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

Led by Aerospace, Wichita’s Industrial Market Shows No Signs of Slowing Down

The industrial sector remains the prime beneficiary of the numerous technological shifts occurring throughout the economy. E-commerce continues to fuel demand for distribution and warehouse space in the national industrial sector. The Wichita market remains focused on the aerospace cluster, advanced manufacturing and the growing advanced materials sector to sustain and grow the industrial segment.[caption id="attachment_202256" align="alignright" width="100"] Glenn Cox, NAI …

May 24, 2018Industrial, Kansas, Market Reports, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports

National Retail Tenants Enter, Expand Into Kansas City Market

The greater Kansas City area retail market remains solid as a rock, despite CoStar Group’s mid-year report showing a slight decline in the average asking rental rate and a slight increase in vacancy. The retail vacancy rate in the second quarter of 2017 stood at 5.7 percent, up slightly from the previous quarter’s 5.5 percent. The average asking rental rate for retail is $13.05 per square foot, down from $13.07 in the previous quarter.Local, regional and national restaurant chains …

September 21, 2017Kansas, Market Reports, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports, Missouri, Retail

Myriad Factors Help Explain Why Kansas City Office Market Has Not Reached Full Altitude

The Kansas City office market is poised for increasing rental rates and decreasing vacancy rates for the remainder of 2017 and into 2018. Kansas City has realized its 14th consecutive quarter of increased rental rates (through March 2017), while vacancy has decreased in the overall metro area due to lack of new office construction and a steady pace of absorption.Several factors contribute to the complexity of why the market is good but not great, steady but not dynamic, with no one factor …

September 14, 2017Kansas, Market Reports, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports, Missouri, Office