Despite Pandemic, Wichita Market Experiences Significant Urban Development

By Tom Johnson, NAI Martens The overall Wichita economy is not out of the woods yet, but numerous factors point to a continuation of the recovery from both the Great Recession and the impact of the pandemic. Since the significant employment downturn during the second quarter of 2020, the Wichita metro area has markedly recovered but remains well below 2019 non-farm employment. The seesaw unemployment rate has now declined to just over 5 percent. All employment sectors are expected to increase …

June 24, 2021Industrial, Kansas, Market Reports, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports, Office, Retail

Kansas City Multifamily Market Poised for More Growth in 2021

By Gabe Tovar, John Duvall and Kyle Tucker of NorthMarq The Kansas City multifamily market has proved it is more than resilient in the face of adversity. Throughout 2020, the market ranked consistently in the top 10 of 30 markets tracked by Yardi. It logged higher occupancies and rent growth, all while welcoming a record level of new supply. That stellar performance is likely to attract even more capital to the market in 2021.[caption id="attachment_283115" align="alignright" …

February 18, 2021Kansas, Market Reports, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports, Missouri, Multifamily

Kansas City Industrial Market Slated to Continue Positive Momentum in 2021

By David Zimmer, SIOR, Newmark Zimmer The industrial real estate market in the metropolitan Kansas City area ended 2020 on a high note. 2021 will pick up right where 2020 ended, with no outward or visible signs of a slowdown. New industrial construction is visible in every geographic sector of the metro area, with upwards of 2.5 million square feet of buildings under construction. Without exception, all these are high cube, modern distribution-type facilities intended to capture the …

February 11, 2021Kansas, Market Reports, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports, Missouri

Building Momentum: How Public-Private Partnership Revitalized Downtown Topeka, Kansas

The city of Topeka has built significant momentum in the five years since its downtown revitalization. Capital investment and strategic planning at the city’s center had a reverberating effect across town, from the expansion of vocational-technical training to the growth of Kanza Fire Commerce Park. Public-private partnership The year 2015 was pivotal with a $9.4 million public-private investment in infrastructure and amenities along Kansas Avenue, the main downtown thoroughfare. The city …

May 21, 2020Kansas, Market Reports, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports, Mixed-Use

Wichita’s Downtown Revitalization Serves as Catalyst for New Projects

Wichita has been experiencing a strong downtown revitalization that has brought construction of new and redeveloped office, retail and mixed-use projects throughout its urban core over the past few years. Two years ago, companies began relocating downtown as shifting workplace demographics incorporated close proximity, “live, work, play” amenities in order to grow their businesses as well as attract and retain talent. Today’s businesses are seeking modern Class A finishes within …

May 7, 2020Kansas, Market Reports, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports, Mixed-Use

Increased Development Brings New Life to Wichita’s Core

Like many U.S. cities, Wichita’s downtown has experienced an unprecedented revitalization in recent years, with new development and the reimagining of older structures. Growth in the core is not slowing anytime soon if current projects under construction or on the drawing board are any indication. A number of projects, revolving around a new baseball stadium, are poised to inject new life into the historic Delano District. Plans for a new performing arts center are under discussion, and …

May 30, 2019Kansas, Market Reports, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports, Mixed-Use

Momentum Grows in Topeka Via Holistic Economic Development Plan

A renaissance is underway in Topeka, Kansas, with undeniable momentum as new commercial, industrial and residential developments emerge citywide. The year 2015 was pivotal with a $9.4 million public-private investment in infrastructure and amenities along Kansas Avenue downtown. Local investors have purchased more than 25 buildings on the avenue for gradual restoration into thriving businesses like Iron Rail Brewing, The Pennant, Cyrus Hotel and Kansas Avenue Lofts.[caption …

May 23, 2019Kansas, Market Reports, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports, Mixed-Use

Mixed-Use Makes its Mark on Kansas City Neighborhoods

Many of us remember a time when a great new job was measured primarily by the paycheck and the size of the office. How times have changed. And nothing illustrates that better than the favor of mixed-use developments.As the workforce demographic has evolved, so have the amenities that attract top talent. Smart companies know that creating an appealing environment for the best candidates means access to food options, walking distance to shopping and retail choices, and close proximity to …

January 24, 2019Kansas, Market Reports, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports, Mixed-Use

Johnson County, Kansas: A Midwest Hub for Industry and Innovation

Once referred to by developers as a “well-kept secret,” the Kansas City metro area is quickly developing a global reputation for skilled workforce, strong infrastructure, affordable housing and competitive overhead costs like transportation and utilities. “Kansas City is a region rising. We are dispelling the notion that Kansas City is a well-kept secret,” says Tim Cowden, president and CEO of Kansas City Area Development Council. “There is growing recognition among site locators …

January 17, 2019Industrial, Kansas, Market Reports, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports

Office Sharing Is on the Rise in Overland Park, Kansas

For those of you not familiar with Overland Park, Kansas, and its progressive office market, below are a few key points to help illustrate the relative size and economic strength of one of Kansas City’s most dynamic suburbs.• Incorporated in 1960, Overland Park is the second-most populous city in Kansas.• As of 2017, the unemployment rate was 3.1 percent.• It contains 17 percent +/- of metro Kansas City’s total office inventory.• $69,888 per capita income in …

January 10, 2019Kansas, Market Reports, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports, Office