-esteem boost. I think Cortex is light years ahead of many cities including KC. We’ll be fine folks!
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DogtownBnR wrote: Seems logical that Google chose to put a data center in KC. They chose KC as a Google Fiber launch city. Good for them. As long as it is in Missouri, it benefits all of us, just like various wins in St. Louis benefit KC and the rest of Missouri. I think if Square grows it’s presence here and eventually (HOPEFULLY) Twitter, we’ll get our little self-esteem boost. I think Cortex is light years ahead of many cities including KC. We’ll be fine folks!
Without question. One of the top urban tech districts nationwide, at least according to the Brookings Institution. And Square still has another 300 to hire in STL if recent reporting is any indication, I think their plans are for 800 in St. Louis eventually and they're at about 500 right now.DogtownBnR wrote: I think Cortex is light years ahead of many cities including KC.
KC is trying to build an innovation district (or will be, not sure how deep into the effort they are yet) and it sounds like that developer considers Cortex an inspiration. Hopefully it'll get off the ground soon, but I'm not sure how big it can get without an anchor like BJC or Washington University. UMKC is a great school, but it's a state school that doesn't have the cash to throw around like a WashU does with their $7.5 billion endowment.
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Cortex is more of a centralized campus style incubator space, a succesful format. KC's incubator district is primarily much of Crossroads district downtown, also a sucessful format. There are several co-working spaces and a dozen incubator support orgs like ThinkKC, Plexpod and others, tied together with free streetcar.
The end result is that KC metro has been taking off a bit more with Sci/Tech Services though a decline of Telcom jobs (due to Sprint decline). There are about 100K sci/tech services jobs in KC metro now compared to about 90K in STL.
Select State/Metros/Pro Biz Services/Sci/Tech Services...
https://data.bls.gov/PDQWeb/sm
The end result is that KC metro has been taking off a bit more with Sci/Tech Services though a decline of Telcom jobs (due to Sprint decline). There are about 100K sci/tech services jobs in KC metro now compared to about 90K in STL.
Select State/Metros/Pro Biz Services/Sci/Tech Services...
https://data.bls.gov/PDQWeb/sm
Just like Amazon warehouses, is likely at some point most every city will have a Google data center in the future.DogtownBnR wrote: Seems logical that Google chose to put a data center in KC. They chose KC as a Google Fiber launch city. Good for them. As long as it is in Missouri, it benefits all of us, just like various wins in St. Louis benefit KC and the rest of Missouri. I think if Square grows it’s presence here and eventually (HOPEFULLY) Twitter, we’ll get our little self-esteem boost. I think Cortex is light years ahead of many cities including KC. We’ll be fine folks!
I disagree with this comparison. You're right in that there are several incubators in Cortex, but it also has lots of large established companies that employ folks there like Microsoft, Boeing, Square (for now), BJC, and DuPont just to name a few. T-Rex in downtown St. Louis is another incubator with dozens of companies and the 39 North Ag Tech District in Creve Coeur is yet another one.hobo digitale wrote: Cortex is more of a centralized campus style incubator space, a succesful format. KC's incubator district is primarily much of Crossroads district downtown, also a sucessful format.
Nothing against the Crossroads but it doesn't exactly scream tech district to me, more arts district if anything. I've been here for 12 years and have never heard anyone refer to the Crossroads as an innovation/tech district.
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Yeah, like I said it's different. Xroads galleries are being pushed out with higher rent with more co-working space and creative companies. First Fridays it more of a creative street party now, not so much about the galleries anymore.
Westport also has its share with Plexpod and Monarch with Plexpod expanding across the street (old Westport High School, currently converted Middle School). WeWork is in Xroads and announced expansion downtown. Plexpod also expanding into River Market. I've worked in Plexpod Xorads and Westport (corporate IT). They also attract large corporations that open a downtown annex but that's not really incubating. Kaufman Foundation heavily involved with these spaces and startups as well as other incubator supporters. From a sci/tech services job count growth perspective, KC is doing very well compared to rest of Midtwest per the BLS stats in my other post.
Westport also has its share with Plexpod and Monarch with Plexpod expanding across the street (old Westport High School, currently converted Middle School). WeWork is in Xroads and announced expansion downtown. Plexpod also expanding into River Market. I've worked in Plexpod Xorads and Westport (corporate IT). They also attract large corporations that open a downtown annex but that's not really incubating. Kaufman Foundation heavily involved with these spaces and startups as well as other incubator supporters. From a sci/tech services job count growth perspective, KC is doing very well compared to rest of Midtwest per the BLS stats in my other post.
Posted by STL poster first.. "I think Cortex is light years ahead of many cities including KC." Just pointing out KC has its own flavor, executed differently.