www.buildingofamerica.com volume 3 Top Projects 2007-2010 Edition

Central Plains EditionT E A M M EM B ER S

R E A L E S T A T E &C O N S T R U C T I O N R E V I E W

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It is an unprecedented era in the design and construction industry. All across the country, impor-tant projects continue to emerge despite economic hardship. Building owners and developers, architects, construction managers, and general contractors are taking greater pride and care in their projects than ever before. Gone are the days of unnecessary spending. Value, efficiency, durability and flexibility are the new goals of nearly every design plan.

From new healthcare and educational facilities to sustainable buildings and historic restorations, this era is characterized by projects that have significant meaning to our communities and our lives. We at Construction Communications have the pleasure and great responsibility of sharing these projects with you.

Our partnerships with several industry-related associations inspire us with hope for our present and our future. Take a moment to read about Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), the Construction Owners Association of America (COAA), CoreNet Global and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in the pages ahead. These associations can provide you with valuable information that may help you in your future construction endeavors.

In this edition, you will read about a variety of unique and innovative projects in Central Plains, including the Boys and Girls Club of South Central Kansas, Inc. Located in Wichita, this facility provides a large variety of opportunities for residents while serving as a safe and positive place for area youth. Some of its features include a learning center and study room, a kitchen and dining facilities, a computer center, music and dance classrooms, a game room, a teen center, a two-court gymnasium with seating for 500 people, a theatrical stage with dressing rooms, and plenty of outdoor facilities.

Designed to treat every cancer patient as a whole person, Stormont-Vail HealthCare Cotton-O’Neil Cancer Center in Topeka, Kan., offers a single location that gives hope to each patient while meeting his or her physical, spiritual and emotional needs. Patients have access to state-of-the-art technology, the latest in research and genetic counseling, social work and nutrition services, support groups, an educational library, and pastoral care.

We hope you are inspired by the diverse stories of achievement in this edition. We certainly are. Join us in recognizing these most relevant projects of our time.

Very Best,Amy PagettEditor

from the editor

CENTRAL PLAINS EDITION

Building of America(877) 945-4700

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Contributing WritersAmy Bell, Natalie Blythe, Marci Grossman, Stacey Nathanson, Kelly Skarritt

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The Real Estate & Construction Review is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. The publishers have taken all reasonable steps to verify the accuracy and completeness of information contained in the Real Estate & Construction Review. The publishers may not, however, be held responsible for any inaccuracies or omission of information in any article appearing in the Real Estate & Construction Review.

Entire contents copyright 2010 by Building of America. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial content in any manner without written permission is strictly prohibited.

letterAmy Pagett, photo courtesy of Naomi Ruth

table of contents central plains edition

CMAA: Leading the Surge in Sustainable and “Green” Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

COAA: If Builders Build and Designers Design, What do Owners do?. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

CoreNet Global Recognizes Innovation in Change Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

U.S. Green Building Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Part One: Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Hospitality & Recreation

Boys and Girls Club of South Central Kansas, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14This meaningful organization fulfills its mission of community outreach with a new facility

McPherson Opera House Rehabilitation . . . . 15Renovation allows an opera house to shine as a focal point in the city

Sprint Center Arena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16New sports arena sparks the redevelopment of downtown Kansas City

Part Two: Commercial Development

Bass Pro Shops White River Outpost at Branson Landing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Bass Pro Shops creates another one-of-a-kind store to help draw tourism to the area

Boulevard Brewing Company Expansion . . . 19A regional brewery upgrades its facilities in order to continue to provide high-quality products

C&A Plaza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20New headquarters is designed to increase local exposure and awareness of C&A Industries while providing a superior working environment for the company’s employees

Crossroads Parking Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Parking structure offers convenience and safety in a busy area

Ellerbe Becket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22A successful architecture firm designs its own office with the same high standards it provides for its clients

HNI Corporation/Gunlocke Headquarters . . . 23Headquarters facility features natural lighting, provides open work spaces and is LEED® silver certified

Lockard Companies Office Building . . . . . . . 24New national headquarters houses all aspects of a local company

ICM, Inc. Office Building. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26A growing workforce drives ICM, Inc. to build a new office

MMG Worldwide Headquarters . . . . . . . . . . . 27A new headquarters facility provides the latest technology in addition to an open work environment for its employees

Shelter Office Plaza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Office plaza blends into the environment with its eco-friendly design

Barkley Headquarters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29After sitting vacant for decades, the historic TWA world headquarters building is restored and reinvigorated to serve a new tenant

Sunlight Saunas World Headquarters . . . . . . 30A fast-growing sauna company makes room for growth

Wells Fargo West Des Moines Campus. . . . . 32New campus was designed with amenities that would provide a complete environment within a working campus community

Part Three: Mixed-use Developments & Multiunit Residential

4646 Broadway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Luxury loft-style condominiums are located adjacent to the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City’s only high-rise project

111 City Lofts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38Project transforms a 90-year-old office building into loft housing in downtown Des Moines

32

20

central plains edition table of contents

One Park Place Condominiums . . . . . . . . . . . 40Historic office building is transformed into luxury condominiums with first-class amenities

Part Four: Religious Facilities

Lincoln Berean Church Expansion. . . . . . . . . 43Addition allows a church to accommodate its congregation and fulfill its mission

The Ville for St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44A church looks to its patron saint for inspiration in creating a 17th-century town inside its gymnasium

Redeemer Presbyterian Church Sanctuary. . 46New church sanctuary provides modern amenities with a traditional feel

Part Five: Educational Facilities

Dr. Guinter Kahn Addition to the Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library at the University of Nebraska at Omaha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48Addition provides light-filled spaces and a variety of seating and study areas that encourage student use of the library

Kansas Life Sciences Innovation Center at the University of Kansas Medical Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50Modern biomedical research facility is designed and created to attract and retain world-class researchers

Life Science and Technology Center, Richwood Valley Campus, Ozarks Technical Community College . . . . . . . . . . . . 51A community college opens a new campus in a developing area

South Omaha Campus Connector Building at Metropolitan Community College . . . . . . . 52This connector building links a college’s past to its future

Part Six: Government

Fort Osage Education Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54Education center is designed to enhance educational programming at Fort Osage

Gardner Aquatic Center Expansion and Renovation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55Renovation and expansion allows the aquatic center to better serve the needs of the community

General Omar N. Bradley Elementary School Addition and Renovation . . . . . . . . . . 56A school for children with parents in the military gets an upgrade that includes a state-of-the-art planetarium

Kansas City Music Hall Renovation and Addition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58A beautiful, historic music hall is renovated and expanded in a way that celebrates its history while improving its function

Lewis & Clark Facility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59Efficient and expandable, this new army training facility will be able to keep up with technological advances for decades

Lee’s Summit Fire Station No. 7 . . . . . . . . . . 60A city provides fire protection for residents while increasing firefighting training opportunities

New Southeast Community Center . . . . . . . . 62An older community center is replaced by a new facility that expands the city’s offerings

The Phelps Youth Pavilion at the Waterloo Center for the Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63This youth pavilion provides an educational asset to the Cedar Valley region

Richard Bolling Federal Building Renovation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64Government facility is renovated to modernize the building for its tenants

Part Seven: Healthcare Facilities

Westside Family Medicine and Urgent Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67A new clinic with improved visibility and access for patients was designed as a prototype for future facilities in the St. Luke’s family

Barton County Memorial Hospital . . . . . . . . . 68New hospital has the feel of an Ozark lodge with the amenities necessary to support the community’s healthcare needs

Saunders Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69State-of-the-art replacement medical center provides much-needed healthcare services to Saunders County today and can expand to meet future needs

Stormont-Vail HealthCare Cotton-O’Neil Cancer Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70Cancer center is built to treat cancer holistically

The Center for Advanced Heart Care at The University of Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71New center provides a single, state-of-the-art location for the specialized treatment of cardiac diseases

Network Sourcebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72ShortList . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77Advertisers’ Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Corporate ProfilesRenze Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

67

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contributing associations

®

LEADING THE SURGE IN SUSTAINABLE AND “GREEN” BUILDING

Sustainable or “green” building is one of the biggest movements to hit the construction industry in many years. Owners both public and private are demanding that their new buildings be sustainable, as well as planning renovations with an emphasis on improving sustainability.

Some are embracing the formal and highly rigorous process of building certification through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) program. Others are simply paying more attention to the life-cycle cost of their buildings, including the significant savings that can be achieved through attention to smart energy usage, indoor air quality, recycling and other strategies.

It’s natural that buildings come in for this scrutiny. According to data compiled by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), buildings account for:• 30 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions.• 70 percent of electricity consumption.• 39 percent of U.S. primary energy use,

including fuel input for production.• More than 12 percent of all potable water use.• 40 percent of raw materials consumed

globally.• 136 million tons of construction and demolition

debris.

Those are enormous impacts. Both social responsibility and self-interest are driving owners toward more sustainable construction. Their contractors, subcontractors, and most of all their construction managers (CMs), must be part of this movement.

Many owners continue to perceive responding to this demand as an added cost and burden on their projects.

However, many are also recognizing the benefits they can realize in terms of lower operating costs, improved productivity and higher value. Indeed, most of the 69 available LEED® “credits” represent items that can yield life-cycle savings.

This focus on the long-term success of a project in meeting the owner’s needs is central to the CM’s mission. The professional CM can help an owner plan for success from the earliest stages of a project.

Owners who opt to pursue LEED® certification are taking on a complex task. A building must meet LEED® criteria for 26 out of the available 69 points in order to be certified. An owner seeking silver, gold or platinum certification must pass even higher tests. These points measure how you handle matters related to the building site, design, materials, energy and water use, and indoor air quality. The LEED® system gives owners the flexibility to choose which certification points to pursue.

A key early decision, then, is how many LEED® “credits” to pursue, and which ones. In just about any project, some of these credits will be more achievable than others — or they can be earned at a cost the owner can accept within the overall context of the project and generate benefits of greater value to the owner.

It’s a natural role for the CM to counsel the owner in developing a strategy for choosing which credits to go after and how. And it’s vital for the whole project team to know this strategy from the beginning.

Once embarked on this path, most owners will find the certification process extraordinarily complex, and will need to rely on a champion within the project team. That champion, in turn, must rely on productive collaboration and timely information sharing among all project participants. Document control, cost management and schedule maintenance all require close attention.

Promoting this kind of collaboration is another key mission of good construction management.

It’s important to remember that for all the publicity it has received, this emphasis on sustainability and green building is still relatively new, and will be unfamiliar to many owners. Many owners who don’t want the complexities of LEED® certification nevertheless do want the improved performance and ongoing cost savings that can come with sustainability.

This is where the professional construction or program manager can deliver real value to owners. At CMAA, we see the demand for this service reflected in several ways. More and more professionals now boast the combination of our own Certified Construction Manager credential with USGBC’s LEED®-accredited professional. We’ve gotten strong turnouts for LEED®-related sessions at our conferences, and our members report they are spending more and more time counseling clients on issues related to sustainability and green building.

This is a vital development, both for our industry and for our world.

7926 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 800McLean, VA 22102

Bruce D’Agostino, President, CMAA

CMAA is North America’s only organization dedicated exclusively to the interests of the professional construction and program management industry. On behalf of its 25 regional chapters and more than 4,500 public and private firms and individuals throughout the nation, CMAA promotes the construction management industry and provides professional resources, advocacy, professional development, certification, and business opportunities to its members. CMAA’s national headquarters is located in McLean, Virginia, and the association’s website is www.cmaanet.org.

Everything else! We teach students, practice medicine, manufacture products, offer entertainment and hospitality, provide the services of government, and much more. We need buildings to enable us to do what we do!

As owners, we deal with design and construction to support our mission. Our core missions may differ, but our responsibilities in the design and construction of our buildings are similar. We define our program needs; choose the build-ing sites; select architects, engineers and contractors; arrange financing; and manage the design and construction processes.

And the issues we face as owners are also similar — we have to find ways to deliver projects more quickly, keep projects within budget despite escalating material and labor costs in a global economy, as well as manage and resolve conflicts throughout the life of the project.

We are COAA, the Construction Owners Association of America. Since 1994, COAA has been supporting owners in achieving success on their projects. COAA works to improve the design and construction process for all. COAA offers its members a variety of services, including:

• Two National Educational Conferences offered per year, which provide superb opportunities for continuing education and direct networking with other owners.

• Members Only ListServe on the COAA website where members can reach owners across the country for feedback on any question within a matter of minutes.

The recent ListServe discussions have included a variety of topics from waterless urinals, incentives for construction managers, and identification of “experts” for a variety of situations such as leaking windows and accountability for cost estimates.

• Project Management training specifically developed for an owner’s staff.

• A Project Information Directory in which COAA members can check on a particular type of project and identify other owners with such projects and the final project costs. This directory contains more than $8 billion of projects nationwide.

COAA was also asked to participate in the development of new contract documents. COAA just completed a three-year collaboration led by the Association of General Contractors (AGC) with 20 other industry associations in the development of new contract documents — ConsensusDOCS. For the first time, we have contract documents available to owners that were developed on a collaborative basis with many of our partners in the industry. And COAA provided comments on the new contract documents to be issued by the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

COAA was established to provide a forum for owners to meet, share and learn in order to enhance their project success. As owners, we need to have appropriate expectations of our designers and contractors, convey these expectations to them, and then hold them to these standards. And we need to do our part in achieving project success — successful for the owner, designer and contractor!

As owners, we are on the cusp of some exciting changes in the construction industry with technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), which will change the way buildings are designed, and the Extensible Markup Language (XML), which may facilitate communications among various software applications. Owners can reap benefits from these technologies for years to come. Sustainability is a major consideration for all owners in their project design and construction, as well as the operations of their buildings — and we now have a track record on “green” buildings and lessons learned that we can share.

We invite you to join your fellow owners by becom-ing a COAA member — just log in at www.coaa.org! COAA is the only association in the industry established specifically for owners.

If Builders Build and Designers Design, What do Owners do?

www.coaa.org • 800-994-2622

M. Teresa Cook, President of COAA

CoreNet Global Change Management Tip:New and redesigned office space should improve work styles, interaction and

productivity. But to get good results, companies use change management to

gain employee buy-in before changes happen. Branding a change is part of

the mix used to communicate a new workplace. In the case of the new H&R

Block Center, the move to the new Kansas City headquarters became known

as “Bigger, Better, Together.”

http://www.usgbc.org/chapters

arts, entertainment, sports, hospitality & recreation

view our editions online at www.buildingofamerica.com

central plains edition arts, entertainment, sports, hospitality & recreation14

Boys and Girls Club of South Central Kansas, Inc.

Wichita, KansasFacts & FiguresOwner: Boys and Girls Club of

South Central Kansas, Inc.

Type of Project: A new community

outreach facility

Size: 41,200 square feet

Cost: Approximately $7.8 million

(construction costs)

Construction Time: June 2006

- August 2007

The Need: To provide a community

outreach facility that offers various

opportunities for residents

The Challenge: Raising funds for

the facility’s construction

The Boys and Girls Club of South

Central Kansas, Inc. constructed a

new facility to provide communi-

ty outreach in Wichita, Kan. The

project is instrumental in providing

various opportunities for residents

in this community, according Jan

Davis, chief professional officer of the

Boys and Girls Club of South Central

Kansas. It primarily serves “as a safe

and positive place for youth ages six

to 18 to go after school, thus keeping

them ‘off the streets,’” she said.

The 41,200-square-foot facility

features a learning center and study

room, a kitchen and dining facili-

ties, a computer center, music and

dance classrooms, a game room, a

teen center, a two-court gymnasium

with seating for 500 people, a the-

atrical stage with dressing rooms,

and outdoor facilities that include a

full-size artificial turf athletic field for

football and soccer. Along with using

the center as a place of opportunity,

many area youth “will participate in

youth-development activities such as

character and leadership develop-

ment, career and education develop-

ment, the arts, physical fitness, and

healthy lifestyles,” said Davis.

Situated on 11.93 acres, the facility

is on a site that Davis said is uniquely

located in a neighborhood full of

young people who are at risk for

getting involved with drugs, illegal

activities or other dangers. “The site

was chosen because it was available

[and] it was owned by the City of

Wichita, who was willing to donate

the land,” said Davis. “Thus, all the

stars were aligned for this project to

be completed so this neighborhood

and beyond would be presented with

opportunities for a better future.”

The building has a number of

unique features that set it apart from

other Boys and Girls Club locations

across the United States. For exam-

ple, the design of the main game

room allows for natural daylighting,

which helps reduce energy costs.

Additionally, most of the classrooms

in the facility are located around an

outdoor courtyard, giving each area

access to an outdoor classroom and

also making use of natural light. The

center’s gymnasium serves a dual

purpose, providing a place for Boys

and Girls Club activities as well as for

community/athletic events.

While the building itself is unique,

Davis said the most innovative and

challenging aspect of the entire

project was the fundraising process

involved. Donations were an absolute

necessity in order to build the facility.

“The club engaged Mr. Russ Meyer,

a key figure in the Wichita com-

munity, to raise money to build the

facility, and because of the success

and respect he brought to the proj-

ect, many of the major companies

contributed,” said Davis. “Due to

his fundraising abilities, he secured

major contributions, which allowed

the club to add additional amenities

to the project, such as a soccer field

with synthetic turf, a double-court

gymnasium and a stage for commu-

nity events. The club was completed

far faster than comparable facilities

due to the rapid fundraising.”

Coupled with the fast fundraising

efforts and an overall team effort,

the project was completed in a little

more than a year despite extreme

wet weather conditions. Davis said,

“The project is a tribute to team

effort and a positive example to the

construction industry, providing a

positive place for the children of

South Central Kansas.” n

— Natalie Blythe

Photo courtesy of GLMV Architecture — Gavin Peters Photographer

GLMV Architecture (formerly McCluggage Van Sickle & Perry) Architect

Key ConstructionGeneral Contractor

Midwest Drywall Co., Inc.Drywall, Acoustical, EIFS/Plaster, Specialty

Overhead Door CompanyOverhead Doors, Sectional Doors, Ceiling Doors, High-speed Doors, Loading Dock Equipment Hangar Doors

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 15

McPherson Opera House RehabilitationMcPherson, KansasFacts & Figures

Owner: McPherson Opera House

Company

Type of Project: Rehabilitation of an

opera house

Size: 30,000 square feet

Cost: $8 million

Construction Time: September

2005 - February 2007

The Need: To restore a historic

building and provide a location for

arts, entertainment and culture

The Challenge: Updating the

building without destroying its

historical character

The historic McPherson Opera

House in downtown McPherson,

Kan., recently underwent a major $8

million rehabilitation project, trans-

forming it into a key spot for arts,

entertainment and culture as well as

providing an anchor to help revital-

ize the downtown area.

“The three-story McPherson

Opera House was originally com-

pleted in 1888 and served as an

opera house and community cen-

ter for generations,” said Lindsay

Young, business relations represen-

tative for Martin K. Eby Construction

Co., Inc., the project’s general con-

tractor. “The building was also a

movie theater, apartments and a bus

station until 1983, when it was pur-

chased by a local bank at an auction

with the intent of demolishing it. In

1986, the McPherson Opera House

Company was formed to save and

restore the building.”

McPherson Opera House

Company took on the task of reha-

bilitating and restoring the opera

house back to its original glamorous

state in two phases of construction.

During Phase I, the exterior of the

building was restored and the roof

was reconstructed to stabilize the

decaying structure. The front half of

the building was completed during

Phase II of construction. “The build-

ing was modified to include two sets

of stairways that start in the base-

ment and extend four stories into

the gallery,” said Young.

Other modifications to the build-

ing included dividing the base-

ment into two retail shops and the

future theater lobby; remodeling

the second floor for professional

leased space; adding a grand ball-

room to the third floor, complete

with a kitchen for community func-

tions; and reconstructing the opera

house’s parquet, balcony and gallery

theater lobbies.

“We installed a seven-stop eleva-

tor that is ADA [Americans with

Disabilities Act] fully accessible,” said

John Holecek, director of develop-

ment for McPherson Opera House

Company. “Even though the build-

ing is only three stories, we have

seven stops because the floors are

staggered. We also have beautiful

stair systems with the elevator in the

middle.”

According to Holecek, it was

critical that the facility was retained

and restored because it is a his-

torical asset. However, updating the

building without destroying its his-

torical character was challenging.

“Historical studies were conducted

to preserve architectural details of

the project. This included the paint

schemes and colors, carpeting,

woodwork and casings, and deco-

rative lighting,” said Young. “The

architect worked closely with the

owner and the contractor to ensure

the correct historical factors were

included in the restoration. Because

of the historical renovation, it was

imperative to match the era the

McPherson Opera House Company

requested.”

Despite the daunting task, the

project team pulled off the impres-

sive rehabilitation with finesse. “The

McPherson Opera House truly is

a community building with great

historical meaning to its residents,”

said Young. “With the selection of

a local architect and a construction

company with strong ties to the

community, the entire team focused

on returning the McPherson Opera

House to its original glory.” n

— Natalie Blythe

Photos courtesy of John Holecek

ADS Architects Architect

Martin K. Eby Construction Co., Inc.General Contractor

Badger Daylight Midstates Inc.Excavating Contractors

Hedlund ElectricElectrical Contractors

Woodwork Manufacturing & SupplyArchitectural Millwork/Casework/Woodwork

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains edition arts, entertainment, sports, hospitality & recreation16

Sprint Center ArenaKansas City, Missouri Facts & Figures

Owners/Developers: City of

Kansas City, MO; Anschutz

Entertainment Group

Type of Project: A new sports

arena

Size: 666,480 square feet (arena);

42,745 square feet (National

Association of Basketball Coaches

Hall of Fame)

Cost: $276 million (total)

Construction Time: Spring 2005

- fall 2007

The Need: An anchor for the city’s

downtown redevelopment and a

new sports arena for professional

basketball and hockey

The Challenge: Designing and

constructing a unique facility while

staying within budget

The revitalization of Kansas

City’s urban core received a large

boost when the Sprint Center

Arena was completed in the fall of

2007. The new home for Kansas

City basketball, hockey, concerts,

family shows and special events, it

is among the finest arenas in the

country and is helping to change

the face of downtown.

The Sprint Center Arena was

designed to be a recognizable

building. While its size makes it

unlikely to blend in, it is the

architecture and exterior that

really set it apart. “With a con-

tinuous elliptical glass form direct-

ly reflecting and displaying the

seating bowl it houses, strong

visual connections between inside

and out radiate in every direc-

tion,” said Brad Schrock, senior

project designer for Downtown

Arena Design Team, the project’s

architect, which included mem-

ber firms 360 Architecture, HOK

Sport, Ellerbe Becket and Rafael

Architects. “The arena bowl and

visitors within become the exterior

image of the building as activity

inside and out ultimately become

one in the same, thus reinforcing

the connection of the design to its

urban surroundings.”

In addition to the arena, the

site also houses the National

Association of Basketball Coaches

(NABC) Basketball Experience and

Hall of Fame. The NABC facility is

an angular contrast that conforms

to one of the major street corners

and is connected to the arena by a

low-slung entry space, according

to Schrock, but is separate from

the arena.

Creating such an expansive

and unique facility while remain-

ing in budget was a challenge.

“Some of the most notable design

innovations with this project were

identifying creative approaches

to very typical building systems

and materials,” said Schrock. “The

glass skin was no exception; with

budget in mind and using a very

common curtain wall system, it

was important to achieve as many

repeatable shapes as possible with

the glass panels in order to control

costs. The design team worked

rigorously to create an efficient yet

dynamic form.”

The project was performed

under the construction manager at

risk delivery method. This allowed

construction to begin before the

design was fully complete so the

scheduled opening date could be

met. Additionally, it involved M.

A. Mortenson Company and some

specialty contractors early in the

process so informed, value-based

decisions could be made during

the preconstruction phase. “This

allowed for value engineering to

occur early in the project and not

after bids have been received,”

said Blake Ellis, project manager

for Burns & McDonnell, the pro-

gram manager for the City of

Kansas City, one of the project’s

owners in a public/private partner-

ship with Anschutz Entertainment

Group. “Value was truly added

to the process, and value engi-

neering was not a cost-cutting

exercise.”

The Sprint Center Arena and

the attached NABC Hall of Fame

provide an anchor for the revital-

ization of downtown Kansas City.

Hosting a wide range of activi-

ties, from sports to concerts to

other special events, the complex

provides an exciting destination

that will bring people into the city

again and again. n

— Marci Grossman

Burns & McDonnell Program Manager for the City of Kansas City, MO

ICON Venue Group Program Manager for Anschutz Entertainment Group

Downtown Arena Design Team Architect

M. A. Mortenson Company Construction Manager at Risk

Carthage Marble CorporationMarble & Granite

Fordyce Concrete Company Inc.Concrete Ready-mix Supplier (Union)

T E A M M EM B ER S

“Some of the most notable

design innovations with

this project were identifying

creative approaches to

very typical building systems

and materials.”

Brad Schrock, senior project designer for Downtown Arena Design Team

commercial development

view our editions online at www.buildingofamerica.com

central plains edition commercial development18

Bass Pro Shops White River Outpost at Branson Landing

Branson, Missouri

Facts & FiguresOwner: Bass Pro Shops

Type of Project: A new retail store

Size: 40,000 square feet

Construction Time: January 2006

- June 2006

The Need: A new Bass Pro

Shops store in a popular area of

Mississippi

The Challenge: Building a store

that will help contribute to tourism

to the Branson area

Bass Pro Shops has made a name

for itself as a destination spot for out-

door enthusiasts. In 1984, founder

John Morris opened the first show-

room — a part museum/part retail

outlet in Springfield, Mo. In 2006,

the company opened Bass Pro Shops

White River Outpost at Branson

Landing in Branson, Mo., one of the

most highly visited areas in the state.

Bass Pro Shops provides visitors

with a unique indoor/outdoor expe-

rience. The stores offer equipment,

clothing items and services for fish-

ing, hunting, camping, boating and

water sports. In addition, customers

can admire elaborate displays featur-

Photos courtesy of Bass Pro Shops

Creative Ink Architects, LLCArchitect

Walton ConstructionGeneral Contractor

Hoss & Brown Engineers, Inc.Mechanical Engineers

K & R Electric Inc.Electrical Contractor

Mid Missouri Fire Protection LLCFire Protection

T E A M M EM B ER S

ing life-size waterfalls, giant aquari-

ums and more. Since its first facility,

Bass Pro Shops has opened locations

in 29 states, and each store possesses

its own unique style.

“People come from all over to see

our stores because there aren’t two

alike,” said Larry Whiteley, corpo-

rate spokesman for Bass Pro Shops.

Whiteley said that because Branson

attracts many tourists and is a favorite

location of Morris’, it was only natural

that Bass Pro Shops would open a

store there. “[Morris] loves this area,”

he said.

Specifically, what draws people

to the area is Lake Taneycomo,

which had once been the White

River before the river was dammed

to create the lake. To that end, the

Branson store was built adjacent to

Lake Taneycomo and named the

White River Outpost.

The 40,000-square-foot store was

created with the White River in mind.

Inside, it features a river as well as a

trout pool aquarium that pays tribute

to the natural beauty of the Branson

area. The aquarium is stocked with

fish native to the area, including

rainbow and brown trout, large-

and small-mouth bass, blue gill, and

catfish. “It’s like a natural history

museum,” said Whiteley. “There’s

no retailer in America like this. It’s an

amazing store.”

Bass Pro Shops also opened a

floating restaurant next door to take

advantage of the prime location.

Called White River Fish House, the

6,800-square-foot restaurant allows

customers to continue enjoying the

outdoor experience. Also located

at the restaurant is a marina that

invites visitors to fully appreciate Lake

Taneycomo.

A challenge on this particular loca-

tion was in building a store that

would help contribute to tourism

in Branson. Since the area is well

known, the store needed to stand

out and offer attractions for tourists.

Incorporating all elements that pay

homage to Lake Tanycomo and the

White River into the store solved this

challenge.

Bass Pro Shops is known for its

attention to detail with both its scenic

displays and its customized inven-

tory, which has something for every-

one. Bass Pro Shops White River

Outpost at Branson Landing is no

exception. n

— Kelly Skarritt

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 19

Boulevard Brewing Company Expansion Kansas City, MissouriFacts & Figures

Owner/Developer: Boulevard

Brewing Company

Type of Project: Expansion of

a brewery

Size: 68,500 square feet

Cost: $15 million

Construction Time: February

2005 - November 2006

The Need: To expand the existing

brewery

The Challenge: Integrating the

brewing equipment into the

construction of the new

brew house

Boulevard Brewing Company was founded in 1989

with the idea to create a regional brewery based on the

models that had flourished into the early 20th century.

In 2005, because it was running out of space for its

current operations, the company decided to expand

the brewery with a new brew house, a new packaging

facility and a 200-seat facility that can be rented out for

events. The company’s goal was to continue to main-

tain the standard of fresh, flavorful beers that regional

brewers are able to offer due to the small geographic

area served.

Rather than build a new facility, Boulevard Brewing

Company expanded at its current inner city site in

Kansas City, Mo., reclaiming a rundown city block and

continuing its commitment to the area. John McDonald,

president and owner of Boulevard Brewing Company,

said that he believes strongly in communities mixed

with residential and retail areas, and he supports the

idea that businesses that produce locally benefit the

community. In keeping the old site, the company was

also able to retain the local workforce.

Located adjacent to the original brewery and vis-

ible from the interstate, the new brew house doubles

the original brewing capacity. It has a brick and stone

exterior with storefront glazing and glass block, creating

an updated look that still blends with the surrounding

neighborhood. “The brew house features a transpar-

ency and attention to detail that reflects the purity Photo courtesy of Feinknopf

360 ArchitectureArchitect

Rau Construction CompanyConstruction Manager/General Contractor

Carthage Marble CorporationMarble & Granite

DL Kidwell & Son ConstructionExcavating Contractors

Doherty Steel Inc.Structural Steel Fabricators & Erectors

Rainbow Construction Underground Utilities, LLCSite Utility Contractor

T E A M M EM B ER S

and community on which the brewery was founded,”

said Tracy Stearns, principal at 360 Architecture, the

project’s architect.

The challenges of this project were related to the

integration of the brewing components into the struc-

ture of the new brew house. Namely, the team had to

allow space for equipment that was still being designed

during the building’s construction. Much of the brewing

equipment was designed and built in Germany, which

added to the challenge due to the need to continu-

ally convert and verify the conversions of weights and

utilities from the metric system to the United States

customary system.

Completed in November 2006, the expansion of

the Boulevard Brewing Company facility allows it to

continue to be an important part of the community.

According to McDonald, Boulevard Brewing Company

is proud to be a part of the rebuilding of downtown

Kansas City. n

— Marci Grossman

Photo courtesy of Iiams

central plains edition commercial development20

C&A PlazaOmaha, NebraskaFacts & Figures

Owner: C&A Industries, Inc.

Type of Project: A new

headquarters building

Size: 120,000 square feet (total)

Cost: $20 million (total, including

ground)

Construction Time: April 2006

- June 2007

The Need: A new headquarters

building that could accommodate

the company’s existing employees

and enable it to continue to hire

additional workforce to better

serve its customer base

The Challenge: Choosing the

perfect design for the facility

Ranked as one of the best employ-

ers in Omaha, Neb., C&A Industries,

Inc. is a national leader in staffing

and temporary employment. Due

to significant growth, C&A’s existing

facility was no longer large enough

to house its existing employees or

enable it to continue to hire addi-

tional workforce to better serve its

customer base. Therefore, a new

headquarters building was needed.

In searching for a site for the

new five-story, 120,000-square-foot

facility, C&A wanted a prime loca-

tion that would allow it to increase

its exposure and reinforce to the

community and to its customers

what it is as a company. “We have

a great story to tell, and we wanted

to make a visual statement about

our commitment to Omaha, what a

great organization we are today and

where we’re headed in the future,”

said Scot Thompson, chief executive

officer of C&A.

“We believe our new headquarters

complements an already beautiful

business park,” said Thompson. The

building also has several features that

allow employees to enjoy a friendly

and productive atmosphere, includ-

ing high ceilings, significant natural

sunlight and outside views, private

phone booths, a wellness room with

spa-like features, 60-inch plasma-

screen televisions in break rooms,

outside patio areas, and a top-floor

balcony. “All these elements have

been put in place to provide our

employees with a great work envi-

ronment,” added Thompson.

Deciding exactly how to design

the building was a challenge for

the project team. The solution to

the challenge was also the most

unique feature of the design process,

according to Thompson. Gensler,

the project’s design architect, placed

hundreds of pictures on a wall, and

the C&A team separated them by

those they liked and those they

disliked, explaining the reasons

behind the selections. Gensler then

presented the owner with three

designs to choose from. The pros

and cons were discussed until a deci-

sion was made.

The building’s most unique fea-

ture is its glass curtain wall system,

according to Michael D. Bauer, proj-

ect manager of The Weitz Company,

the project’s general contractor.

Spanning more than 75 percent of

the building, the curtain wall system

includes more than 3,300 panes of

glass. On the opposite side, a three-

story box incorporating brick and

ribbons of glass defines the building

entry and creates the balcony on

the fifth floor. “The box appears to

float in the context of the surround-

ing glass, incorporating the genesis

of the curved wall,” said Blake A.

Mourer, AIA, LEED AP, senior associ-

ate for Gensler.

Another unique feature, accord-

ing to Tom Zuk, registered archi-

tect and partner at Holland Basham

Architects, the project’s architect of

record, is the custom outdoor air-

handling unit located on the roof.

The unit contains hot-water heat-

ing coils, direct-expansion refrigerant

cooling coils, filter sections, supply

fans, return fans, mixing and access

sections, and discharge and intake

plenums. Divided into approximately

16 sections, the unit was shipped to

the site and then lifted to the roof of

the building.

Completed in June 2007, C&A’s

new headquarters building fulfills the

company’s needs while also yielding

positive results in productivity, effi-

ciency and employee satisfaction. n

— Stacey Nathanson

Photos courtesy of Gensler

Holland Basham ArchitectsArchitect of Record

GenslerDesign Architect

The Weitz CompanyGeneral Contractor

Husker Glass, Inc.Glass & Glazing

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 21

Crossroads Parking StructureKansas City, MissouriFacts & Figures

Owner/Developer: Nicholson

Group

Type of Project: A new parking

structure

Size: 135,000 square feet (total)

Construction Time: November

2005 - January 2007

The Need: To meet the parking

needs of the Crossroads’ emerging

social scene

The Challenge: Dealing with

an underground tunnel that was

discovered during demolition

Located just south of the down-

town loop in Kansas City, Mo., the

redeveloped Crossroads area has an

emerging social scene with unique

restaurants, merchants and art galler-

ies. In order to meet the Crossroads’

increased parking needs, a new 850-

car parking structure was built for

businesses and visitors.

Before construction could begin,

an existing business center had to

be demolished on the site. After that

was completed, the new parking

garage, which has a precast concrete

structure with a translucent exterior

facade, was constructed. The trans-

lucent exterior allows light in while

masking the parked cars from the

street-side view, making the parking

structure stand out as a work of art in

the Crossroads area.

According to Brad Nicholson,

principal at Nicholson Group, the

project’s owner/developer, the best

part about the building is that it

doesn’t look like a parking garage.

One reason for this is that the facility

is for more than just parking cars.

At street level, the parking structure

offers retail space, including a lunch

counter and a coffee shop. In addi-

tion, bright orange ribbons of color

are used to highlight the exterior,

mark the staircases and accent the

stores below. This unique aspect

of the structure helps to further

integrate the facility into the con-

tinuous street-level activity of the

community.

Another unique aspect of the proj-

ect is that the parking garage is

linked to the renovated historic Trans

World Airlines (TWA) office building.

The main pedestrian access point is

a 20-foot-wide outdoor space. Jay

Tomlinson, AIA, principal at Helix,

the project’s architect, said, “With

the collaboration of a local artist, the

space now holds a wall-mounted

kinetic sculpture that animates the

space day and night. The sculpture,

ZIPPER, physically and metaphori-

cally combines the two buildings

into a cohesive composition.” The

piece has gotten acclaim since its

installation and recently received the

2007 AIA Arts & Craftsmanship Merit

Plus Award.

During the demolition phase, an

underground arched tunnel was

uncovered that had not appeared

on any blueprints. While no one

knows for sure what the purpose of

the tunnel was, it is speculated that

it may have been used to transport

people and liquor during Prohibition.

Ultimately, the tunnel was capped

and filled for structural purposes so

the project could continue.

Completed in January 2007, this

parking structure truly adds to the

growing community. Tomlinson

said, “In the evening, the structure

transcends itself to become a piece

of art as the frosted glass facade

is illuminated and shadows dance

across its canvas.” n

— Marci Grossman

Photo courtesy of Mike Sinclair

HelixArchitect

Harris Construction General Contractor

Anderson Survey CompanyLand Surveyors

Bob D. Campbell and CompanyStructural Engineers

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains edition commercial development22

Ellerbe BecketKansas City, Missouri

Facts & FiguresOwner/Developer: Hines

Type of Project: A tenant fitout of

an existing building

Size: 19,000 square feet

Cost: $1.1 million

Construction Time: August 2006

- November 2006

The Need: A new location for

architect Ellerbe Becket

The Challenge: Creating

specialized doors for the project

Photo courtesy of Michael SpillersEllerbe BecketTenant/Architect

Turner Construction CompanyConstruction Manager/ General Contractor

T E A M M EM B ER S

With five locations in the United States and two in

the Middle East, Ellerbe Becket has come a long way

since it was founded in 1909. Having been involved

in projects across America and 20 other countries,

the company’s high ranking as an architectural/

engineering firm is well deserved. The space the

firm fit out for its employees at its Kansas City, Mo.,

location needed to be the same level of quality as

the work it provides for its clients.

After 20 successful years at its prior location in the

Country Club Plaza, Ellerbe Becket chose to relocate

to the Crown Center. According to Jon Neimuth,

AIA, NCARB, principal at Ellerbe Becket, the choice

to relocate was guided by the desire to be closer

to the activities and energy of Kansas City’s urban

renaissance and the benefits offered by a large

single-floor office.

The interior of the 19,000-square-foot facility

was demolished and rebuilt into a functional office

building that includes large, open office spaces; a

kitchen; cubicles; an information technology (IT)

desk; a copy center; sliding walls that allow rooms

to be divided into smaller conference rooms; a

reception area; and the legacy gallery, which dis-

plays highlights of the history of the firm and its cli-

ents. The building accommodates the casual nature

of the creative process and respects the private

meeting functions needed for local and national

clients. Six large doors, each nine feet tall, surround

the main conference room, pivoting out and creat-

ing an impressive entry way. Four sliding doors on a

barn door track are used for the two south confer-

ence rooms.

The linear spacing of the building complements

the office’s strong colors, which include red, black

and orange. A curved orange wall in the southwest

corner can be used as a display area. The building’s

gloss black walls required an extremely smooth fin-

ish so drywall imperfections would not be visible.

Designing and constructing the specialized doors

was a challenge for the project team. In order to

solve this challenge, according to Brent McMeans,

project manager for Turner Construction Company,

the project’s construction manager/general contrac-

tor, a specialty contractor was hired to assist in the

creation of the doors, which Turner then installed.

McMeans said that having an architect as a client

allowed for an efficient construction process. “It was

very different from the usual construction process

and line of communication of any other project,”

he said. “The architect was very easy to work with

and could easily communicate what they needed

and wanted for the project. The process was easier

because there was only one line of communication

— a direct line to the owner.” This efficiency con-

tributed to managing the costs on the project.

The result is an innovative space for an innovative

company. The flexible design allows Ellerbe Becket’s

employees to have access to the space they need as

they need it while providing the sophistication nec-

essary for client meetings and presentations. n

— Marci Grossman

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 23

HNI Corporation/Gunlocke HeadquartersMuscatine, IowaFacts & Figures

Owner: HNI Corporation

Type of Project: A tenant fitout of

an existing building

Size: 35,660 square feet

Cost: $4.06 million

Construction Time: July 2005

- July 2006

The Need: A new headquarters

and furniture showroom for HNI

Corporation/Gunlocke

The Challenge: Balancing

the owner’s commitment to

preserving an existing building,

obtaining LEED® Silver certification

and managing a tight budget

When HNI Corporation, the

second-largest furniture manufac-

turer in the United States, acquired

Gunlocke, a company that manu-

factures high-end wood furniture,

there became a need for a new

corporate headquarters that would

showcase the companies’ merged

entity and tie the two brands

together.

In order to maintain its presence

in downtown Muscatine, Iowa, HNI

purchased a four-story, circa-1927

warehouse on a site that serves

as an entry to a recent city core

revitalization effort. “The challenge

was to take a decrepit old build-

ing and breathe new life into it

so it could be a community asset

— a corporate headquarters with

a collaborative feel, reflective of

the company’s focus on design

— and be sustainable,” said Bradd

Brown, project architect for OPN

Architects, Inc., the project’s archi-

tect of record.

The new facility includes offices,

a showroom, a new concrete plas-

ter exterior, new windows and a

new roof system. “Based on dis-

cussions with the client, the team

determined that the design should

reflect the ideals of the company:

strength in community, depend-

ability, modesty, a dedication

to roots and an eye toward the

future,” said Melissa Mizell, senior

associate for Gensler, the project’s

design architect.

HNI’s decision to renovate the

property provided the opportunity

to create a work environment that

would reflect the importance of

the building’s original context. The

original floors of the building were

a stunning maple wood that were

sanded and clear-coated to preserve

their antique nature. Tin ceilings

and steel structural elements were

exposed and integrated into the

design. By incorporating salvaged

windows into offices and cutting

new openings between floors, nat-

ural light was able to penetrate the

building’s core, increasing visual

connection among user groups.

The most unique feature of

the facility, according to Brad

Schoenfelder, vice president of

development for Ryan Companies

US, Inc., the project’s gener-

al contractor, is that it received

the U.S. Green Building Council

(USGBC)’s Leadership in Energy

and Environmental Design (LEED®)

Silver certification by meeting the

six categories measured by the

LEED® credit system: sustainable

sites, water efficiency, energy and

atmosphere, materials and resourc-

es, indoor environmental quality,

and innovation in design. In addi-

tion, construction materials with

recycled content were chosen for

the project, and waste from the

renovation was recycled.

According to Schoenfelder,

the project’s greatest challenge

was balancing the owner’s com-

mitment to preserving an exist-

ing building with obtaining LEED®

Silver certification and managing

a tight budget. Value engineering

was used throughout the project,

and the team was always looking

for creative and cost-effective ways

to create a sustainable building

that met LEED® certification stan-

dards. “Reuse of the building has

given [the owner] a very unique

facility that can’t be replicated

with new construction,” added

Schoenfelder.

In the end, the team’s extensive

renovations turned a dilapidated

building into an efficient corpo-

rate headquarters that provides

an excellent work environment for

employees as well as a showroom

that reflects the company’s legacy

of products. n

— Stacey Nathanson

Photos courtesy of Nic Lehoux Photography

OPN Architects, Inc.Architect of Record

GenslerDesign Architect

Ryan Companies US, Inc.General Contractor

Martin & Whitacre Surveyors & Engineers, Inc.Civil Engineers

Meyer Landscape & Design Inc.Landscape Contractors

Terracon Consultants Inc.Engineering/Testing/Inspection

Treiber Construction Company, Inc.Concrete Contractors

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains edition commercial development24

Lockard Companies Office BuildingCedar Falls, Iowa

Facts & FiguresOwner: Lockard Development, Inc.

Type of Project: A new national

headquarters building

Size: 12,900 square feet

Cost: $2.3 million (construction

costs)

Construction Time: November

2005 - June 2006

The Need: A new national

headquarters to accommodate

the company’s current needs and

allow for future growth

The Challenge: Dealing with

weather-related delays and

industry-wide material shortages

Lockard Companies, a full-

service development, realty and

construction management firm,

needed a new location for its

national headquarters due to com-

pany growth. The firm wanted to

stay in the area, which led to the

construction of a new three-story,

12,900-square-foot office building

situated in the 700-plus-acre mas-

ter-planned community of Pinnacle

Prairie in Cedar Falls, Iowa. In addi-

tion to providing office space for

the company’s current needs, the

building includes room to accom-

modate future growth.

According to John T. Flint, direc-

tor of asset management and

strategic initiatives for Lockard

Development, Inc., the project’s

owner, the new facility is part of

Prairie Business Park, the office

component of Pinnacle Prairie.

Pinnacle Prairie offers homes,

offices, shopping and recreation

— all connected by walking and

biking trails, parks, and natural

habitat areas. Lockard Companies’

headquarters building provides a

nice complement to the distinct

community.Photos courtesy of Lockard Companies

INVISION Architecture Architect

Lockard Construction, Inc.General Contractor

Martinson Construction Co., Inc.Concrete Contractors

The Oak Tree, Inc.Cabinets

Peterson Contractors, Inc.Heavy Highway Contractor

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 25

Eric Ritland, project architect for

INVISION Architecture, the proj-

ect’s architect, said the prairie-

style building is filled with modern

amenities and abundant natural

light. Some of its unique features

include a two-story entrance atri-

um, translucent perimeter office

walls, a walkout basement to a

patio, an open staircase that leads

to an upper conference room, an

energy-efficient lighting system,

heat-gain-reducing thermal glaz-

ing and programmable controls

for the motorized window shades.

Lockard also employed a truly

innovative feature into its head-

quarters by using a horizontal loop

groundwater-source heat pump

for heating and cooling the build-

ing. “The system saves the com-

pany approximately 40 percent on

energy costs,” said Flint.

Despite weather-related delays

and industry-wide material short-

ages, the office building was

completed in eight months, thanks

to the hard work of the team.

Along with the benefit of a new

home base, the construction of

Lockard Companies Office Building

stands as a testament to the com-

pany’s determination to stay in

the area.

Flint said, “The design standards

and sense of place provided by

Pinnacle Prairie were exactly what

the Lockard Companies were try-

ing to achieve.” n

— Natalie Blythe

Photos courtesy of Lockard Companies

central plains edition commercial development26

ICM, Inc. Office BuildingColwich, KansasFacts & Figures

Owner: ICM, Inc.

Type of Project: A new office

building

Size: 24,000 square feet

Cost: $6.6 million

Construction Time: Completed in

September 2006

The Need: A new building that

accommodates the company’s

growing workforce

The Challenge: Creating a

stairway that both pleased the

owner and adhered to fire-code

requirements

A leader in the design, construc-

tion and support of ethanol plants,

ICM, Inc. needed ample space to

accommodate its growing workforce

due to the rising demand for new

ethanol plants. “From January 2005

to September 2007, we increased

our core staff by 400 percent,”

said Ray Kelley, facilities manager

for ICM. As a result, the company

decided a new office building was

in order.

Built on a site in the greater

Wichita area of Colwich, Kan.,

that will lend itself to future devel-

opments, the new three-story,

24,000-square-foot facility consists

mainly of private offices and cubi-

cle-style workstations, along with

break and conference rooms.

“This…office building was designed

to house engineering sup-

port groups for the design and

construction of ethanol-produc-

tion plants,” said Lynn Anderson,

preconstruction services manager

for Martin K. Eby Construction

Co., Inc., the project’s general

contractor.

The site was chosen with the

community and its workforce in

mind. “Our owner feels that the

greater Wichita area has some of

the best talent in America, with skills

that are specific to our needs,” said

Kelley. “[ICM president and CEO

Dave Vander Griend] purchased

some property from his previous

employer when he left them to start

his own ethanol-research company.

Although several cities have offered

us incentives to relocate or branch

off into their business parks, Dave

remains loyal to Colwich.”

Anderson said the original plan

called for a two-story, 16,000-

square-foot building, but the size

was increased to accommodate

a third floor. In order to make

the project happen, Martin K. Eby

Construction made several decisions

in terms of the project’s architectural

and structural features. The project

team wanted the facility to match

the existing style and colors of near-

by buildings. “The team selected a

precast concrete frame and precast

concrete exterior wall panels match-

ing the layout and rustification joints

on the existing buildings,” said

Anderson. “This selection allowed

the team to meet the aggressive

project schedule requirement while

improving the overall performance

of the facility, including noise con-

trol, open space requirements and a

stable floor system.”

During design and construction,

the team ran into a challenge with

the stairway on the project. “The

owner’s desire for an open stair

similar to the one they had in their

existing two-story office created a

significant challenge and increased

the complexity of the project when

the project increased from a two-

story to a three-story building,” said

Anderson. “The addition of the third

floor changed the fire-code require-

ments, making the open stairway

a more complex design issue than

exists in the existing building. In the

end, the contractor used large coil-

ing fire doors with egress man-doors

built into them to create a closed

stairway in the event of a fire.”

The team’s hard work paid off.

Kelley said, “We receive many com-

pliments when visitors enter our

building.” n

— Natalie BlythePhotos courtesy of Gavin Peters

Architectural Innovations, LLC Architect

Martin K. Eby Construction Co., Inc.General Contractor CCM Counter Top & Cabinet M.F.G.Countertops

Overhead Door CompanyOverhead Doors, Sectional Doors, Coiling Doors, High-speed Doors, Loading Dock Equipment, Hangar Doors

Terracon Consultants Inc.Engineering/Testing/Inspection

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 27

MMG Worldwide HeadquartersKansas City, Missouri

Facts & FiguresOwners: Don Montague and

Clayton Reid

Type of Project: A fitout of an

existing building

Size: 40,000 square feet

Cost: $6 million (total)

Construction Time: November

2005 - April 2006

The Need: A new headquarters for

MMG Worldwide

The Challenge: Uncovering

unknown items during demolition

that were concealed by previous

construction

MMG Worldwide, one of the larg-

est advertising and marketing firms in

the United States specializing solely

in destination travel and the hospital-

ity industries, was in need of a new

headquarters that would foster a

creative work environment and

provide a pleasing backdrop to

showcase its work. In addition, the

company wanted the new location

to provide an atmosphere that was

as interesting as its previous offic-

es, which were located in a historic

hotel. Therefore, the decision was

made to fit out an existing circa

1961 building in Kansas City, Mo.,

because of its “great location next to

Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza,”

said Don Montague, one of the proj-

ect’s owners.

“It was our challenge to take this

existing building and convert two-

and-a-half floors to office space that

met [MMG Worldwide’s] needs of

openness and interaction among

staff [members],” said Laura Scott,

project designer for Gastinger Walker

Harden Architects, the project’s

architect. Thanks to the team’s hard

work, this was achieved, resulting

in a headquarters that is not only

open and integrated, but provides

employees with the latest in elec-

tronic, telecommunications and mul-

timedia technology.

The team began by gutting the

structure and removing all the previ-

ously added improvements so the

building could be returned to its

original design, according to Doug

Sharpe, senior project manager for

Merit General Contractors, Inc.,

the project’s general contractor. All

the existing window, HVAC, elec-

trical and plumbing systems were

removed in order to bring them up

to today’s standards. The elevator

was upgraded to meet Americans

with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

Existing plaster wall systems were

repaired, and hazardous materi-

als throughout the building were

removed.

The most unique feature of the

facility, according to Sharpe, is the

entry canopy. The canopy is located

on the west side of the building,

cantilevers 10 feet over the entry

sidewalk and forms a series of double

gabled structures. “We stripped the

EIFS [exterior insulation finish sys-

tem] soffit that had been added to

enclose this structure and returned it

to its original condition and added a

stainless steel edge coping/fascia to

help accentuate its unique shape,”

said Sharpe.

Scott and Sharpe agreed that the

greatest challenge encountered on

the project was uncovering unknown

items during demolition that were

concealed by previous construction.

For example, some of the building’s

firewalls had holes in them, and

the team discovered asbestos and

groundwater issues. Discovering

these items after the project had

already begun meant that much of

the design had to be modified in

the field, causing numerous delays

and budget issues. Weekly team

meetings were scheduled to review

and discuss unanticipated issues that

arose in order to develop economi-

cal solutions that saved the owners

money while providing a better qual-

ity product in the end. In addition,

value engineering played a big role in

the process, and new ideas were pre-

sented almost weekly to the owners

for consideration and incorporation.

Ultimately, the renovated build-

ing offers the open work environ-

ment envisioned by the company’s

owners. n

— Stacey Nathanson

Photo courtesy of Mike Sinclair

Gastinger Walker Harden ArchitectsArchitect

Merit General Contractors, Inc.General Contractor

Cain PaintingPainting & Wallcovering Contractors

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains edition commercial development28

Shelter Office PlazaColumbia, MissouriFacts & Figures

Owner/Developer: Shelter

Enterprises, LLC

Type of Project: A new office park

Size: 60,000 square feet

Cost: $8.7 million

Construction Time: March 2006

- December 2006

The Need: An upscale office plaza

for tenants

The Challenge: Working on a tight

schedule

When Shelter Enterprises, LLC decided to construct

an office complex on 5.3 acres adjacent to its head-

quarters in Columbia, Mo., the company turned to

Kansas City-based architectural firm Berger Devine

Yaeger, Inc. for the master planning of its plaza.

The new complex consists of three buildings: a two-

story, 40,000-square-foot building and two one-story,

10,000-square-foot buildings sitting on a corner lot

bordering the campus of Shelter Insurance Company,

the parent company of Shelter Enterprises. “Instead of

creating a ‘typical’ building unit that would be copied

several times on site, the complex offers a variety of

building sizes when it comes to appearance, storefront

visibility and leasable spaces,” said Marcia Hamilton,

marketing coordinator for Berger Devine Yaeger. The

core and shell design for each building allows for a

great amount of flexibility for tenants.

The office plaza’s unique look is not the only

aspect worth noting. “It adds a quality class A office

park to Columbia, which will give high-end, first-

class tenants a prime location to do business,” said

Keith Curd, director of facilities and services for

Shelter Enterprises.

One of the office plaza’s interesting features is that

it connects to Shelter Gardens by a sidewalk that runs

from the plaza’s campus. Shelter Gardens consists

of five acres of land containing more than 300

varieties of trees and more than 15,000 annuals

and perennials. “Shelter Gardens is known through

Missouri and beyond, and is visited yearly by thou-

sands of people from all over the world,” said Curd. “It

is owned and maintained totally by Shelter Insurance

Company for the benefit of our employees and the

general public.”

Shelter Enterprises is known for its quality and

for blending in with the surrounding environment,

which is something Berger Devine Yaeger adhered to.

“From the start, the client sought to pursue a design

that would not only pay respect to the immediate

surrounding residential community, but offer a look

of an upscale office complex representing the image

Shelter Enterprises creates with all their new facilities,”

said Hamilton.

To that end, the three buildings were constructed at

the lot’s perimeter, and mature trees were left in the

central landscaped lawn. Freestanding brick columns

were added for visual enhancement. The buildings

were designed with a horizontal emphasis by using

low-massing elements with low pitched roofs, large

overhangs, brick and limestone panels with storefront

glazing, and aluminum panels to achieve a prairie look

that has a residential feel.

The project is also environmentally friendly. “We

designed the entire space with more than 40 percent

green area even though the city requirements were

only approximately 20 percent,” said Curd. “The roof

is made of recycled material with a 50-year life expec-

tancy that has a ‘slate’ look to it.”

The tenants’ proposed move-in dates led to a

condensed construction schedule, which challenged

the team. “This required the project team of owner,

architect and contractor to work together in a very

efficient manner in order to meet the opening-date

objective,” said Hamilton.

Completed in December 2006, Shelter Office Plaza

provides tenants with a unique place to work and a

setting that coexists with the environment. n

— Natalie Blythe

Photos courtesy of Berger Devine Yaeger, Inc.

Berger Devine Yaeger, Inc.Architect

Little Dixie Construction, LLCGeneral Contractor

Emery Sapp & Sons Inc.Pavement Marking & Striping

Gibbens Drake Scott, Inc.Consulting Engineers

JACOR Contracting, Inc.Waterproofing/Joint Sealant/Concrete & Masonry Restoration

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 29

Barkley HeadquartersKansas City, MissouriFacts & Figures

Owner/Developer: Nicholson

Group

Tenant: Barkley

Type of Project: Renovation of an

office building

Size: 133,000 square feet

Construction Time: December

2005 - December 2006

The Need: To restore the former

TWA Corporate Headquarters

in order to provide a home for

Barkley, an advertising agency

The Challenge: Dealing with the

building’s inefficient design, in

wich the first two floors are split

by an alley

Howard Hughes owned TWA when the company

built its world headquarters in Kansas City, Mo. Though

the building was occupied by a series of tenants after

TWA moved its headquarters to New York in 1969, it

was eventually vacated and remained empty for several

decades until a recent renovation project restored the

four-story building and created a new home for adver-

tising agency Barkley.

The goal of the project was to restore the integrity

of the building’s original design and honor the era of

the original occupants, yet make practical and func-

tional improvements to support the current and future

needs of Barkley. Located in downtown Kansas in the

revitalized Crossroads Arts District, the TWA building

was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in

2002. To that end, it was important to identify and pre-

serve the building’s historic elements. Primary facades,

window profiles, building colors and material sheens

were maintained. Practical improvements included low

emissivity (low-e) glazing, ultraviolet-blocking shades

and strategically placed trees.

Rooftop decks on the new and improved building

feature outdoor meeting spaces and gardens with

more than 30,000 feet of native gardens and wildflow-

ers. The team turned what had been useless space

into functional, sustainable space. “The planted roof

reduces energy consumption by adding insulative

value, extends the life of the roofing system, assists

with acoustical baffling, provides beautiful landscape

for people, and habitat for animals and insects in an

unlikely location,” said David Dowell, principal of el

dorado inc, the architect for the building shell renova-

tions. “It reduces the amount of rain water entering the

storm water system by at least 50 percent,” he added.

Photos courtesy of Mike Sinclair

el dorado incArchitect (Shell Renovations)

Gensler Architect (Interiors)

Harris Construction General Contractor

Byers Glass & Mirror, Inc.Glass & Glazing

John Rohrer Contracting Company Inc.Concrete Contractor

T E A M M EM B ER S

According to Brad Nicholson, principal of Nicholson

Group, the building’s owner/developer, the most

innovative aspects of this project were the green roofs

and the restored rocket. A 35-foot Moonliner rocket

designed by Disney’s Imagineers had been given to

Howard Hughes and mounted on the TWA building.

During this project, the rocket was rebuilt and rein-

stalled to a place of prominence.

The original design of the structure posed some chal-

lenges. The first two floors were split by an alley, which

resulted in inefficient floor plans and the need for two

elevator cores. To be able to attract a tenant, the alley

was abandoned so that the floors were connected. This

also allowed the team to create a well-organized floor

plan, centralizing the elevator core and adding a third

staircase.

Barkley desired open and collaborative space, so

the new interior design included conference rooms

and client meeting spaces with multiple collaborative

zones. “With such massive floor plates, the decision

was made to have a distinct lack of offices,” said Erica

Wren, director of communications for Barkley. The

space is definitely not lacking in meeting space, a key

component to the advertising agency’s brainstorming

culture. There are 23 conference rooms, 38 collabora-

tive zones, and a theater for large groups and presen-

tations. The entire fourth floor is dedicated to client

meeting space.

Nicholson Group has been a major participant in the

revitalization of the Crossroads Arts District. Originally

slated for demolition, the TWA building has been

restored and its continued use is a victory for both

sustainability and historic architecture. n

— Marci Grossman

central plains edition commercial development30

Sunlight Saunas World HeadquartersOverland Park, KansasFacts & Figures

Owners: Aaron and Connie Zack

Type of Project: Renovation of an

existing building into a new world

headquarters

Size: 42,000 square feet

Cost: $4.5 million (construction

costs)

Construction Time: February

2007 - December 2007

The Need: A world headquarters

for Sunlight Saunas

The Challenge: Deciding where

to relocate

Photo courtesy of © Al Tutton Photography 2007 — DLR Group Architects/Engineers

DLR GroupArchitect

Harmon ConstructionGeneral Contractor

Five Star MasonryMasonry Contractor

M & R Steel Fab LLCStructural & Miscellaneous Steel

Paragon PC, Inc.Painting & Wallcovering Contractors

T E A M M EM B ER S

Since 2005, when Sunlight Saunas

showed up on Entrepreneur maga-

zine’s radar as one of the top 100

fastest-growing businesses, owners

Aaron and Connie Zack have felt the

benefits — and growing pains — of

running a successful company. As

the company grew, so did the staff-

ing needs, and the Zacks decided it

was time to move their world head-

quarters from its Lenexa, Kan., loca-

tion to somewhere that would both

reflect Sunlight Saunas’ business

philosophies and help turn around

a struggling economic epicenter.

Deciding where to relocate was

a challenge. “Given that we were

overcrowded in our previous loca-

tion of 5,000 square feet and grow-

ing extremely fast as a company,

we desperately needed more office

space,” said Dalton Garrison, pub-

lic relations specialist for Sunlight

Saunas. “We wanted to have a

space that could provide top-notch

accommodations for our employees

as well as plenty of space for addi-

tional growth.”

This challenge was solved when

Sunlight Saunas chose the former

Sun Publications building, a land-

mark in Overland Park’s Metcalf

Corridor, for its new world head-

quarters. The Metcalf Corridor had

experienced an economic downturn

in recent years, and the company

hoped it could help turn the area

around. Furthermore, the building

provided the company with more

space for its current needs plus

additional room for future growth.

“After purchasing the building, we

wanted to renovate and make it

unique to our company culture,”

said Aaron Zack, president and CEO

of Sunlight Saunas.

“Sunlight Saunas provided us

with a great opportunity to reno-

vate one of the most prominently

located buildings in Overland Park

and all of Johnson County,” added

Bob Carlson, AIA, principal for DLR

Group, the project’s architect. “Our

goal was to create a design that

expresses Sunlight Saunas’ entrepre-

neurial character.”

In providing a model for future

development, the Zacks endeav-

ored to create a space for their

employees that reflects their work-

place ideals. “In addition to the

unique showroom and spa experi-

ence, Sunlight Saunas is labeled as

a great place to work,” said Penny

Ramsey, associate for DLR Group.

“Employee amenities are abundant

throughout the office, from a relax-

ation room with a pool table and a

flat-screen TV, to a fitness center,

an outdoor patio and a full-service

kitchen. A chef is on site to prepare

breakfast and lunch daily, ensuring

healthy diets for employees.”

Sustainability was another impor-

tant aspect of the project. “We

added motion-sensor lighting to

save electricity [and] motion-sensor

restrooms to save water; installed

a white energy-efficient roof (as

opposed to a standard black tar

roof); and used many recycled

materials for flooring, carpets and

fabrics,” said Garrison.

In the end, the project not only

provides a unique and environ-

mentally friendly headquarters for

Sunlight Saunas, it has space on

the bottom floor for future tenants,

thus preparing for the growth and

revitalization that Overland Park is

ready to welcome into the Metcalf

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 31

Corridor. Garrison said, “Our recent

growth and success has also pro-

vided a blueprint for keys to success

for other local entrepreneurs.” n

— Kelly Skarritt

Photo courtesy of © Al Tutton Photography 2007 — DLR Group Architects/Engineers

central plains edition commercial development32

Wells Fargo West Des Moines Campus Des Moines, Iowa

Facts & FiguresOwner: Wells Fargo

Type of Project: A new office

campus

Size: 960,000 square feet

Cost: $250 million (total)

Construction Time: June 2004

- October 2006

The Need: A new campus to

consolidate employees into one

location

The Challenge: Creating easy

wayfinding through such a large

campus

The Wells Fargo West Des Moines

Campus was built to consolidate

into one location teams that had

been scattered in third-party leased

facilities throughout the greater Des

Moines area.

Located on nearly 160 acres, the

campus includes three four-story

office buildings, a central plant and

a central commons building. There

is also a 2,968-space surface park-

ing lot and a four-level, 1,750-car,

above-ground parking structure.

“Wells Fargo wanted to create

a ‘complete environment’ within

a working campus community,

enabling them to be an employer of

choice where people are the most

valuable asset,” noted the project

team members of RSP Architects

Ltd., the project’s interior design

architect. Creating a great place to

work included providing an array of

amenities such as a fitness center, a

coffee shop, a convenience store, a

conferencing center, a bistro, a full-

service cafeteria, exterior walking

trails, outdoor patio dining and an

open-air amphitheater.

“The ultra-modern campus is

built for the future, but landscaping

around the buildings goes back in

time and resembles a 19th-century

Iowa tall grass prairie,” said Mike

Breckenridge, vice president/con-

struction – project management

for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Corporate Properties Group. Prairie

grasses, courtyards, walking trails

and ponds surround the buildings,

and the themes of water, sun-

light, stone and prairie are carried

throughout the working environ-

ment. The river theme is repeated

in flooring patterns of natural stones

and tiles, while the open-office main

corridors are enhanced with a flow-

ing river ceiling design. Dubuque

Photo courtesy of Integrated Studios

SVPA Architects Inc.Architect

RSP Architects Ltd. Interior Design Architect

JE Dunn Construction Construction Manager

The Weitz Company Construction Manager

Baker GroupMechanical Contractor

Confluence (formerly Brian Clark + Associates)Landscape Architects

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 33

limestone on interior walls emulates

river bluffs. Employee break areas

are screened with prairie grasses

encased in semi-transparent resins.

Additionally, a variety of natural

slates and wood species are incor-

porated throughout the campus

design, providing warmth and time-

less beauty.

“Wells Fargo extended its eco-

friendly outdoors to the inside of

the buildings on campus,” said

Breckenridge. “Designed with ener-

gy and environmental systems that

are better than standard commercial

buildings, the campus buildings use

less energy and have lower power

demands than similar buildings in

the Midwest.” These systems include

high-efficiency glass; advanced heat-

ing, cooling and ventilation controls;

energy-efficient motors; low-energy-

use office equipment such as LCD

monitors; and daylight harvesting.

According to JE Dunn

Construction, one of the project’s

construction managers, one inno-

vative element of the project is

the underground tunnel system

through the campus that links all

the office buildings with a central

receiving/mailroom area. By build-

ing the tunnels taller than needed

for pedestrian traffic, they could also

be utilized for routing of utilities to

and from the central plant and the

office buildings. This saved on costs

as utilities did not have to be buried

outside the buildings.

The largest challenge in design-

ing 960,000 square feet of space

for up to 4,500 employees within

a 160-acre campus was wayfind-

ing throughout the four separate

buildings, which are linked together,

according to RSP Architects. To over-

come this challenge, each building,

although similar in design, features

some subtle differences, including

different interior finish materials and

carpet color accents.

Another challenge “was under-

standing the magnitude of a proj-

ect this size,” said Breckenridge.

“The result was incredible — the

core team of approximately 20

people had interdependency with

each other, trusted and respected

one another, and all had the same

unselfish goals that ended in a very

successful project, under budget

and ahead of an aggressive schedule

by six months.”

The Wells Fargo West Des Moines

Campus supports employees’ every

need, from food service to a conve-

nience store. In addition, the cam-

pus walking trails and ponds not

only provide a relaxing atmosphere

for employees but they are open

to the public as well. Furthermore,

the consolidation of 4,500 team

members into one location has

added to the economy of West Des

Moines. n

— Stacey Nathanson

Photo courtesy of Integrated Studios

mixed-use developments & multiunit residential

view our editions online at www.buildingofamerica.com

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 35

4646 BroadwayKansas City, Missouri

Facts & FiguresOwner: 4646 Broadway, LLC (a

joint venture between Capital

Resources Group and Consolidated

Development Partners)

Type of Project: A new

condominium tower

Size: 48,000 square feet (building);

20,000 square feet (garage)

Cost: $16.7 million (total)

Construction Time: August 2005

- March 2007

The Need: A loft-style residential

project in Kansas City

The Challenge: Working on a

small site

4646 Broadway is a 12-story

contemporary loft-style condo-

minium tower that overlooks the

famed Country Club Plaza shop-

ping district in Kansas City, Mo.

With only 18 residences, it appeals

to those interested in a loft alter-

native to traditional condominium

living.

The 10,500-square-foot site,

restrictive building setbacks and

12-floor height limit determined

the design and form of the build-

ing, according to Christopher

Shears, AIA, partner at ShearsAdkins

Architects, LLC, the project’s archi-

tect. Garage parking is located two

levels below grade with a speed

ramp that connects the levels. The

parking level plans determined the

core and column location in the

loft residences above.

Each 5,000-square-foot floor of

the tower includes one or two

condominiums. The building’s hill-

Photos courtesy of 4646 Broadway, LLC

ShearsAdkins Architects, LLCArchitect

The Weitz CompanyGeneral Contractor

JPI Glass (Jim Plunkett Inc.)Glass & Glazing

Portfolio Kitchen & HomeCabinets

T E A M M EM B ER S

continued on page 37

http://www.portfolio-home.com

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 37

top location, relatively small floor

plate and open loft plan allow

270- to 360-degree views over the

Country Club Plaza and north to

the downtown skyline. The build-

ing also features a rooftop plaza

with an outdoor kitchen, fountains

and a glass railing.

The tower was built from prop-

erty line to property line and

required line drilling of the lime-

stone bedrock from the installa-

tion of the footings. The building

is made of cast-in-place concrete

and is exposed to view on both

the exterior spine of the building

and most of the ceilings in the

units. “The use of the exposed

concrete in the finished spaces

added depth to the space,” said

Greg Shannon, business develop-

ment manager, and Mike Burson

of The Weitz Company, the proj-

ect’s general contractor.

One unique feature of the

building, according to George

continued from page 35

Each regional edition of the Real

Estate & Construction Review,

including the ShortList, can now

be viewed online at our website.

www.BUILDINGOFAMERICA.COM

Birt, principal at Consolidated

Development Partners, the proj-

ect’s owner in a joint venture with

Capital Resources Group, is that

the tower’s exterior features a con-

tinuous glass window wall system

with metal composite panels. In

addition, “the fact that it has so

few residences, just 18 in a 12-

story building, is unique not only

to Kansas City, but to much of the

rest of the country,” he said.

In order to save on resident

and common area energy con-

sumption, the building uses an

all-electric split system for heat-

ing and cooling, along with a

high-performance glazing system.

Additionally, the use of cast-in-

place concrete and posttension

concrete floor slabs reduced the

amount of concrete and reinforc-

ing needed, thereby saving mate-

rial dollars.

The team members agree that

the greatest challenge on the proj-

ect was the small site. Because of

the limited space, all the materials

brought onsite had to be installed

immediately. A great deal of com-

munication, planning, detailed

scheduling and material manage-

ment was required in order to

overcome this challenge. “The

project team worked together to

bring a gorgeous building/project

in on schedule and budget,” said

Shannon and Burson.

“The addition of 4646 Broadway

to the plaza area’s skyline has dra-

matically altered the heretofore

traditional building forms found

throughout the district,” added

Birt. “It is definitely a one-of-a-

kind building.” n

— Stacey Nathanson

Photo courtesy of 4646 Broadway, LLC

central plains edition mixed-use development & multiunit residential38

111 City Lofts Des Moines, IowaFacts & Figures

Owner: Verde Partners

Developer: DSM Development

Co., LLC

Type of Project: Adaptive reuse

of an existing office building as

residential lofts

Size: 170,000 square feet

Cost: $14.6 million

(construction costs)

Construction Time: Spring 2006

- fall 2007

The Need: A new residential

complex in downtown Des Moines

The Challenge: Adding exterior

terraces to the existing, historic

building

The 111 City Lofts project

involved the transformation of a

90-year-old, five-story office build-

ing into a residential loft com-

plex. The goal of the owner, Verde

Partners, and the project’s archi-

tect, Baldwin White Architects, was

to provide a responsible, sustain-

able design at an affordable price.

“We feel that we have created

the best urban living product in

downtown Des Moines, and we

are hearing that people are agree-

ing with us,” said Kevin White,

vice president of Baldwin White

Architects.

The renovated building now fea-

tures 66 lofts, ranging in size from

1,100 square feet to 2,800 square

feet, along with one level of under-

ground parking. Each unit features

open ceilings that are exposed to

structural elements, giving height

and drama to each space; custom

millwork and finishes based on

individual tenant upgrades; floor-

to-ceiling windows; and a terrace,

most of which are enclosed. “We Photos courtesy of 111 City Lofts

Baldwin White Architects Architect

Neumann Brothers, Inc.General Contractor

T E A M M EM B ER S

are the only housing project down-

town with these large covered

exterior spaces,” added White.

According to Ted Brackett of

Neumann Brothers, Inc., the proj-

ect’s general contractor, the first

unit to be completed was the

model unit, for which construction

was expedited so it could be fea-

tured in Country Home magazine.

Exterior work on the building

involved a complete facelift with

the removal of the existing exte-

rior tile for resurfacing with Dryvit

and the creation of more than 150

floor-to-ceiling openings, which

transformed the interior spaces

by adding light and views to the

units. In addition, the exterior walls

were pulled in to create the large,

deep exterior covered terraces

and the entire recessed wall was

a 10-foot-high glass wall to bring

in daylight.

“The terraces are unique in

their design and in the challenges

inherent in constructing them,”

said Brackett. Cutting 12- to

14-foot openings into an older

existing building presented a

unique set of challenges for the

construction process. Some walls

were thicker than expected,

some were concrete instead of

masonry, others contained lin-

tels and some were even double

walled. All the unknown conditions

made the cutting a difficult task for

the crew.

The plumbing stacks were

another challenging aspect of the

project, according to Brackett. All

the piping had to be thoughtfully

coordinated in advance of con-

struction and then carefully adjust-

ed in the field for actual conditions.

Additionally, because the ceilings

are open to the exposed structure,

plumbing piping of one unit runs

above the space for the unit below.

Thus, careful consideration had to

be given to ensure all the spaces

within the units were not affected

by the plumbing layout.

In addition to the extensive

daylighting, the facility incorpo-

rates several other environmen-

tally friendly features such as bam-

boo floors and recycled materials.

Reducing energy consumption

was the motive for central heating

and cooling systems, according

to White. The building features

a modular boiler system and a

rooftop chiller, which leaves only

a fancoil unit as the equipment

in each dwelling that moves the

conditioned air, a system that is

estimated to save up to 50 percent

on the energy consumption for

each dwelling.

Despite the challenges, the 111

City Lofts project took a histor-

ic building that had been sitting

empty for several years and turned

it into an affordable living complex

in downtown Des Moines. n

— Stacey Nathanson

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 39

Photos courtesy of 111 City Lofts

central plains edition mixed-use development & multiunit residential40

One Park Place CondominiumsKansas City, Missouri

Facts & FiguresOwner: One Park Place Investors,

LLC

Type of Project: Conversion of a

historic office building into

condominiums

Size: 320,000 square feet

Construction Time: November

2004 - October 2007

The Need: New residential living

space with first-class amenities

The Challenge: Respecting the

building’s history while making

significant changes

One Park Place Condominiums

offer modern residential living in

what was once a historic office

building. Constructed in the

1960s, this 20-floor building has

become a significant Kansas City,

Mo., landmark.

The project sits in a mixed

area that includes both commer-

cial space and an older residen-

tial neighborhood. The site was

chosen because it provided the

spaces necessary for both condo-

miniums and world-class ameni-

ties. Furthermore, “as the highest

point in Kansas City, it offers

views unsurpassed anywhere in

the city,” said Curtis Hapgood,

AIA, project manager for One Park

Place Investors, LLC, the project’s

owner. “We believe that it helps

to promote growth in the mid-

town area and provides a luxury

living alternative to an area that is

convenient to the fastest-growing

business and entertainment area

in the region.”

Photos courtesy of Gastinger Walker Harden Architects

Gastinger Walker Harden ArchitectsArchitect

The Weitz CompanyGeneral Contractor

Design Supply Inc.Doors/Frames/Hardware

Farthingale StoneOrnamental/Architectural Stone

JPI Glass (Jim Plunkett Inc.)Glass & Glazing

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 41

The existing building had

clean lines and simple, elegant

detailing. “The renovation main-

tains the character of the orig-

inal design, while new spaces

enhance the living experience,”

said Dan Nenonen, AIA, proj-

ect architect for Gastinger Walker

Harden Architects, the project’s

architect. The completed proj-

ect includes 106 luxury condo-

minium units, with the top two

floors of the building serving as

single penthouse units. Each floor

is approximately 16,600 square

feet, including corridors and ele-

vator lobbies. Floors two through

seven are arranged to accommo-

date eight units per floor, while

floors eight through 15 have six

units per floor. Floors 16 through

18 house four units per floor and

allow for more customization. The

penthouses on floors 19 and 20

are fully customized by buyers.

Amenities include an indoor

swimming pool, a fitness center, a

media room, a wine cellar, a dog-

grooming room, an outdoor pet

playground, a concierge, valet

services and a driving range. “It

is all the amenities found within

One Park Place that makes this

a unique living experience,” said

Nenonen. “One may wander

through the grand lobby past

the fireplace, through the wine-

tasting room and into the tem-

perature-controlled wine cellar, or

stop and rest in the TV lounge at

the wood-paneled bar.”

A new porte-cochere, the only

new exterior construction aside

from site work, extends 54 feet

from the face of the building and

cantilevers 34 feet from its sup-

port columns to minimize any

impact on the existing structure.

The porte-cochere delicately tran-

sitions a new entrance into the

historic building, extending the

original linear details.

Maintaining the existing struc-

ture’s historical integrity while

making significant changes in its

use required innovation, accord-

ing to Roger Grout, senior proj-

ect manager, and Greg Shannon,

business development manager

for The Weitz Company, the

project’s general contractor. Each

step of the renovation had to

be approved by the Kansas City

Parks Department, and all fea-

tures had to be consistent with

the building’s original design.

Working together, the team was

able to achieve this challeng-

ing goal, resulting in top-notch

condominiums with world-class

appeal. n

— Stacey Nathanson

Photos courtesy of Gastinger Walker Harden Architects

religious facilities

view our editions online at www.buildingofamerica.com

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 43

Lincoln Berean Church ExpansionLincoln, NebraskaFacts & Figures

Owner: Congregation of Lincoln

Berean Church

Type of Project: An expansion of

an existing church

Size: 117,000 square feet

Cost: $10.7 million

Construction Time: Summer 2005

- April 2007

The Need: More space for a

growing church congregation

The Challenge: Maintaining the

budget, and providing a sense of

intimacy in the large sanctuary

Lincoln Berean Church’s sanc-

tuary increased five times after a

three-story, 117,000-square-foot

addition was completed in April

2007. Dennis Coudriet, AIA, of Bahr

Vermeer Haecker Architects, the

project’s architect, said, “The sanc-

tuary is the largest in the area and

allows the church to offer venues

for other outreach events such as

conferences and Christian concerts

that were otherwise not available

in the area.”

The church originally had a 700-

seat sanctuary that proved to be

limiting to the church and its role in

the community. “The design allows

the church to perform one of its

primary missions of worship and

preaching,” said Coudriet. “The

existing 700-seat sanctuary was too

small to accommodate the con-

gregation, even with four separate

church service times. The addition

allows the church body to worship

and participate in the church ser-

vices as a whole.”

In addition to the increased seat-

ing capacity, the expansion includes

lobbies, welcome centers, informa-

tion booths, a video editing room,

restrooms and supporting ameni-

ties. The third level of the addition

is a shell and includes a balcony that

will provide a future 1,000 seats of

the combined 3,500-seat total. In

addition, a worship and arts minis-

try (WAM) area was designed and

constructed as shell space to be fin-

ished at a future date as a separate

project. Once completed, the WAM

area will consist of rehearsal rooms,

offices and restrooms.

Driving the design of the addi-

tion were two main factors: the

budget and the church’s mission.

“The church building is a tool, and

the building project is not about

the building itself — but how the

building will allow the church to

fulfill its mission,” said Coudriet.

“Consequently, the church must

function stringently within the pro-

gram requirements.”

The church’s limited budget

proved to be a challenge for the

project team. Low-cost but unique

solutions included color usage to

liven up large spaces, wood veneers

to provide visual warmth and

wooden “clouds” in the sanctuary

to provide acoustics. For the exteri-

or, Coudriet said masonry was used

at the pedestrian level and metal

panels were used at higher areas.

“The masonry products included a

mix of brick and split-face concrete

masonry units (CMUs),” he said.

“The split-face [CMUs] allowed a

savings over brick but still provided

masonry where it was desired.”

Another challenge was pro-

viding a sense of intimacy in the

large sanctuary space, according

to Coudriet. In order to solve this

challenge, stadium seating was

added to the sanctuary to bring the

congregation closer to the pulpit.

Floor seats are arranged in a radial

layout to give the perception of a

smaller space.

The addition at Lincoln Berean

Church provides for the expansion

of the church’s ministry, as it will

allow for more interactive worship

experiences for its congregation

and aid in the church’s outreach

to the community by offering more

room for newcomers in an intimate

setting. n

— Natalie BlythePhotos courtesy of Lincoln Berean Church — Ben Hurr

Bahr Vermeer Haecker Architects Architect

Sampson Construction Company, Inc.General Contractor

Weathercraft Company of LincolnRoofing Contractors

Wolfe Electric Company, Inc.Electrical Contractor

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains edition religious facilities44

The Ville for St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church

Andover, KansasFacts & FiguresOwner: St. Vincent de Paul

Catholic Church

Type of Project: Interior

renovation of an existing church

gymnasium

Size: 5,000 square feet (main

level); 600 square feet (mezzanine)

Cost: $700,000

Construction Time: August 2005

- June 2006

The Need: To transform an

underutilized gymnasium into

a space that resembles a

17th-century Parisian town,

allowing the church to provide

family-based religious instruction

The Challenge: Selecting the

materials, and detailing a great

number of design elements

When looking for direction for an

interior renovation project, Father

Mike Baldwin at St. Vincent de Paul

Catholic Church in Andover, Kan.,

turned to the church’s patron saint

for inspiration in creating The Ville,

a replica of a 17th-century Parisian

town in the church’s gymnasium

building. The project reproduces

the town where St. Vincent de Paul

lived and also incorporates a por-

tion of St. Lazar, the abandoned

asylum used by St. Vincent, into

the entrance.

The church undertook the inte-

rior renovation when the church

pastoral council and Father Baldwin

decided to incorporate a new cur-

riculum into the church’s offerings,

providing family-based religious

instruction to the congregation.

In addition to creating the effect

of the centuries-old Parisian town,

the project includes space and

seating for 300 people, a state-

of-the-art multimedia performance

stage, equipment storage, a serv-

ing line, and an adjacent com-

mercial kitchen. The Ville serves

as meeting space for the church’s

various organizations, a reception

space for weddings and a gen-

eral venue for events such as high

school graduation parties.

When deciding which area of

the church to renovate, the pas-

toral council contemplated several

ideas and eventually turned to the

church gymnasium. “The church

gymnasium was the most under-

utilized space in the entire facility,”

said Mike Seiwert, AIA, architect for

WDM Architects P.A., the project’s

architect. “It was a 60-foot by 90-

foot preengineered metal building

complete with exposed vinyl faced

insulation and all the reverberation

you could ask for.”Photos courtesy of Rob McHenry

WDM Architects P.A.Architect

Bauer & Son Construction Co., Inc.General Contractor

Drager DesignSpecial Finishes

T E A M M EM B ER S

One of project’s unique aspects

is that the team designed a system

to give the church total control

over the facility’s lighting. “The

original gymnasium had no win-

dows, and this allowed us to design

a lighting system that could imitate

anything from daytime to a starlit

night scene,” said Seiwert.

“One of the greatest challenges

was the dilemma of material selec-

tion and an approach to detailing

a great number of design ele-

ments. In addition to design, archi-

tects think in terms of practicality,

constructability and cost,” said

Seiwert. In order to solve the chal-

lenge and create the look and

feel of a 17th-century structure,

the project team used a mixture

of brick, stone, wood and plaster

to produce a variety of finishes

and intricate details, such as

specialty light fixtures and “rust

stains” below wall-mounted

gutters.

The project’s details presented

unique design opportunities for the

team to be creative. Roofing, doors

and windows were not needed for

functionality, but rather for aes-

thetic quality. In this way, the team

was able to provide many one-of-a-

kind construction details to create

a spectacular experience. Seiwert

said, “Looking back, I remember

several parishioners expressing, ‘I

thought this was just going to be

a few scenes of Paris painted on

the walls!”

The entire community has been

impressed by The Ville. In fact,

the facility was so well received

that it has been almost continually

booked since its completion. n

— Natalie Blythe

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 45

ph: 316.269.3600 fx: 316.269.3601337 N. Rock Island, Wichita, KS 67202

Photo courtesy of Rob McHenry

central plains edition religious facilities46

Redeemer Presbyterian Church SanctuaryOverland Park, Kansas

Facts & FiguresOwner/Developer: Redeemer

Presbyterian Church

Type of Project: A new church

sanctuary building

Size: 26,000 square feet

Cost: Approximately $5 million

(construction costs)

Construction Time: July 2006

- August 2007

The Need: A modern church

sanctuary with a traditional feel

The Challenge: Utilizing two

different types of structural

systems

Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Overland Park, Kan.,

is part of the Presbyterian Church of America, a denomi-

nation that follows the Reformed tradition, which is a

commitment to the Word, the sacraments and discipline.

Proudly tied to the traditional aspects of their religious

practice, the Redeemer Presbyterian Church committee

members wanted their new sanctuary to be built in a very

traditional style.

The church had been worshipping in temporary

spaces and was ready to build a sanctuary. As a

traditional church, the congregation, staff and

parish wanted the new building to be designed as

traditional worship space both inside and out. David

A. Kaster, CEO of Kaster Architects, Inc., the

project’s architect, said, “In an era when churches

are drifting from the look of traditional ‘church’ build-

ings in favor of blending into their surroundings,

Redeemer has elected to make a statement that they are

undeniably a church.”

The church committee members spent extensive time

and effort to research and learn about all the aspects of

church architecture and symbolism to ensure the nuances

of the architecture correctly reflected the church’s wor-

ship views. The church also wanted the sanctuary to

specifically fit the expectations of its members. Robert

L. Reymond Jr., owner’s representative for the church,

said that all the church’s committee members, the

clergy and the architect (who also attends the church)

answered some abstract questions about their views of

worship and ministry. The survey allowed the project

team to design a church that was consistent with the

committee’s views of worship.

On the exterior, the building consists of traditional

forms and materials, using a heavy stone base, large

arched windows, ornamental brick and a towering stee-

ple. The interior inspires awe from the first step inside

with its tall ceiling and barrel vault. The design is bor-

rowed from older churches, including the Independent

Presbyterian Church in Savannah, Ga., which served as

the main inspiration for the design.

The building was constructed by combining an engi-

neered structural system with a preengineered structural

system. Using this hybrid structure allowed the team to

take advantage of the different capabilities of each system.

Coordinating these two systems, however, was the big-

gest challenge of the project. Randy K. Huber, senior vice

president of A.L. Huber, general contractor, the project’s

construction manager/general contractor, said, “This

combination required extensive coordination between

the two structural disciplines to accommodate all the

various design parameters of each system, such as brac-

ing, horizontal and vertical deflections, connections, load

combinations, etc. To further complicate matters, and an

additional design challenge, the structure is designed to

accept additional loads from a future mezzanine addi-

tion.” The expected future expansion will increase the

sanctuary’s current seating capacity by 50 percent.

The team’s research and efforts paid off with the

creation of the sanctuary. I cannot overemphasize

how important the process we undertook was to the

outcome,” said Reymond. “We thought very hard about

our worship and theology and built a church that reflects

our beliefs.” n

— Marci Grossman

Photos courtesy of Chris Bornes

Kaster Architects, Inc.Architect

A.L. Huber, general contractorConstruction Manager/General Contractor

Design Supply Inc.Doors/Frames/Hardware

Liberty Erection Inc.Steel Erection

Rainbow Construction Underground Utilities, LLCSite Utility Contractor

Varco Pruden Building Inc., a BlueScope Steel CompanyStructural Steel Fabricators & Erectors

T E A M M EM B ER S

educational facilities

view our editions online at www.buildingofamerica.com

central plains edition educational facilities48

Dr. Guinter Kahn Addition to the Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library

at the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Omaha, Nebraska

Facts & FiguresOwner: University of Nebraska

at Omaha

Type of Project: An addition to an

existing library

Size: 31,000 square feet

Cost: $6.5 million (construction

and furnishing costs)

Construction Time: May 2005

- October 2006

The Need: To modernize and

expand the existing library to meet

students’ needs

The Challenge: Tying the addition

into the existing campus infra-

structure, keeping the library open

during construction and meeting

the tight schedule

The University of Nebraska at

Omaha’s decision to add onto the

north side of the existing Dr. C.C.

and Mabel L. Criss Library at the

University of Nebraska at Omaha

came from the need to update the

library to meet the student body’s

growing requirements for technol-

ogy and data communications. The

addition also addressed the increased

demand for amenities such as a café

and isolated group study rooms as

well as the university’s desire to attract

the community to the campus.

The three-story addition was con-

structed of brick and precast concrete

in order to complement the exist-

ing library structure and surround-

ing campus buildings. In addition

to student study spaces, the

expansion features stack space,

a new freight elevator, storage

and mechanical space, and a

centrally located lounge with a cof-

feehouse atmosphere.

“Two ideas that guided the design

of the project were to create student

spaces and fill them with natural

light,” said Nate Gieselman, project

architect for Alley Poyner Macchietto

Architecture, P.C., the project’s archi-

tect. Large amounts of glass were

used on the north face of the addi-

tion in order to allow soft light into

the spaces while providing great

views out of the library during the

day and into the library in the eve-

nings. “At night when the library

is lit from the inside, it turns into a

light-filled beacon that is impossible

to miss when driving by campus,”

said Gieselman. In addition, a sunken

landscaped garden was carved into

the north landscape, allowing light

into the library’s existing basement,

which was previously dark and did

not have any windows. Furthermore,

the roof of the addition was raised

Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, P.C.Architect

Hawkins ConstructionGeneral Contractor

Performance Contracting, Inc. (PCI)Drywall Contractor

Thiele Geotech, Inc.Consulting Engineers, Geotechnical Engineers, Engineering/Testing/Inspection, Environmental Consultants

T E A M M EM B ER S

Photos courtesy of Kessler Photography

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 49

above the roof of the existing build-

ing and windows were inserted in

this space.

“The three biggest challenges

during the project were tying into

a campus infrastructure that was

undersized for modern uses, keep-

ing the entire library open and

functional during construction,

and maintaining the tight sched-

ule required by the client,” said

Gieselman. Due to the small size of

the campus infrastructure and the

fact that it was located south of the

existing library building, the team

had trouble accessing from it the

north and encountered difficulties in

diverting storm water away from the

addition. Solutions to this problem

included utilizing piping that already

ran under the existing building and

adding a sump pit for large rain

events. The team was able to keep

the library open during the construc-

tion process by working together

to design a strategy that would be

the least disruptive to users and

scheduling certain activities during

semester breaks or off hours. In

order to meet the tight schedule,

foundation and structural steel con-

struction packages were generated

that allowed Hawkins Construction,

the project’s general contractor,

to begin construction before the

final drawings and design were

completed.

Since the project, library traf-

fic has risen since from approxi-

mately 2,000 visitors to more than

6,500 visitors per day. Stephen

R. Shorb, former dean of Criss

Library, said, “The new space

is highly attractive to students

and promotes our goal of bring-

ing the Omaha community to our

campus.” n

— Stacey Nathanson

central plains edition educational facilities50

Kansas Life Sciences Innovation Center at the University of Kansas Medical Center

Kansas City, KansasFacts & FiguresOwner: University of Kansas

Type of Project: A new research

facility

Size: 205,000 square feet

Cost: $51.3 million (total, plus $25

million for furnishings and research

equipment)

Construction Time: September

2003 - November 2006

The Need: A new facility to provide

expanded research capabilities for

the medical center

The Challenge: Connecting

the new building to the existing

mechanical, electrical and

plumbing systems

Established in 1866, the University

of Kansas has become a comprehen-

sive research and educational institu-

tion with an enrollment of almost

30,000 students. The University of

Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) is

a comprehensive medical complex

encompassing research, education,

patient care and community services.

As medical knowledge and technol-

ogy continue to evolve, more space

was needed to provide the most

modern biomedical research facility

available to be able to continue to

recruit world-class faculty and train

future medical practitioners.

The Kansas Life Sciences Innovation

Center at the University of Kansas

Medical Center is a five-story building

housing 80 laboratories and a scien-

tific conference center. According to

(Ed) Harold Phillips, office of the exec-

utive vice chancellor of KUMC, the

funding for this project was a com-

bined effort, with the state issuing

bonds and covering the first five years

of debt to allow the medical center

time to grow its funded research

before assuming the remaining 15

years of debt. This is part of a state-

wide effort to expand the research

capabilities at Kansas universities. As

the new center is considered a key

element in the regional expansion

of biomedical research, local foun-

dations covered the majority of the

funding for the research equipment.

The building has a concrete-frame

structure with a masonry, precast

stone and curtain wall exterior. The

penthouse is structural steel and con-

tains five air-handling units to help

maintain the laboratory-required

conditions. A pedestrian bridge con-

nects the new center to the medical

center, a library and an old research

building on the campus.

On the interior, the center space

was designed to provide an efficient

and flexible environment to support

the research process. “Laboratory

design is efficient and modular,

allowing for flexible assignments of

research teams, while ‘neighbor-

hoods’ of research offices, breakout

spaces and lab suites create dynamic

environments for multidisciplinary

teaming and the development

of focused research centers,” said

Thomas S. Harvath, AIA, principal for

Cannon Design, the project’s associ-

ate architect. Core support spaces

and shared equipment areas are cen-

trally located on each floor.

The exterior was also designed

to support the research process.

According to Geoff Moore, project

manager for Turner Construction

Company, the project’s general con-

tractor, there is a 2,500-square-foot

reflecting pool near the front entry. It

is intended as a space for researchers

to go to “reflect” on their research

and discoveries.

The team faced a challenge con-

necting to the existing mechanical,

electrical and plumbing (MEP) sys-

tems. The existing system was older

and located within the Applegate

Energy Center across the street.

Renovations to the utilities tunnel

had to be completed before new

connections could be made. In addi-

tion, there were also classes going on

nearby. To prevent disruption to the

classes, construction was scheduled

during “off hours,” around the edu-

cational programming.

The Kansas Life Sciences Innovation

Center at the University of Kansas is

already showing the expected results

of a facility designed to support bio-

medical research. It is continuing to

attract world-class research scientists

to the Kansas City area. n

— Marci Grossman

Photo courtesy of Michael Spillers

Treanor Architects P.A. (formerly GLPM Architects, Inc.)Architect of Record

Cannon DesignAssociate Architect

Turner Construction Company General Contractor

JPI Glass (Jim Plunkett Inc.)Glass & Glazing

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 51

Life Science and Technology Center, Richwood Valley Campus, Ozarks Technical

Community College

Ozark, MissouriFacts & FiguresOwner: The Junior College District

of Central Southwest Missouri,

d/b/a Ozarks Technical Community

College

Type of Project: A new educa-

tional facility

Size: 59,750 square feet

Cost: $9.4 million

Construction Time: September

2005 - November 2006

The Need: A science and

technology building for Ozarks

Technical Community College

The Challenge: Providing enough

room for the entire college

Ozarks Technical Community

College opened its doors to students

after residents of Springfield, Mo.,

and 13 surrounding public school

districts voted to establish a “com-

munity technical college” in the area

in 1990. Since that time, the col-

lege has remained an integral part

of Springfield and the surrounding

areas. Its success is proven by the

recent need for the college to build

another campus to meet enrollment

demands.

In 2005, the college broke ground

on 78 acres for its Richwood Valley

Campus, which houses the Life

Science and Technology Center.

School officials decided the new cam-

pus was necessary once they realized

the Springfield student population

was increasing enough to push the

existing campus beyond capacity.

The three-story, 60,000-square-

foot Life Science and Technology

Center, which completes the first

phase of construction for this site,

houses 20 classrooms; five science

laboratories; four computer laborato-

ries; a campus administrative, finan-

cial and student services area; an

academic achievement and disabil-

ity support center; a library/learning

resource center; a food service area;

13 faculty and adjunct offices; and a

mall area for student activity, study

and community events, according to

David Roling, vice president of admin-

istration and business for Ozarks

Technical Community College. In

all, it accommodates 2,000 students

and will provide enough room for

the entire college, which was a major

project challenge.

The facility has a conventionally

framed steel structure on concrete

spread footings and foundation sys-

tems. “The building is constructed of

steel, glass and limestone designed

to complement the natural environ-

ment. The full two-story glassed atri-

um area designed on a radius pres-

ents a distinct architectural feature

that can provide connectivity and

movement into additional campus

buildings,” said Roling. “This 78-acre

site offers a natural scenic habitat of

trees and vegetative species that will

be accentuated with the develop-

ment of bike/walking trails that will

become living labs in biological and

environmental studies.”

According to Roling, choosing the

right company to construct the cam-

pus was crucial to its success and

timely project completion. “[General

contactor] Walton Construction

exhibited very professional and valu-

able project staffing assignments that

delivered a complete project five

months in advance of the initially

scheduled completion time,” he said.

“Of particular mention is the clean

and safe construction management

of the project from start to finish.”

Gloria Roling, former business

development manager for Walton

Construction, credited project super-

intendent Norris Cornell with ensur-

ing the project would be built as

Ozarks Technical Community College

wished. She said, “The Walton team

truly feels that…the leadership of

Norris Cornell’s 40-plus years of

experience played a significant role

in the advanced completion of this

project.” n

— Kelly Skarritt

Photo courtesy of Gayle Babcock — Architectural Imageworks

Hagerman New Urbanism LLC Architect

Walton ConstructionGeneral Contractor

Larosa & Schober EngineeringElectrical Engineers

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains edition educational facilities52

South Omaha Campus Connector Building at Metropolitan Community College

Omaha, Nebraska

Facts & FiguresOwner: Metropolitan Community

College

Type of Project: A new connector

building

Size: 75,289 square feet

Cost: Approximately $19.75 million

Construction Time: December

2005 - August 2007

The Need: A multifunctional space

that links several existing buildings

The Challenges: Changing the

public’s perception of the school

Built on the historic Union

Stockyards in Omaha, Neb., the

South Omaha Campus Connecter

Building at Metropolitan Community

College creates both a physical and

metaphorical link to the city’s rich

past as well as its bright future.

The two-story, 75,289-square-foot

building serves “as the dynamic core

of the campus, providing classroom

space, computer laboratories, learn-

ing labs, faculty offices, a café/food

court, a commons area and stu-

dent services functions,” said Dr.

Jo Ann C. McDowell, president of

Metropolitan Community College.

The new building provides a link

among two existing college build-

ings (the Mahoney Building and the

Industrial Training Center Building)

and the South Omaha branch of the

Omaha Public Library system while

also serving as a transit hub for the

Metro Area Transit system.

“The connection between the two

[college] buildings created a new

‘spine’ on the south side of the cam-

pus and formed the nucleus for a

new pedestrian mall that now serves

as a gateway to the surrounding

community,” said Paul Jeffrey, AIA,

principal at Bahr Vermeer Haecker

Architects, the project’s architect.

“Pathways, lighting, extensive land-

scaping and lawn replaced the previ-

ous parking lots — and the parking

for the campus was moved further

north to allow students coming by

transit, by automobile or on foot to

have the same experiences of ‘arrival’

and welcome on the campus.”

A main driver behind the con-

nector building’s design was to pay

tribute to the area’s history of raising

livestock. The symbolic element is

manifested in two great brick walls

at the front entrance, which frame

the view of the still-existing Livestock

Exchange Building on the north.

A challenge the project team

faced was in the public’s opinion

of the school. The school was com-

monly seen as an educational facility

for car mechanics, and the project

team members wanted to change

that view and show the community

that the school was for much more,

including business and culinary/visu-

al arts. To that end, the new build-

ing is designed with the concept of

“education on display,” with glass

making up most of its north facade

so passersby could observe the stu-

dents, teachers and faculty at work.

“Use of glass, open spaces, pop-outs

on the building and walkways on the

exposed side of the building were all

a result of the desire to ‘show’ the

college to all passersby and let them

see some of the very ‘cool’ things the

college was doing,” said Jeffrey.

Completed in August 2007, this

unique, multifunctional building

highlights the school’s diverse pro-

grams while serving as a beacon to

community. n

— Natalie BlythePhotos courtesy of Assassi

Bahr Vermeer Haecker Architects Architect

D.R. Anderson Constructors Co.General Contractor

Peterson Contractors, Inc.Heavy Highway Contractor

studioINSITELandscape Architects/Urban Design/Planning

Thiele Geotech, Inc.Consulting Engineers, Geotechnical Engineers, Engineering/Testing/Inspection, Environmental Consultants

T E A M M EM B ER S

government

view our editions online at www.buildingofamerica.com

central plains edition government54

Fort Osage Education CenterSibley, MissouriFacts & Figures

Owner: Jackson County Parks &

Recreation

Type of Project: A new

education center

Size: 13,500 square feet

Cost: $5.9 million

Construction Time: April 2006

- June 2007

The Need: A facility to educate

the public on Fort Osage

The Challenge: Working on a

historic site

Located in Sibley, Mo., the

Fort Osage Education Center was

designed to educate the general

public on the rich history, signifi-

cance and heritage of Fort Osage,

which has been listed on the National

Register of Historic Places since 1961.

William Clark established the original

fort in 1808 following the Lewis and

Clark expedition, and the existing fort

is a partial reconstruction dating from

the 1950s.

The center allows Jackson County

to offer programs year round and

host the county’s fourth graders, who

visit the building as part of their cur-

riculum, according to Mike Vieux,

senior project manager for JE Dunn

Construction, the project’s construc-

tion manager. The facility includes a

primary museum area of Lewis and

Clark artifacts, a temporary exhibit

area, a classroom, a multimedia audi-

torium, and storage and conserva-

tion areas. The facility has received

the U.S. Green Building Council

(USGBC)’s Leadership in Energy

and Environmental Design (LEED®)

Platinum certification.

Situated on an 80-foot-high bluff

overlooking the Missouri River, the

two-story concrete building is partly

buried into the slope, which is an

effective passive strategy for keeping

the building cool in the summer,

warm in the winter and protected

from winds, according to Julie Miller,

AIA, associate for BNIM, the project’s

architect. To further protect against

thermal gains and losses, the roof is

planted with native buffalo grasses

and the glazing systems incorporate

energy-efficient glazing in a wood-

frame system.

The most innovative aspect of

the building, according to Gordon

Julich, superintendent of historic

sites/outdoor education for Jackson

County Parks & Recreation, the

project’s owner, is the geothermal

ground-source heating and cooling

system. Geothermal energy relies on

the earth’s natural thermal energy

to heat and cool buildings, which

makes it environmentally friendly and

extremely cost effective. Usage of

geothermal energy can add up to 70

percent in energy savings annually.

Fort Osage’s geothermal system is

embedded in its thermal floors and

ceilings, which aids in energy dis-

tribution and contributes to energy

efficiency.

According to Vieux, another

innovative feature was the use of

Agilia®, a cast-in-place product that is

self-consolidating, requiring no vibra-

tion. The mixture spreads into place

under its own weight, which saves

time and money.

The project’s greatest challenge

was building on a historic site,

according to Miller. During con-

struction, historically significant areas

were uncovered and immediately

cordoned off to allow archeologists

to mitigate and catalog any artifacts

that were found. Throughout the

project and regardless of site chal-

lenges, “the entire design, construc-

tion and management teams worked

well together,” said Julich.

The Fort Osage Education Center

serves as a bridge to the future

through its sustainable design strate-

gies and by educating visitors on the

history of the site. The facility offers a

superior learning environment, com-

plementing the reconstructed fort. n

— Stacey Nathanson

Photos courtesy of Copyright © Assassi

BNIM Architect

JE Dunn ConstructionConstruction Manager

Dimensional InnovationsDesign & Specialty Fabrication

Terracon Consultants Inc.Engineering/Testing/Inspection

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 55

Gardner Aquatic Center Expansion and Renovation

Gardner, Kansas

Facts & FiguresOwner/Developer: City of

Gardner, KS

Type of Project: Expansion and

renovation of an aquatic recreation

center

Size: 98,000 square feet

Cost: Approximately $3.8 million

Construction Time: August 2006

- May 2007

The Need: To improve an aquatic

center to better serve the needs of

a growing community

The Challenge: Making the center

profitable enough to pay for itself

The growing community of

Gardner, Kan., was underserved by

its existing aquatic center, and the

city ended up subsidizing it because

it was small, outdated and rarely

used by residents. The city’s park sys-

tem performed a needs-assessment

survey, and the results showed that

citizens were interested in a larger

and more updated facility. Because

of this, it became a top priority for

the city to expand and renovate the

Gardner Aquatic Center.

Completed in May 2007, the

improved aquatic center not only

serves the residents of Gardner, but

brings in tourists from surrounding

communities. Tom Saul, president of

Titan Construction Organization, Inc.,

the project’s construction manager/

general contractor, said, “This project

brought together the new aquatic

features that are being incorporated

into similar facilities.” The new fea-

tures include a beach-style area with a

water play station and slides for small

children, a separate toddler pool with

spray and play features, a three-slide

tower complex with body and raft

slide components, a family slide,

shade structures on the land and in

the water, and an area for water vol-

leyball and water basketball.

A priority for the project was to

attract users of all ages and swim-

ming levels. Staff members went out

to several other aquatic parks to see

what the patrons liked and what

worked well. According to Kevin

McElyea, PE, president of Aquatic

Design Consultants, Inc., the project’s

architect, the objectives for the project

were meeting the aquatic program-

ming needs of the growing Gardner

community, providing aquatic recre-

ation opportunities for all ages, limit-

ing or possibly eliminating the need

for an operational expenses subsidy,

and strictly maintaining the budget.

The research paid off, with the project

having less than one-half percent in

change orders.

The greatest challenge was making

the center profitable enough to pay

for itself in order to make the expense

of the improvements worthwhile. To

achieve this, the team got the com-

munity involved in taking ownership

of the project. Jeff Stewart, parks

and recreation director for the City

of Gardner said, “[We] worked with

the community from stage one. It

was important that the citizens were

able to provide input on what they

wanted.” In addition, the residents

were asked to pass a 10-year, one-

half-percent sales tax increase to fund

the project. “The vote passed with a

70-plus percent approval, indicating

a very strong support of the project,”

said Stewart. Even more indicative

of the success of the project was

that the facility ended its first season

with revenues in excess of operational

expenses.

The improved Gardner Aquatic

Center generates a strong sense of

community involvement and pro-

vides a great place for local families to

enjoy water activities. n

— Marci Grossman

Photos courtesy of Gardner Parks & Recreation — John Cash Photography

Aquatic Design Consultants, Inc.Architect

Titan Construction Organization, Inc.Construction Manager/ General Contractor

Continental Pools Inc.Pools & Spas

Design Supply Inc.Doors/Frames/Hardware

Terracon Consultants Inc.Engineering/Testing/Inspection

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains edition government56

General Omar N. Bradley Elementary School Addition and Renovation

Fort Leavenworth, KansasFacts & FiguresOwner/Developer: Fort

Leavenworth USD 207

Type of Project: An addition and

renovation to an elementary school

Size: 9,425 square feet (addition);

6,725 square feet (renovation)

Cost: $3.2 million

Construction Time: May 2006

- July 2007

The Need: To improve an existing

elementary school in order to

provide a high-quality education

with technological access for

students

The Challenge: Designing and

constructing the planetarium

Located on the Fort Leavenworth Military Reservation

in the Fort Leavenworth School District, General Omar N.

Bradley Elementary School has an annual turnover of 60

percent due to the students’ parents transitioning through

the base. An addition and renovation project helps the

school achieve its goal of providing the best education

and technological access to its students while preparing

them for the future.

The addition portion of the project included the

Thomas J. Devlin Educational Theater (a planetarium), a

music room, an art room and a science classroom. The

renovation consisted of converting the old art room, the

teachers’ lounge and the music room into three new

classrooms.

The project team was challenged by the design and

construction of the planetarium, which included a star-

projection system that projects a starry night scene with

more than 10,000 stars onto a ceiling or a wall. “The

chosen system of star projection was not available at the

onset of design and only became available near the very

end of construction,” said Kevin E. Schluckebier, AIA,

LEED AP, project architect for BCDM, Inc., the project’s

architect. “[This] project is the first location where this

latest projection technology has been implemented in the

United States.”

Construction wise, the challenge was related to the

planetarium’s dome. In a planetarium, the dome is slightly

tipped to make it more comfortable for the viewers to look

up at the ceiling. The concrete floor is also sloped, like in a

traditional theater, which complicated the dome’s instal-

lation process. “[We] had to install a level temporary floor

over the concrete floor so the dome could be installed

off rolling scaffolds,” said Tom Saul, president of Titan

Construction Organization, Inc., the project’s construction

manager/general contractor.

While the planetarium is located at the school, it was

designed to enhance the science curriculum throughout

the district. William Heinen, director of the physical plant

and chief financial officer for Fort Leavenworth USD 207,

the project’s owner/developer, said, “All the science

teachers at our junior high as well as our two elementary

schools [use the planetarium] and they have an integrated

curriculum. For example, they discuss molecules and then

go watch the movie ‘Molecularium,’ which puts you in

the driver’s seat of a molecule.”

The improvements at General Omar N. Bradley

Elementary School are part of the school’s continuing

goal to offer high-quality education in all aspects to stu-Photos courtesy of Kessler Photography

BCDM, Inc.Architect

Titan Construction Organization, Inc.Construction Manager/ General Contractor

Design Supply Inc.Doors/Frames/Hardware

JACOR Contracting, Inc.Waterproofing/Joint Sealant/Concrete & Masonry Restoration

JPI Glass (Jim Plunkett Inc.)Glass & Glazing

Renze DisplaySignage & Graphics

Salina Planing MillArchitectural Woodwork/ Casework/Millwork

Terracon Consultants Inc.Engineering/Testing/Inspection

T E A M M EM B ER S

dents. The realization of this goal, which is apparent in

the students’ high placements on achievement exams,

was met thanks to an experienced and dedicated project

team. “We have a great working relationship with both

BCDM and Titan,” added Heinen. “Everyone focuses on a

successful project for the benefit of children learning.” n

— Marci Grossman

http://www.renze.com

central plains edition government58

Kansas City Music Hall Renovation and Addition

Kansas City, MissouriFacts & FiguresOwner/Developer: City of

Kansas City, MO

Type of Project: Renovation and

expansion of an existing music hall

Cost: $13.4 million

Construction Time: July 2006

- March 2007

The Need: To update the space,

increasing accessibility and

functionality

The Challenge: Expanding the

building while maintaining its

history and architecture

Built in 1935, Kansas City Music

Hall is a beautiful historic build-

ing known for its Art Deco design.

Although it was an active entertain-

ment venue, it was limited due to its

age and configuration. A renovation

and expansion of the music hall

improved its functionality for both

the performers and the audience

while respecting its historic beauty.

The project’s main focus was to

expand the music hall’s stage in

order to make it deeper, wider and

taller, enabling the facility to accom-

modate Broadway’s largest touring

shows. Other aspects of the project

included backstage improvements,

realigned and reconfigured seating,

and a new penthouse section.

Current stage shows require more

technology and more space on the

stage than what was standard when

the music hall was originally built.

Therefore, this project began with

expanding the building from its origi-

nal height of 70 feet to 85 feet, which

is equivalent to more than seven sto-

ries. The project required removing

and reworking the building’s support

spaces, floors, structure and mechan-

ical systems. The result includes a 15-

square-foot expansion of the stage

area along with the improvements

to the backstage area, an update of

the rigging system, below-floor cable

trays, and improved stage flooring.

These updates will help the stage to

better accommodate the more exten-

sive set designs and large production

equipment of today’s shows.

Another goal of the project was

to improve the audience experience.

Therefore, the team increased aisle

depth in the main-floor seating area,

staggered seating and added more

aisle lighting to improve both the

comfort and accessibility for the audi-

ence, according to Deanna Richards,

communications specialist for the

capital improvements management

office of the City of Kansas City, the

project’s owner. The new configu-

ration increases handicap-accessible

seat locations, and the renovation

added handicap-accessible public

restrooms and integrated handicap-

accessible ramps in the lobby space.

The schedule was tight, but the

team’s organization kept the project

on track. Dale Duncan, AIA, principal

at Helix, the project’s associate archi-

tect, said the design, construction,

engineering and logistics all worked

at a diligent pace in order to meet

the needs and timeline denoted by

the client. “The project required cre-

ative solutions to the sequencing

of the removal of certain structural

elements and new construction of

the stage enclosure to allow the

stage shows to remain on schedule,”

he said.

Expanding the building while

respecting its historic architecture was

the major challenge of this project.

Douglas Moss, AIA, LEED AP, partner

at Holzman Moss Architecture, the

project’s architect of record, said,

“The exterior of the building is one

of the finest Art Deco masterpieces.

One of the most striking compo-

nents of the music hall’s elevation is

its symmetrical quality, which is the

hallmark of Art Deco buildings. With

the expansion of the stage house, an

element of asymmetry is added to

the facade.”

With all the amenities a modern

theater needs, the Kansas City Music

Hall will be able to continue to share

the experience of entertainment and

the arts with the community. n

— Marci GrossmanPhotos courtesy of Tom Kessler

Holzman Moss ArchitectureArchitect of Record

HelixAssociate Architect

The Konrath GroupConstruction Manager

Taylor Kelly, L.L.C.General Contractor

Carthage Marble CorporationMarble & Granite

Fordyce Concrete Company Inc.Concrete Ready-mix Supplier (Union)

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 59

Lewis & Clark FacilityFort Leavenworth, KansasFacts & Figures

Owner: U.S. Army

Facility Manager: The Directorate

of Public Works

at Fort Leavenworth

Type of Project: A new army

training building

Size: 420,000 square feet

Cost: $105 million (construction

costs)

Construction Time: May 2004

- January 2007

The Need: A more technically

advanced army training building

The Challenge: Maintaining the

budget and schedule

The Lewis & Clark Facility houses

the Command and General Staff

College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.,

replacing the original, outdated col-

lege-level army training building

that was built in 1959. The facil-

ity is used to train all majors in the

army on current warfighting issues.

“As the nation’s leading educational

training ground for top military lead-

ers, creating the finest in academic

environments was mandatory,”

said Doug O’Neill, senior project

manager for JE Dunn Construction,

the project’s construction manager/

general contractor.

“A very forward-thinking mind-

set was adopted to ensure techni-

cal system superiority,” said Ron

Reid, senior project manager for The

Benham Companies, the project’s

architect. To that end, each of the

building’s 96 classrooms incorpo-

rate state-of-the-art teaching sys-

tems that allow for future advances

in technology. Raised access floor-

ing is provided throughout the

classrooms, facilitating quick space-

change needs. Computer monitors

can lower into a trough in the

table when a group gets together

to collaborate, and two rooms can

be merged into one for combined

groups. Furthermore, a centralized

video network operations center

links all the classrooms together

and supports classroom training

and technical operations. “The new

Lewis & Clark Facility Center houses

the most technologically advanced

suite of classrooms in the United

States,” added Reid.

The building also contains spe-

cialized computer laboratories, a

2,000-seat auditorium, a 750-seat

auditorium, smaller meeting areas,

400 staff offices, student lounges, a

cafeteria and a 100-seat conference

room with presentation capabilities.

According to Reid, the building

blends modern technology with a

classic ambiance. “In contrast to

the high-tech classrooms, the rest

of the building has a traditional

look and feel. It reflects the proud

history of the U.S. Army and of

Fort Leavenworth,” Reid said. The

building’s exterior is a masonry brick

veneer with cast stone on metal

studs. Slate roofing is found over the

main entrance, while the remain-

der of the roofing system includes

structural standing-seam metal and

modified bituminous membrane.

Flooring finishes throughout the

interior include ceramic tile, cork

flooring and stone tile.

According to Christine M.

Hendzlik, senior project manager for

the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,

the project’s most innovative aspect

was the use of SidePlate®, a steel-

frame connection technology for

the structural steel that will prevent

progressive collapse in the event

of partial damage to the building.

SidePlate® is often used in California

for seismic issues, and in this case it

is a force-protection measure.

“The greatest challenges were

maintaining the schedule and stay-

ing within budget while still meet-

ing the quality standards set by the

end user,” said Hendzlik. In order to

overcome these challenges, exten-

sive preconstruction services, includ-

ing preplanning, cost estimating,

value engineering and constructa-

bility reviews, began one year prior

to construction start.

Completed in January 2007, the

Lewis & Clark Facility is a prominent

building in Fort Leavenworth that

provides a state-of-the-art facility for

training. n

— Stacey NathansonPhoto courtesy of Mike Sinclair

The Benham CompaniesArchitect

JE Dunn ConstructionConstruction Manager/ General Contractor

JPI Glass (Jim Plunkett Inc.)Glass & Glazing

Maderak Construction Co., Inc.Masonry

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains edition government60

Lee’s Summit Fire Station No. 7Lee’s Summit, Missouri

Facts & FiguresOwner: City of Lee’s Summit, MO

Type of Project: A new fire station

Size: 14,005 square feet

Cost: $2.7 million

Construction Time: May 2006

- March 2007

The Need: To provide a training

facility for the city’s firefighters

and fire protection for the

southwest region of the city

The Challenge: Finding the right

location

The City of Lee’s Summit, Mo.,

stretches for 64 square miles. “It’s a

big drive from the north end to the

south end,” said assistant fire chief

Rick Poeschl. In the event of a fire, it

is imperative that the fire department

have fire stations strategically placed

around the city to ensure that all resi-

dents have adequate fire protection

at their disposal.

Lee’s Summit Fire Station No. 7

allows the city to position itself to

increase its fire-protection abilities as

well as to provide a training facility

for its firefighters. The city realized

that its residents to the southwest

needed a nearby substation, and the

city wished to provide its own train-

ing facilities for its firefighters rather

than using neighboring fire depart-

ments’ training facilities. “The facility

is envisioned as a model for a future

city fire station design and function-

ality, including offering neighboring

fire departments the potential to train

as well,” said Jennifer Elliott, market-

ing director for Williams Spurgeon

Kuhl & Freshnock Architects, Inc., the

project’s architect.

Innovative aspects give the fire

station a unique identity. “The facility

was designed as a ‘no burn’ facility,

therefore allowing the fire depart-

ment to utilize the interior wall of

apparatus bays for additional train-

ing components, including ladder-

Photos courtesy of Mike Sinclair

Williams Spurgeon Kuhl & Freshnock Architects, Inc.Architect

Kraus-Anderson Construction CompanyGeneral Contractor

Bob D. Campbell and CompanyStructural Engineers

Confluence (formerly Brian Clark + Associates)Landscape Architects

Hoss & Brown Engineers, Inc.Mechanical Engineers

Performance Contracting, Inc. (PCI)Drywall Contractor

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 61

ing, balcony access and rescue, and

similar functions,” said Elliott.

Amenities include office space

for onsite fire administration, living

quarters for shift personnel, exercise

and classroom space, as well as the

department’s fire-training classroom

and training tower. Special care was

taken to blend the training tower into

the overall station design. “In order

to accomplish this task, the appa-

ratus bays became the transitional

element of the design,” said Elliott.

“As a planned feature, the apparatus

bays were raised to facilitate access

to the training tower from inside

the bays, therefore enhancing the

tower’s functionality and extending

the time-of-year use.” Elliott said the

facility’s tower and classroom will also

be used by the city’s police depart-

ment for training purposes.

Finding an ideal location was a

challenge for the project team. The

location needed to be close to resi-

dents, but far enough away so con-

struction would not be a nuisance.

To that end, the city chose an unde-

veloped parcel of land that allowed

the team to avoid construction near

developed subdivisions while provid-

ing fire protection to residents who

were located in more isolated areas.

“It will benefit response times to

those areas,” said Poeschl.

Elliott complimented the fire

department and the city govern-

ment for having the vision to prepare

the city for the future. “The Fire

Chief envisioned Fire Station No. 7

as the model and benchmark

for future facility renovation,

replacement and expansion,” she s

aid. “Without this vision, the

project would not have the depart-

ment of the city resource that it is

today.” n

— Kelly Skarritt

Photos courtesy of Mike Sinclair

central plains edition government62

New Southeast Community CenterKansas City, MissouriFacts & Figures

Owner/Developer: Kansas City

Parks & Recreation

Type of Project: A new

community center

Size: 46,755 square feet

Cost: $11.5 million (construc-

tion costs)

Construction Time: December

2006 - November 2008

The Need: To replace an outdated

community center that could no

longer meet the needs of residents

The Challenge: Choosing the best

location for the facility

Due to its outdated facilities, which were not large

enough to house all the community’s programs, the

existing Southeast Community Center in Kansas City,

Mo., was no longer meeting the needs of area residents.

Therefore, a new center was constructed. With a natato-

rium, a gymnasium, a fitness center with a running track,

a computer classroom and multipurpose spaces, the New

Southeast Community Center now has enough space to

offer more programs to more citizens.

A challenging aspect of the project was in choosing the

best location. The new community center’s site needed

to be in the same relative area as the facility it was replac-

ing since it was to serve the same community. After the

choice was made to locate the new facility in the Swope

Park area, the specific site needed to be selected. Kenneth

J. Miller, AIA, project manager for KAI Design & Build, the

project’s architect/MEP engineer, said, “One of the great-

est challenges for KAI was to select from six potential sites

within Swope Park. KAI had to establish — through public

meetings — advantages and disadvantages of each site

to reach a consensus on the final selection.”

The building’s design had to achieve two major goals.

First, it had to connect to and reflect the historic aspects

of Swope Park, which is the largest park in Kansas City

and was given to the city by philanthropist Col. Thomas

H. Swope in 1896. Community input was received

via multiple meetings with the city, community stake-

holders and the public to gather information about

the park. Native plants and trees found in the park,

such as Oklahoma Redbud, Red Oak, Sumac and Black-

eyed Susan, surround the building in order to tie the

places together.

The project’s second goal was to achieve the U.S.

Green Building Council (USGBC)’s Leadership in Energy

and Environmental Design (LEED®) silver certification.

Gail Mohr, project manager for Titan Construction

Organization, Inc., the project’s construction manager/

general contractor, said, “Having a sound plan for achiev-

ing your LEED® goals is essential, in conjunction with each

of your contractors understanding how their roles play a

major part.”

Sustainability was incorporated throughout the project,

including in its landscaping, which features rain gardens

(shallow, basin-shaped gardens with deep-rooted grasses

and flowers), bioswales (landscape elements designed to

sift the silt and pollution from storm water), and native

plants that required more work and expense up front, but

are much better for the environment and have less main-

tenance in the long run. Michael Ashley, CLARB, principal

for Michael Ashley & Associates, LLC, the project’s land-

scape architect, said, “Native (xeriscape) areas, including

rain gardens and bioswales, are new ideas for the public,

so the success of this project is dependent on communi-

cation, education and awareness for using native plants

and filtering the storm water.”

Thanks to its thoughtful design, the project contributes

to the community by providing a place for recreation

while helping to bolster Kansas City’s own 10,000 Rain

Gardens initiative, which was created to encourage

developers, businesses and individuals to help minimize

and prevent pollution in storm water as well as to better

handle the excess rain and flooding that occurs in this

area of the country. n

— Marci Grossman

Photos courtesy of Kansas City Parks and Recreation

KAI Design & BuildArchitect/MEP Engineer

e designAssociate Architect

Michael Ashley & Associates, LLCLandscape Architect

Titan Construction Organization, Inc.Construction Manager/General Contractor

Byers Glass & Mirror, Inc.Glass & Glazing

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 63

The Phelps Youth Pavilion at the Waterloo Center for the Arts

Waterloo, IowaFacts & FiguresOwner: City of Waterloo, IA

Type of Project: An addition to an

existing arts center

Size: 39,000 square feet

Cost: $7 million (total)

Construction Time: October 2005

- March 2008

The Need: To provide a proper and

expanded space for the center’s

nationally acclaimed junior art

gallery program

The Challenge: Infusing the building

with a creative, child-like spirit while

staying within a limited budget,

and reconciling the needs and

expectations of the project’s owner

with the requirements of the

municipality

When the Waterloo Center for

the Arts in Waterloo, Iowa, started

its junior art gallery (JAG) program

in the 1960s, the center focused

on providing integrated program-

ming for area schools. Since then,

the program has taken off and

now has a proper home in the

center’s new 39,000-square-foot

Phelps Youth Pavilion.

“The whole impetus for the

youth pavilion addition was to pro-

vide a proper and expanded space

for our nationally acclaimed JAG

program,” said Cammie Scully,

director of the Waterloo Center

for the Arts. The youth pavilion is

a wonderful asset for the commu-

nity and the entire state of Iowa.

Built as an addition to the exist-

ing arts center, the youth pavilion

includes three junior art galleries;

a permanent collection gallery; an

education wing with a ceramics

studio; a visual arts studio; a digi-

tal arts laboratory and workshop;

management facilities; a storefront

art store; and Grant’s Farm, a

place where children can milk a

life-like cow, bale soft-sculpture

hay in a play barn or learn to draw

a chicken.

Along with providing space

for the JAG program, the youth

pavilion also addressed several

critical needs of the arts center,

including offering an interactive

learning experience to foster chil-

dren’s appreciate of art, creating a

sense of excitement while staying

within a budget of a municipal

facility, and making the addition

stand out and attract new visi-

tors without overwhelming the

existing building, said Michael

Broshar, FAIA, project architect for

INVISION Architecture, the proj-

ect’s architect.

The team worked especially

hard to give the art store a unique

and welcoming feel that would

garner attention. According to

Broshar, the art store is shaped like

a glass drum and was conceived as

a beacon, drawing new visitors to

the center. “This was achieved by

placing the volume adjacent to the

new entrance and making it highly

visible from a particular distance

due to the color-shifting lights

that…make its rotunda glow like

an oversized lantern, in particular

at night,” he said.

In designing and constructing

the addition, Susong said the team

was challenged to infuse the build-

ing with a creative, child-like spirit

while staying within a limited bud-

get and to reconcile the needs

and expectations of the project’s

owner with the requirements of

the municipality, which financed

the project. This challenge was

solved by donations from the com-

munity. Scully said that the project

had 817 donors, including individ-

uals; foundations; businesses; city,

state and federal governments;

and school children, who raised

$2,500 in change.

Scully said, “It’s been a long and

colorful journey for the art center’s

staff and commission, but now we

are proud and excited to bring a

40-year dream to reality.” n

— Natalie Blythe

INVISION ArchitectureArchitect

Cardinal Construction Inc.General Contractor

Blackhawk Automatic Sprinklers, Inc.Fire Protection

Gilmor & Doyle LTDMechanical Engineers

Peterson Contractors, Inc.Heavy Highway Contractor

T E A M M EM B ER S

“It’s been a long and

colorful journey for the

art center’s staff and

commission, but now we

are proud and excited to

bring a 40-year dream

to reality.”

Cammie Scully, director of the Waterloo Center for the Arts

central plains edition government64

Richard Bolling Federal Building RenovationKansas City, Missouri

Facts & FiguresOwner: U.S. General Services

Administration

Type of Project: Renovation of an

existing building

Size: 200,000 square feet (Phase

I); 200,000 square feet (Phase II);

400,000 square feet (Phase III);

400,000 square feet (Phase IV)

Cost: $24 million (Phase I); $26

million (Phase II); $72 million

(Phase III, subject to change);

$94 million (Phase IV, subject to

change)

Construction Time: March 2002

- November 2003 (Phase I); August

2005 - April 2007 (Phase II); June

2007 - October 2010 (anticipated

completion for Phase III); 2009

- 2014 (anticipated completion for

Phase IV)

The Need: To modernize a circa

1963 building, giving its tenants

energy-efficient, class A office

spaces while providing enhanced

security features

The Challenge: Renovating an

occupied building

The Richard Bolling Federal

Building, built in 1963 in Kansas

City, Mo., was in need of modern-

izations that would give its tenants

energy-efficient, class A office spaces

while providing enhanced securi-

ty features. The building’s result-

ing renovation, which emphasized

improving the workplace environ-

ment for its 4,000 employees, has

become a standard model of excel-

lence for the improvement of large

and complex federal facilities in the

region and across the country.

The extensive project began

in March 2002 and is slated for

completion in 2014. All 18 floors

of the building are being reno-

vated through a detailed, systematic

stacking plan that allows the ten-

ants’ work to continue while the

building functions at 80 percent

occupancy. The modernization of Photos courtesy of Mike Sinclair

Helix Architect

JE Dunn ConstructionGeneral Contractor Dimensional InnovationsDesign & Specialty Fabrication

T E A M M EM B ER S

the building is also in design compli-

ance with the U.S. Green Building

Council (USGBC)’s Leadership in

Energy and Environmental Design

(LEED®) Silver certification, accord-

ing to Mary Ruwwe, regional com-

missioner for the U.S. General

Services Administration (GSA), the

project’s owner.

Selective demolition was execut-

ed prior to construction. The team

then set about fulfilling new struc-

tural requirements for the building

and performing asbestos abate-

ment in several areas. The team

performed abatement activities at

night by constructing containment

barriers so the public air would not

be contaminated, according to JE

Dunn Construction, the project’s

general contractor.

A primary design goal was to

reestablish a relationship with

Cherry Street, which at one time

passed through the building site at

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 65

the present axis of the north/south

building corridor, according to Dale

R. Duncan, AIA, principal at Helix,

the project’s architect. This involved

creating a pedestrian-oriented

“street” along the existing first-

floor corridor of the building with

new aluminum and glass entrances

to front retail and tenant spaces.

Pedestrians will be able to stand on

Cherry Street and look completely

through to the other side of the

building. Each floor in the building

was also branded with a tree species

unique to Missouri.

“The complex nature of the

moves and move coordination to

keep the building at a high-occu-

pancy level with highly satisfied

tenants is probably our greatest

challenge,” Ruwwe said. Partnering

and communication efforts have

included conducting 360 reviews

to ensure the safety of the proj-

ect team members, maintaining a

project website and posting daily

updates, and alerting tenants when

noise may pose an issue to their

work environment. “Construction

work hours, schedule and phasing

have been accomplished in a safe

manner with minimal disruption to

the building tenants,” said Duncan.

Thanks to the careful coordina-

tion of all the team members, this

project has been highly successful

so far and will serve the commu-

nity well in the future. Ruwwe said,

“Investing in the building’s mod-

ernization will ensure the tenants

will have a highly functional and

efficient facility while allowing GSA

to retain a solid performing asset for

years to come.” n

— Stacey Nathanson

Photo courtesy of Mike Sinclair

healthcare facilities

view our editions online at www.buildingofamerica.com

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 67

Westside Family Medicine and Urgent CareCedar Rapids, Iowa

Facts & FiguresOwner: Edgewood Market, LLC, a

subsidiary of Hunter Companies

Type of Project: A replacement

family-medicine and urgent-care

clinic

Size: 10,535 square feet

Construction Time: Late 2005

- December 2006

The Need: To replace a small

clinic that was poorly located with

a larger building that provided

better access for patients

The Challenge: Balancing the

design goals with the budget

Westside Family Medicine and

Urgent Care, a division of St. Luke’s

Hospital in the Iowa Health System,

had outgrown its existing build-

ing. In addition, the building’s loca-

tion had poor visibility and limited

access for an urgent-care facility.

With the goal of creating a com-

fortable, healing environment for

patients and their families, owner

Edgewood Market, LLC, a subsidiary

of Hunter Companies, determined a

new clinic was needed.

The clinic’s new location in

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, adjacent to the

Westside Mall in a retail develop-

ment, made it an ideal choice for

increased visibility and accessibility

due to the volume of traffic in the

area. A layout had to be designed

that would fit the new structure

onto the site while meeting the

needs of the clinic’s five family-med-

icine providers and two urgent-care

providers. Additionally, since the

clinic is located in a retail develop-

ment, “it needed to have the right

contextual fit with attractive views

from all sides,” said Greg Kanz,

APR, of Shive-Hattery, the project’s

architect.

According to Brad Thomason,

project architect and designer for-

merly with Shive-Hattery, the proj-

ect’s architect, the design directive

goal was to develop a prototype

aesthetic for the clinic using the cur-

rent appearance, colors and materi-

als of St. Luke’s Hospital. This proto-

type could then be carried forward

into future projects. According to

Thomason, a positive image con-

veying trust, commitment and sta-

bility was important to the facility as

the very nature of a patient’s visit to

a clinic implies insecurity with his or

her health or the health of a family

member.

Balancing the design goals

with the budget was challenging,

according to Thomason. In order

to solve this challenge, the team

members used different materials

than originally planned to achieve

the look they wanted while staying

on budget. The final result utilizes

the prominent brick color and pat-

terning, window material color, and

familiar arches of St. Luke’s hospital

in the design.

The new location of the Westside

Family Medicine and Urgent Care

clinic is much more visible and

accessible for patients than the old

site. Tom Kieffer, director of facil-

ity management for Iowa Health

Physicians, said, “The walk-in clinic

business for those patients needing

to be seen without an appointment

has nearly doubled since moving to

this location.” n

— Stacey Nathanson

Shive-HatteryArchitect

Hunter CompaniesDesign-build General Contractor

Dave Schmitt Construction Co., Inc.Excavating & Grading Contractor

Hawkeye ElectricElectrical Contractors

T E A M M EM B ER S

Photos courtesy of Mike Sinclair/Shive-Hattery Architecture-Engineering

central plains edition healthcare facilities68

Barton County Memorial HospitalLamar, Missouri

Facts & FiguresOwner: Barton County, MO

Type of Project: A new hospital

Size: 53,150 square feet

Cost: $12.7 million (construction

costs); $18 million (total)

Construction Time: October 2006

- November 2007

The Need: A new hospital to

support modern healthcare needs

The Challenge: Providing the

facility with emergency power so it

could be a place of refuge for the

community

Built in 1949, the original Barton County hospital

facility was aging and in poor repair. The HVAC system

was unreliable, the plumbing was weak, the elevators

were obsolete and repair parts were hard to find. In

addition, the hospital’s design as an inpatient facility

did not support today’s healthcare needs. Therefore,

the county determined a new facility was needed in

order to properly function in today’s outpatient world.

The new single-story Barton County Memorial

Hospital features 25 private rooms with large family,

patient and nursing areas. In addition, the facility con-

tains physical, cardiac and occupational therapy spaces;

laboratory, radiology, surgery and inpatient rooms; an

emergency room (ER); and a specialty clinic.

One of the main drivers of the facility’s design

was to include high-quality building materials and

systems by investing heavily in the higher front-end

costs, such as providing additional square footage for

private patient rooms and the hospitality-oriented

interiors, according to Steve Moore, AIA, ASHE, vice

president of Hoefer Wysocki Architects, LLC, the proj-

ect’s architect. Additionally, all the departments are

arranged to maximize traffic flow and to expand with-

out a major redesign.

“I believe the most unique feature is the hospital’s

‘look’ or ‘style,’” said Rudy Snedigar, CEO of Barton

County Memorial Hospital. “Most people say it has a

‘lodge’ look.” Designed to create an atmosphere that is

friendly and relaxing, the facility certainly does not feel

like a typical hospital. Its exterior is a blend of cultured

stone, exterior insulation finish system (EIFS), aluminum

windows, composition shingles and a thermoplastic

polyolefin (TPO) roof. The entrance and main lobby

feature wood beams throughout. The lobby even con-

tains a large stone fireplace and a baby grand piano.

The owner, design team and construction team

worked together in an integrated delivery process,

according to Derek Kautio, project manager for JE

Dunn Construction, the project’s construction manag-

er. Collectively, the team was able to resolve issues early

in the design development phase, which saved time

and money. In addition, subcontractors were invited to

offer their input into possible savings and options that

varied from alternative material selections to changes in

design details. The end result was that the owner was

able to achieve all the desired goals without needing

additional financing, according to Kautio.

One of the greatest challenges on the project,

according to Moore, was in providing the facility with

emergency power so it could be a place of refuge for

the community during extreme weather situations. In

order to overcome this challenge, the supply ducts of

the two main HVAC units were tied together so if one

unit completely went down, the entire building could

still be supplied with heating and cooling.

Despite initial concerns about the project, this and

other innovations make the hospital an efficient facility

that will serve its staff, patients and visitors for years

to come. “The community was skeptical when we

first started talking about building a new hospital,”

explained Snedigar. After construction began and

people could see what the hospital would look like,

the community’s opinion changed from skepticism to

pride. He said, “They didn’t think they would ever have

a local hospital that looked so grand.” n

— Stacey Nathanson

Photo courtesy of Mike Sinclair

Hoefer Wysocki Architects, LLCArchitect

JE Dunn ConstructionConstruction Manager

Doherty Steel Inc.Structural Steel Fabricators & Erectors

Performance Contracting, Inc. (PCI)Drywall Contractor

Shafer Kline & Warren, Inc.Consulting Engineers

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 69

Saunders Medical Center Wahoo, NebraskaFacts & Figures

Owner: Saunders County, NE

Type of Project: A replacement

medical center and long-term

care facility

Size: 93,000 square feet

Cost: $22.1 million

(construction costs)

Construction Time: November

2005 - November 2007

The Need: A new healthcare

facility to support the community’s

needs

The Challenge: Dealing with

extreme weather conditions and

soil-related issues

Saunders County’s hospital had

become outdated and could no lon-

ger support the community’s health-

care needs. So, a new state-of-the-art

facility was built that would be on a

level playing field with facilities locat-

ed in Omaha and Lincoln, according

to Earl Sheehy of Saunders Medical

Center.

The new Saunders Medical Center

consists of a 60,000-plus-square-

foot replacement hospital with an

attached 30,000-plus-square-foot,

long-term care facility located on

an 18-acre site. “This is the first

critical-access replacement hospi-

tal in Nebraska and has set a high

benchmark as a state-of-the-art facil-

ity,” said Steve Moore, AIA, ASHE,

vice president for Hoefer Wysocki

Architects, the project’s architect.

“The main driver was to provide

an operationally efficient facility

where the minimum of current staff

could multifunction in other spaces

until the patient census increased

to staff those areas independently,”

said Moore. The emergency room

(ER) is set up to overflow into the

prep/post-anesthesia care unit

(PACU) in extreme emergency and

the operating room (OR) can be

used for Caesarean sections

and emergency trauma. All the

departments were designed with

expanded capabilities.

Additional features include sepa-

rated public and private staff corridors

and hospitality-oriented interiors. The

joining of the hospital and long-term

care facility allowed the sharing of

common spaces in a centralized loca-

tion, such as the kitchen and dining

areas. It also reduced construction

costs since the mechanical and elec-

trical equipment serve both facilities.

The staff was able to customize

their departments and achieve high-

level operational efficiencies through

live design charrettes, according to

Moore. Plans were projected on the

walls, and the design of each depart-

ment could be explored from every

angle. “As the staff became actively

involved in the design, new and

creative ideas flowed from them, and

their understanding of the design and

ownership of the project increased

accordingly,” he said.

According to Kent Shrack, senior

project manager for United Excel

Corporation, the project’s construc-

tion manager, the project was inno-

vative in that the majority of the work

was contracted on a best value, per-

formance-based system. This system

allowed the best value to be deter-

mined, which was not necessarily the

low bid. The contractors addressed

all items that were cost prohibitive

and also considered methods that

could be utilized during construction

that would provide cost savings. Each

trade could review the work it was

best versed in performing and show

what changes could produce a bet-

ter product, often with a lower price.

“After all of the reviews, assessments

and interviews were completed, the

cost changes were made and the

final pricing was less than the sum of

all original low bids,” added Shrack.

Weather conditions, which were

“unseasonably extreme,” said

Shrack, presented the greatest chal-

lenges. The soil material was very

moisture sensitive and required spe-

cial methods to obtain ideal compac-

tion and moisture.

Completed in November 2007, the

new medical center and long-term

care facility have provided much-

needed, state-of-the-art healthcare

services for the community of Wahoo

and Saunders County. Additionally,

the medical center has the ability to

expand and grow as needed. n

— Stacey Nathanson

Photos courtesy of Mike Sinclair

Hoefer Wysocki Architects Architect

United Excel Corporation Construction Manager

Terracon Consultants Inc.Engineering/Testing/Inspection

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains edition healthcare facilities70

Stormont-Vail HealthCare Cotton-O’Neil Cancer Center

Topeka, KansasFacts & FiguresOwners: Stormont-Vail HealthCare

Type of Project: A new cancer

center

Size: 31,500 square feet

Cost: $5.1 million (total)

Construction Time: August 2005

- January 2007

The Need: To consolidate the

outpatient cancer services of

Stormont-Vail Regional Health

Center and Cotton-O’Neil Clinic

The Challenge: Creating a

comprehensive treatment center

that would be inviting and healing

for patients

The Stormont-Vail HealthCare

Cotton-O’Neil Cancer Center

is designed to treat every cancer

patient as a whole person and to

meet a person’s physical, spiritual

and emotional needs so he or she has

a better chance at putting cancer into

remission. “Cancer is a disease that

affects everyone, and Stormont-Vail

HealthCare’s Cotton-O’Neil Cancer

Center was designed with that in

mind,” said David Cunningham, vice

president of facilities and construc-

tion for Stormont-Vail HealthCare,

the project’s owner.

Prior to the new center’s construc-

tion, cancer treatments were divided

between Stormont-Vail Regional

Health Center and the Cotton-O’Neil

Clinic. In order to provide top-qual-

ity care, it was essential to consoli-

date all stages of cancer treatment

in a single location. “[The project’s]

purpose is to create a facility that

houses the prevention, diagnosis,

treatment and research for cancer,”

said Cunningham. “Patients at the

clinic have access to some of the

most advanced technology available

in the country, the latest in research

and genetic counseling, social work

services, support groups, nutrition

services, an educational library, and

pastoral care.”

By streamlining medical oncology

and radiology treatments, provid-

ing state-of-the-art technology, and

offering a tranquil setting for cancer

treatments, the clinic was built to

give patients hope. “From education

to diagnostics to treatment, a holistic

approach has been taken to create a

single place where the community

can utilize the latest in technology,”

said Cunningham.

Creating a comprehensive treat-

ment center that would be invit-

ing and healing for patients was

a challenge, but the team worked

together to incorporate creative and

unique features that contribute to the

intended atmosphere. One such fea-

ture is the “night sky” dome that was

created in the roof of the building

above the center’s linear accelerator,

which is a high-dose radiation treat-

ment system. Ferrell Construction of

Topeka, Inc., the project’s general

contractor, threaded hundreds of

fiber-optic wires into the dome, which

give it the effect of the night sky.

“The stars were arranged to mimic

a summer’s night sky in Kansas, with

the power system and fiber optics

allowing the stars to twinkle and even

incorporate the occasional shooting

star,” said Cunningham.

Stormont-Vail credited the exper-

tise and experience of architect

HMN Architects, Inc. and Ferrell

Construction for the success of the

center. “This project team has been

providing services to Stormont-Vail

for 10 years — same firms, same

personnel,” said Cunningham. “The

architectural team at HMN Architects

is well known for creating sustainable

facilities that embrace the character

of their communities and the people

inside them.” n

— Kelly Skarritt

Photos courtesy of Michael Spillers

HMN Architects, Inc. Architect

Ferrell Construction of Topeka, Inc.General Contractor

Midwest Coating, Inc.Roofing Contractors

St. Joseph Truss Inc.Manufacturing

T E A M M EM B ER S

central plains editionwww.buildingofamerica.com 71

The Center for Advanced Heart Care at The University of Kansas

Kansas City, Kansas Facts & FiguresOwner: The University of Kansas

Hospital Authority

Type of Project: A new cardiac

care facility

Size: 245,000 square feet

Cost: $57 million (construction

costs)

Construction Time: November

2003 - August 2006

The Need: A specialized

location for the treatment of

cardiac diseases

The Challenge: Working on an

extremely tight site

The Center for Advanced Heart

Care at The University of Kansas was

built in order to provide a specialized

location for the comprehensive treat-

ment of cardiac disease.

The project consists of a five-

story-plus-penthouse building and a

52,884-square-foot, two-level parking

garage that is partially below ground.

The facility includes two trauma

rooms, 23 emergency department

(ED) rooms, a computerized tomog-

raphy (CT) scanner, radiology rooms,

four catheterization laboratories, one

electrophysiology (EP) lab and one EP

procedure room, surgical suites, an

eight-bed critical care unit (CCU), a

16-bed intensive care unit (ICU), and

48 inpatient rooms, along with shell

space for future expansion. The cen-

ter also features 22 outpatient rooms,

a patient education library and a café

that serves high-end coffee and light

lunches. The project also included a

new ED on the ground floor that will

integrate the new facility with the

existing hospital.

Further connecting the new center

with the existing hospital is a public

promenade that serves as the entry

to the Center for Advanced Heart

Care. Additionally, there are bridges

between the clinical areas on levels

two and three of the buildings. The

two-story promenade is one of the

most unique features of the facility,

according to Jon Jackson, senior vice

president, chief administrative officer

for The University of Kansas Hospital

Authority. The open promenade has

curving glass walls and light-filled

spaces and features high-end finishes,

including epoxy terrazzo floors, gran-

ite columns, slate walls and wood

paneling on the walls and soffits. The

front corner tower of the new center

stands above the rest of the build-

ing and is highly visible when lit at

night. “The five-story lighted beacon

can be seen for several miles,” noted

Jackson.

According to Alan Sneed, prin-

cipal for RTKL Associates Inc., the

project’s architect, drivers behind the

facility’s design included technology

and zoned nursing areas. “The center

is designed around technology that

can help provide the most advanced

heart care in the Midwest,” he said.

One example is the integrated oper-

ating room (OR), which can access

the latest video, communications and

information technology for the most

current patient information and digi-

tal test results. Furthermore, decen-

tralized nursing stations are located

between every two patient rooms

in order to enhance efficiency and

reduce caregiver steps.

The tight site posed the greatest

challenge on the project, accord-

ing to JE Dunn Construction, the

project’s construction manager.

Generators were relocated twice in

order to accommodate construction.

The tower crane could not be erected

to reach as long as necessary, so

other techniques were used to place

concrete that could not be reached,

including utilizing conveyors to

pour corner columns. Furthermore,

improvements to the road on the

east side of the facility had to be

completed in phases to maintain

continuous access to the existing

hospital and parking garage.

To save time, the team fast tracked

the schedule. The project consisted

of eight bid packages, and the first

footings were built off of sketches

from the design team. According to

JE Dunn, several alternative materi-

als were suggested during bid time

to save money. The owner decided

not to accept those substitutions and

chose materials that were more costly

but more durable; therefore they

would be more cost effective over the

life of the building.

Now complete, The Center for

Advanced Heart Care provides a

single, state-of-the-art location for

the specialized treatment of cardiac

diseases, bringing together some of

the region’s best cardiologists and

cardiovascular, thoracic and vascular

surgeons. n

— Stacey Nathanson

Photo courtesy of ©Jeffrey Totaro/Esto

ORSI Owner’s Representative

RTKL Associates Inc.Architect

JE Dunn Construction Construction Manager

Landmark Engineering GroupCivil Engineers

P1 Group, Inc.Mechanical Contractor

Performance Contracting, Inc. (PCI)Drywall Contractor

T E A M M EM B ER S

networksourcebook

73networksourcebook

DLR Group7290 W. 133rd St.Overland Park, KS 66213913-897-7811fax: 913-897-8333kmartin@dlrgroup.comwww.dlrgroup.com

Company’s Specialties: Architecture, engineering, planning, interiors

Client References:• Hilton Hotels• Sunlight Saunas• Overton Hotel

and Conference Center• Hotel Indigo• The Spa Tuscano

Arch

itect

s

KAI Design & Build211 N. Broadway, Ste. 1900St. Louis, MO 63102314-241-8188fax: 314-241-0125mrkt@kai-db.comwww.kai-db.com

Company’s Specialties: Architecture, engineering, construction services and building information modeling

Client References:• Kauffman Stadium Renovation• Chillicothe Women’s Reception &

Diagnostic Center• Gateway Transportation Center• Harris-Stowe State University Early

Childhood & Parent Education Center

• C.J. Peete HOPE VI Redevelopment

KAI Design & Build211 N. Broadway, Ste. 1900St. Louis, MO 63102314-241-8188fax: 314-241-0125mrkt@kai-db.comwww.kai-db.com

Company’s Specialties: Architecture, engineering, construction services and building information modeling

Client References:• Kauffman Stadium Renovation• Chillicothe Women’s Reception &

Diagnostic Center• Gateway Transportation Center• Harris-Stowe State University Early

Childhood & Parent Education Center

• C.J. Peete HOPE VI Redevelopment

Lockard Companies4501 Prairie Pkwy.Cedar Falls, IA 50613319-277-8000fax: 319-277-8080rsmith@lockardonline.comwww.lockardonline.com

Company’s Specialties: Real estate development, construction and commercial brokerage

Client References:• New Braunfels Town Center at

Creekside• SAIC-Frederick• Cedar Valley Medical Specialists, P.C.• Target Corp.• Barnes & Noble Booksellers

Cons

truc

tion

Man

ager

s/Ge

nera

l Con

trac

tors

con

t.

Neumann Brothers, Inc.1435 Ohio St.Des Moines, IA 50314515-243-0156fax: 515-243-0165build@neumannbros.comwww.neumannbros.com

Company’s Specialties: Since 1912, Neumann Brothers, Inc. has been building and restoring some of Iowa’s finest landmarks.

Client References:• Des Moines University Student

Education Center• Grinnell College Joe Rosenfield ’25

Center• Iowa Speedway• Iowa State Capitol Restoration/

Renovation• Science Center of Iowa

Portfolio Kitchen & Home8027 State Line Rd.Kansas City, MO 64114816-363-5300fax: 816-363-5307geri@portfolio-home.comwww.portfolio-home.com

Company’s Specialties: Residential and commercial design and space planning, custom and semi-custom cabinetry, multi-unit product specifying and consultation — “style makers”

Client References:• 4646 Broadway• One Park Place• 5 Delaware Lofts• 41 Penn Condominiums• 2900 Fairway Condominiums

Cons

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Landmark Engineering Group11020 N.W. Ambassador Dr., Ste. 100Kansas City, MO 64153816-505-2523fax: 816-505-2521mark.johnson@landgroup.bizwww.landgroup.biz

Company’s Specialties: Civil engineering, landscape architecture, land planning and urban design

Client References:• RTKL Associates Inc.• University of Kansas• JE Dunn Construction• DLR Group

Civi

l Eng

inee

rs

Martin & Whitacre Surveyors & Engineers, Inc.1508 Bidwell Rd.Muscatine, IA 52761563-263-7691fax: 563-263-0048info@martin-whitacre.comwww.martin-whitacre.com

Company’s Specialties: Civil engineering, land surveying, 3D laser scanning services

Client References:• HNI Corporation• MUSCO Lighting• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock

Island District• Stanley Consultants, Inc. • Matrix Environmental, Inc.

Gibbens Drake Scott, Inc.9201 E. 63rd St., Ste. 100Raytown, MO 64133816-358-1790fax: 816-358-2367tscott@gdsengr.comwww.gdsengr.com

Company’s Specialties: Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and telecommunication infrastructure engineering

Client References:• Sprint Nextel – Enterprise Real Esate• National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration• Gould Evans• MC Lioness Realty Group• Bell/Knott & Associates

Shafer Kline & Warren, Inc.11250 Corporate Ave.Lenexa, KS 66219913-888-7800fax: 913-888-7868tsmith@skw-inc.comwww.skw-inc.com

Company’s Specialties: Civil/mechanical/electrical/structural engineering, land surveying, landscape architecture

Client References:• Cerner• Pulte Homes of Greater Kansas City• Developers Diversified Realty Corp.• Briarcliff Development Company• Super Market Developers Inc.

Cons

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Dimensional Innovations3421 Merriam Ln.Overland Park, KS 66203913-384-3488fax: 913-384-3477info@dimin.comwww.dimin.com

Company’s Specialties: Multi- disciplinary design and specialty fabrication of installations and environments

Client References:• JE Dunn Construction• McCown Gordon Construction LLC• Turner Construction Company• Walton Construction• Turner Special Projects

Terracon Consultants Inc.18001 W. 106th St., Ste. 300Olathe, KS 66061800-593-7777fax: 913-599-0574corporate@terracon.comwww.terracon.com

Company’s Specialties: Geotechnical, environmental, construction materials engineering and testing; and facilities services

Client References:• Sprint Center• Qwest Center Omaha• I-64 Design-build• Tower at First National Center• Iowa Events Center

Cons

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75networksourcebook

Thiele Geotech, Inc.13478 Chandler Rd.Omaha, NE 68138-3716402-556-2171fax: 402-556-7831bpugh@thielegeotech.comwww.thielegeotech.com

Company’s Specialties: Consulting engineering firm specializing in geotechnical, material and environmental engineering

Client References:• Creighton University Living and

Learning Center• Creighton University Student

Housing• Caterpillar Claas America

Manufacturing Facility• Nebraska Machinery Headquarters• Downtown Hampton Inn/

Homewood Suites

Geot

echn

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Eng

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Confluence (formerly Brian Clark + Associates)1300 Walnut St., Ste. 200Des Moines, IA 50309515-288-4875fax: 515-288-8359confluence@thinkconfluence.comwww.thinkconfluence.com

Company’s Specialties: Confluence (formerly Brian Clark + Associates) is a professional consulting firm com-prised of landscape architects and planners.

Client References:• Wells Fargo West Des Moines

Campus• H&R Block World Headquarters• Iowa State Capitol West Terrace• Honey Creek Resort State Park• University of Iowa: Kinnick Stadium

Renovations

studioINSITE3457 Ringsby Ct., Unit 223Denver, CO 80216303-433-7100fax: 303-433-4301hgilliatt@studio-insite.comwww.studio-insite.com

Company’s Specialties: Master planning, urban design and landscape architecture for institutions, civil and cultural facilities, and mixed-use and multi-family housing developments

Client References:• Creighton University• Auraria Higher Education Center• Semper Fidelis Memorial Park

at the National Museum of the Marine Corps

• Sanctuary of Bharat, India • Clayton Mixed-use Development

KAI Design & Build211 N. Broadway, Ste. 1900St. Louis, MO 63102314-241-8188fax: 314-241-0125mrkt@kai-db.comwww.kai-db.com

Company’s Specialties: Architecture, engineering, construction services and building information modeling

Client References:• Kauffman Stadium Renovation• Chillicothe Women’s Reception &

Diagnostic Center• Gateway Transportation Center• Harris-Stowe State University Early

Childhood & Parent Education Center

• C.J. Peete HOPE VI Redevelopment

MEP

Eng

inee

rs

Farthingale Stone15040 W. 106th St.Lenexa, KS 66215913-888-3335fax: 913-888-4001don@farthingalestone.comwww.farthingalestone.com

Company’s Specialties: Ornamental and architectural cast stone and cast limestone products

Client References:• J.E. Dunn• S.M. Wilson• Weitz Company• Wildcat Construction• Straub Construction

Renze Display6847 N. 16th St.Omaha, NE 68112800-627-9131, ext. 122fax: 402-342-2864mcompton@renze.comwww.renze.com

Company’s Specialties: Graphics and displays for all types of interiors and events

Client References:• ConAgra Foods, Inc.• Kiewit• Hawkins Construction• HDR, Inc.• Creighton University

Land

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Drager Design337 N. Rock IslandWichita, KS 67202 316-269-3600fax: 316-269-3601gene@ddrager.comwww.ddrager.com

Company’s Specialties: Concept/theme development, special finishes, art, services and graphic design

Client References:• Abode Home• St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church• Comfort Suites Hotel• Avivo Brick Oven Pizzeria• St. John Hospital

Spec

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Bob D. Campbell and Company4338 BelleviewKansas City, MO 64111 816-531-4144fax: 816-531-8572ksloan@bdc-engrs.comwww.bdc-engrs.com

Company’s Specialties: Complete structural engineering services for design of all types of structural systems and buildings

Client References:• Lee’s Summit Fire Station No. 7

and Training Facility• Crossroads Parking Structure• Shawnee Mission Medical Center• University of Kansas• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Stru

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w w w. B U I L D I N G O FA M E R I C A .C O M

Each regional edition of the

Real Estate & Construction

Review, including the

ShortList, can now be viewed

online at our website.

http://www.BuildingofAmerica.com

The Southern California Edition of The Real Estate & Construction Review 

www.BuildingofAmerica.com

All regional ShortLists can be viewed online at www.buildingofamerica.com

T E A M M EM B ER S

T H E C E N T R A L P L A I N SS H O R T L I S T

SUBCONTRACTORS • SUPPLIERS • VENDORS

78 shortlist

Architects

DLR GroupKen Martin, AIA7290 W. 133rd St.Overland Park, KS 66213913-897-7811fax: 913-897-8333kmartin@dlrgroup.comwww.dlrgroup.com

KAI Design & BuildMichael B. Kennedy211 N. Broadway, Ste. 1900St. Louis, MO 63102314-241-8188fax: 314-241-0125mrkt@kai-db.comwww.kai-db.com

Architectural Millwork/Casework/Woodwork

Salina Planing MillSteve Dunning1100 W. CrawfordSalina, KS 67401785-825-0588fax: 785-825-0679steve@salinaplaningmill.comwww.salinaplaningmill.com

Woodwork Manufacturing & SupplyRick Mitchell403 S. Adams St.Hutchinson, KS 67504-1158620-663-3393fax: 620-663-5089sales@woodworkmfg.comwww.woodworkmfg.com

Cabinets

The Oak Tree, Inc.Renee Neil708 Main St.Plainfield, IA 50666319-276-4740fax: 319-276-4740theoaktree@butler-bremer.comwww.theoaktreeinc.com

Portfolio Kitchen & HomeGeri Higgins, Owner/President8027 State Line Rd.Kansas City, MO 64114816-363-5300fax: 816-363-5307geri@portfolio-home.comwww.portfolio-home.com(see display ad p. 79)

Civil Engineers

Landmark Engineering GroupMark Johnson, Vice President11020 N.W. Ambassador Dr., Ste. 100 Kansas City, MO 64153816-505-2523fax: 816-505-2521mark.johnson@landgroup.bizwww.landgroup.biz

Martin & Whitacre Surveyors & Engineers, Inc.Gary W. Whitacre, President1508 Bidwell Rd.Muscatine, IA 52761563-263-7691fax: 563-263-0048info@martin-whitacre.comwww.martin-whitacre.com

http://www.portfolio-home.com

http://www.johnrohrercontracting.com

81shortlist

Concrete Contactors

Fordyce Concrete Company Inc.Mike Turner11011 Cody, Ste. 150Overland Park, KS 66210913-345-2025fax: 913-345-8027mike.turner@ashgrove.com/ adam.scott@ashgrove.com

John Rohrer Contracting Company Inc.John Rohrer2820 Roe Lane, Bldg. S Kansas City, KS 66103913-236-5005fax: 913-236-7291john@johnrohrercontracting.comwww.johnrohrercontracting.com(see corporate profile p. 80)

Martinson Construction Co, Inc.Dave Martinson3842 W. Airline Hwy.Waterloo, IA 50703319-232-4000fax: 319-232-5020martinsond@mchsi.comwww.martinsonconstruction.com

Treiber Construction Company, Inc.2723 N. Clark St.Davenport, IA 52804563-386-5151fax: 563-391-3405www.treiberconstruction.com

Union Concrete Ready-mix supplier

Two plant locations and the ability to use seven other plants within the Kansas City Metro Area

Highly trained quality control staff ensure the use of unique and/or specialty mix designs

11011 CODY STREET, SUITE 150, OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS 66210OFFICE 913 / 345-2030 FAX 913 / 345-8027

2723 N. Clark Street • Davenport, Iowa 52804 • Phone 563.386.5151 • Fax 563.391.3405 • info@treiberconstruction.com

82 shortlist

Construction Managers/General Contractors

KAI Design & BuildMichael B. Kennedy211 N. Broadway, Ste. 1900St. Louis, MO 63102314-241-8188fax: 314-241-0125mrkt@kai-db.comwww.kai-db.com

Lockard CompaniesRobert L. Smith Jr., President4501 Prairie Pkwy.Cedar Falls, IA 50613319-277-8000fax: 319-277-8080rsmith@lockardonline.comwww.lockardonline.com

Neumann Brothers, Inc.Annette McCarthy1435 Ohio St.Des Moines, IA 50314515-243-0156fax: 515-243-0165build@neumannbros.comwww.neumannbros.com

Consulting Engineers

Gibbens Drake Scott, Inc.Tim Scott, President9201 E. 63rd St., Ste. 100Raytown, MO 64133816-358-1790fax: 816-358-2367tscott@gdsengr.comwww.gdsengr.com

Shafer Kline & Warren, Inc.Tom Smith, Vice President-Director Site Development11250 Corporate Ave.Lenexa, KS 66219913-888-7800fax: 913-888-7868tsmith@skw-inc.comwww.skw-inc.com

Drywall Contractors

Performance Contracting, Inc. (PCI)Shawn Burnum1203 Main St.Grandview, MO 64030816-765-1722fax: 816-765-9023shawn.burnum@pcg.comwww.pcg.com

Countertops

CCM Counter Top & Cabinet M.F.G.Marcia Traylor2937 S. KansasWichita, KS 67216316-554-0113fax: 316-554-0130marcia@ccmcountertops.comwww.ccmcountertops.com

Design & Specialty Fabrication

Dimensional InnovationsTucker Trotter, President3421 Merriam LaneOverland Park, KS 66203913-384-3488fax: 913-384-3477info@dimin.comwww.dimin.com

Doors/Frames/Hardware

Design Supply Inc.Toby Stowe7400 E. 12th St., #13Kansas City, MO 64126816-483-5100fax: 816-483-5528tstowe@designsupplyinc.comwww.designsupplyinc.com

83shortlist

Drywall/Metal Stud Contractors

Midwest Drywall Co., Inc.Steve Nienke1351 S. Reca Ct.Wichita, KS 67209316-722-9559fax: 316-722-9682steve.nienke@mwdw.comwww.mwdw.com

Electrical Contractors

Hawkeye ElectricLinda Wilson1255 Stamy Rd.Hiawatha, IA 52233319-743-9891fax: 319-734-9893linda@hawkeye-electric.comwww.hawkeye-electric.com

Hedlund ElectricTerry Hedlund1201 S. MainMcPherson, KS 67460620-241-3757fax: 620-241-0660terry@hedlundelectric.com

K & R Electric Inc.Don StilleyP.O. Box 6727Branson, MO 65615417-334-1464fax: 417-334-1461dstilley@kandrelectric.comwww.kandrelectric.com

Mark One Electric Company, Inc.Rosana Privitera Biondo909 TroostKansas City, MO 64106816-842-7023fax: 816-842-8955markone@markone.comwww.markone.com

S.E. Electric Inc.Susan A. Schumker1202 Highland Ct.Iowa City, IA 52240319-338-5799fax: 319-338-2055seelectricinc@msn.com

Wolfe Electric Company, Inc.Richard Wolfe7121 Amanda Rd.Lincoln, NE 68507402-464-4333fax: 402-464-4366richard.wolfe@wolfeelectric.comwww.wolfeelectric.com

1255 Stamy Rd Hiawatha, IA 52233

Phone 319.743.9891 Fax 319.743.9893

www.hawkeye-electric.com

Make the Switch to Wolfe Electric!

Specializing in a wide variety of services

• Single-Family Homes • Service Repairs

• Multi-Family Units • Service Change-Overs

• Commercial Buildings • Site Light Wiring

Home Office7121 Amanda Road • Lincoln, NE 68507 • (402) 464-4333

Omaha Office 5711 South 60th, Suite 210 • Omaha, NE 68117 • (402) 731-1220

Electrical Engineers

Larosa & Schober EngineeringMark Schober3015 S. Fort Ave., Ste. DSpringfield, MO 65807417-881-1586fax: 417-881-8390mark@larosa-schober.comwww.larosa-schober.com

Engineering/Testing/Inspection

Terracon Consultants Inc.Kevin Langwell, VP Client Development18001 W. 106th St., Ste. 300Olathe, KS 66061800-593-7777fax: 913-599-0574corporate@terracon.comwww.terracon.com

84 shortlist

Excavating Contractors

Badger Daylight Midstates Inc.Phil Cline804 E. MainLyons, KS 67554620-257-8100fax: 620-257-2880pcbadgermidstates@mid-kan.kscoxmail.com

DL Kidwell & Son ConstructionDarrell Kidwell1813 S.W. MarketLee’s Summit, MO 64082816-537-0285fax: 816-537-0809dlkidwell@aol.com

Dave Schmitt Construction Co., Inc.Mike Schmitt250-50th Ave. SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404319-365-8669fax: 319-365-2677mike@daveschmittconstruction.comwww.daveschmitt.com

The Earth...We Dig It!

■ Underground Utilities■ Street & Parking Lot Construction■ Excavating and Grading■ Building Excavation■ Ponds■ Site Development■ Trenching■ Trucking

Dave SchmittCONSTRUCTION CO. INC.

www.daveschmitt.com

250 50th Avenue SW CedAr rApidS, iOWA 52404 BuS: (319) 365-8669 FAX: (319) 365-2677

DL KIDWELL & SON CONSTRUCTION INC.

1813 SW Market Lee’s Summit, MO 64082

Phone 816.537.0285 • Fax 816.537.0809dlkidwell@aol.com

Fire Protection

Blackhawk Automatic Sprinklers, Inc.Robert FontaniniP.O. Box 998Cedar Falls, IA 50613800-232-7721fax: 319-277-0000bfontanini@blackhawksprinklers.comwww.blackhawksprinklers.com(see display ad p. 85)

Mid Missouri Fire Protection LLCRandy Smith, Owner34569 Globe School Ave.Edwards, MO 65326573-345-3997fax: 573-345-3878mofire@advertisnet.com

Glass & Glazing

Byers Glass & Mirror, Inc.Dan ByersP.O. Box 291Bonner Springs, KS 66012913-441-8717fax: 913-441-0157danbyers@byerglass.com

Husker Glass, Inc.David Meinzer748 N. 109th Ct.Omaha, NE 68154402-933-3100fax: 402-397-1333dmeinzer@huskerglass.comwww.huskerglass.com

JPI Glass (Jim Plunkett Inc.)Jim Plunkett9760 N. Pomona Ave.Kansas City, MO 64153816-876-2200, ext. 227fax: 816-876-2215jim@jpiglass.comwww.jpiglass.com(see display ad p. 86)

Geotechnical Engineers

Thiele Geotech, Inc.Barton Pugh, Dir. of Business Development13478 Chandler Rd.Omaha, NE 68138-3716402-556-2171fax: 402-556-7831bpugh@thielegeotech.comwww.thielegeotech.com

85shortlist

Fax: (319) 277 - 0000

P.O. Box 998Cedar Falls, IA 50613

86 shortlist

9760 N. Pomona Ave. • Kansas City, MO 64153(813) 876-2200 ext. 227 • www.JPIGlass.com

• Site Development & Grading• Heavy Demolition & Dismantlements• Geopier™ Soil Improvement• Heavy Hauling• Bridges & Structures

PCI is your solutionfor the expert delivery

of complete civilservices since 1964

Heavy Highway Contractors

Peterson Contractors, Inc.Cork Peterson104 Blackhawk St.Reinbeck, IA 50669319-345-2713fax: 319-345-2991cork@petersoncontractors.comwww.petersoncontractors.com

Landscape Architects

Confluence (formerly Brian Clark + Associates)Brian Clark1300 Walnut St., Ste. 200Des Moines, IA 50309515-288-4875fax: 515-288-8359confluence@thinkconfluence.comwww.thinkconfluence.com

studioINSITEHolly Gilliatt, Associate/Marketing Director3457 Ringsby Ct., Unit 223Denver, CO 80216303-433-7100fax: 303-433-4301hgilliatt@studio-insite.comwww.studio-insite.com

Land Surveyors

Anderson Survey CompanyDani Anderson203 N.W. Executive WayLee’s Summit, MO 64063816-246-5050fax: 816-246-0502dani@andersonsurvey.comwww.andersonsurvey.com

Landscape Contractors

Meyer Landscape & Design Inc.Jack Meyer2817 47th St.Moline, IL 61265309-762-6226fax: 309-762-9121jmeyer@meyerlandscape.comwww.meyerlandscape.com

Manufacturers

St. Joseph Truss Inc.Glenn Poirier2257 169th Rd.Wathena, KS 66090785-989-4496fax: 785-989-3408glenntrussme@carsoncomm.comwww.trussme.com

MEP Engineers

KAI Design & BuildMichael B. Kennedy211 N. Broadway, Ste. 1900St. Louis, MO 63102314-241-8188fax: 314-241-0125mrkt@kai-db.comwww.kai-db.com

Masonry Contractors

Maderak Construction Co., Inc.Michael P. Maderak220 S. 74th St.Kansas City, KS 66111913-299-3929fax: 913-299-3949maderakconst@kc.rr.com(see display ad p. 87)

Marble & Granite Contractors

Carthage Marble CorporationNaKell Staats3043 Roanoke Rd.Kansas City, MO 64108816-561-7020fax: 816-561-6832carthagemarble@aol.com

87shortlist

Mechanical Contractors

Baker GroupDaryld Karloff4224 Hubbell Ave.Des Moines, IA 50317-4508515-262-4000fax: 515-266-1025karloffd@thebakergroup.comwww.thebakergroup.com

P1 Group, Inc.Pete McCall16210 W. 108th St.Lenexa, KS 66219913-539-5300fax: 913-529-5020pcm@p1group.comwww.p1group.com

Mechanical Engineers

Gilmor & Doyle LTDSharon Crawford214 E. 4th St.Waterloo, IA 50703319-235-0650fax: 319-235-0644scrawford@gdeng.comwww.gdeng.com

Hoss & Brown Engineers, Inc.Kurt Ewert11205 W. 79th St., #102Lenexa, KS 66214913-362-9090fax: 913-362-9696kewert@hbengineerskc.comwww.h-be.com

Overhead Doors

Overhead Door CompanyChad Blackman333 LauraWichita, KS 67211316-265-4634fax: 316-267-7807chadb@overheaddoorwichita.comwww.overheaddoorwichita.com

Ornamental/ Architectural Stone

Farthingale StoneDon Hellstern, Sales15040 W. 106th St.Lenexa, KS 66215913-888-3335fax: 913-888-4001don@farthingalestone.comwww.farthingalestone.com

www.BuILdINgOfAmERICA.COm

Each regional edition of the Real Estate & Construction Review, including the ShortList, can now be viewed online at our website.

http://www.BuildingofAmerica.com

The Southern California Edition of The Real Estate & Construction Review 

88 shortlist

Painting & Wallcovering Contractors

Cain PaintingTom CainP.O. Box 24386Stanley, KS 66283913-236-4344fax: 913-236-9398tcain@cainpainting.comwww.cainpainting.com

Paragon PC, Inc.Craig LockeP.O. Box 480194Kansas City, MO 64148816-322-6600fax: 816-322-6017paragonpcinc@yahoo.comwww.paragonpcinc.com

SpecialtyPainting &

Wallcovering

ProvidingCommercial& Industrial

P.O. Box 480194Kansas City, MO 64148

(816) 322-6600

Proud to be part of the DLR Group & Harmon ConstructionTeam on the Building of America Award-winning Sunlight Saunas!

ParagonPCinc@Yahoo.com

www.ParagonPCinc.com

Pools & Spas

Continental Pools Inc.Clark Waage/Don Doll805 E. WarrenGardner, KS 66030913-856-2841fax: 913-856-4281(see display ad p. 89)

Pavement Marking/Striping

Emery Sapp & Sons Inc.Dan Hoover2602 N. Stadium Blvd.Columbia, MO 65202573-445-8331fax: 573-445-0266dhoover@emerysapp.comwww.emerysapp.com

(785) 232-42763830 NW 16th StreetTopeka, Kansas 66618

midwestcoating.us

Roofing excellence since 1979

89shortlist

t (913) 856-2841f (913) 856-4281

805 E WarrenGardner, KS

66030

* 40 Years of Quality, Dedication and Experience

* Pool Construction

* Design and Build Water Parks and Spray Grounds

* Competition and Leisure Pools Zero Depth and

Lazy Rivers

Roofing Contractors

Midwest Coating, Inc.Randall D. Morris3830 N.W. 16th St.Topeka, KS 66618785-232-4276fax: 785-232-2856jcockerham@midwestcoating.uswww.midwestcoating.us(see display ad p. 88)

Weathercraft Company of LincolnWilliam D. Livengood5410 N.W. 44th St.Lincoln, NE 68524402-435-3567fax: 402-435-8130wcraftln@inebraska.com

Signs

Renze DisplayMike Compton6847 N. 16th St.Omaha, NE 68112800-627-9131, ext. 122fax: 402-342-2864mcompton@renze.comwww.renze.com

Doherty Steel Inc.In 1959, James Doherty established

Doherty Ornamental Iron, Inc. as a fabri-

cator of porch, balcony and pool railings.

In the early 1970s several of his customers

requested he supply and install structural

steel for upcoming projects. By the end of

the decade, structural steel fabrication and

erection had become the majority of

Doherty’s business.

Today, the company is run by two

of Doherty’s offspring — Lisa Stephen,

Secretary/Treasurer, and Dennis Doherty,

President — and does work for clients such

as Turner Construction, J.E. Dunn Con-

struction, McCown/Gordon Construction,

and Walton Construction for shopping cen-

ters, apartment buildings, business centers,

schools and hospitals. The company is a

competitive, productive, safe and quality-ori-

ented structural steel fabricator and erector.

After being awarded a project, the

Doherty team goes to work on detailing the

structure, providing drawings of each struc-

tural steel member to the engineering spec-

ifications supplied by the architects. These

drawings are sent to the general contractor,

architect and engineers for approval and are

then returned to Doherty with mark-ups

for changes or corrections. With the gener-

al contractor’s stamp of approval, the steel is

procured and the final drawings are sent to

the fabrication department where the struc-

tural steel members are fabricated. All

members of the Doherty team work

together to ensure the materials meet the

designated delivery date. With the steel

members sent to the jobsite, the erection

crew erects the structure.

Automation is a key to Doherty’s suc-

cess. All welding is performed with semi-

automatic welding equipment. When it

comes to making cuts or holes in structural

steel, several computerized punches, saws

and sheers are utilized. Material is moved

around the facility with the assistance of 12

overhead cranes in the shop, two yard

cranes and a MI-JACK 500 Travel Lift used

to load and unload trucks. The MI-JACK

is a 60,000-pound capacity moving gantry

crane that can load or unload a semi-truck

load of steel in one lift. The shipping

department also utilizes 14 trailers and

three semi-trucks. An average of 25 to 30

workers makes up the shop workforce.

The company’s primary field equip-

ment consists of eight fully equipped

welding trucks as well as numerous weld-

ing machines and torch sets. The steel

erection hoisting is performed with one

of five cranes (80-Ton Linkbelt Crawler,

60-Ton Lima Conventional Rubber Tire,

35-Ton Lima Conventional Rubber Tire,

22-Ton All Terrain Hydraulic and a

22-Ton Boom Truck.). The number of

workers in the field (mostly Local #10

Ironworkers) can vary between 50 and

100 depending on the workload.

The Doherty Difference

Doherty makes a point of creating a per-

sonal relationship with each client. “Our

client base has come to trust us to such an

extent that three owners deal directly with

us rather than through their general con-

tractors,” says Dennis Doherty. “We aren’t

the cheapest show in town, but we’re the

best. We don’t cut corners, and we’ve

imbued our employees with the philosophy

of being honest and upfront. Sometimes

we’re probably too honest, but our clients

always know where we stand.”

This measure of dedication extends

to problem solving throughout project

development. “If we can see that we

need to communicate with other sub-

contractors, we go through the general

contractor to arrange it, to make sure

there aren’t any gaps rather than wait for

the problem to escalate.”

The bottom line in creating and main-

taining high standards among Doherty,

its clients and its subcontractors comes

down to one basic rule: they don’t cheat

anyone. “Doherty is known for treating

clients fairly. They know they’ll have a

steel contractor with a lot of experience

and just as much honesty.”

— Corporate Profile

Certifications:• American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) —

Certified Fabricator-Complex Buildings since 2000• American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) —

Advanced Certified Erector since 2001 (among the first 40 erectors in the United States to obtain this certification)

Awards:• Steel Plus Bob Coffey Award to Dennis Doherty (2002)• Steel Plus Fabricator of the Year Award (2000 & 2001)• Steel Plus User of the Year Award (2000 & 2002)• Steel Plus Project of the Year Award (2000)• Kansas Department of Commerce & Housing Award of Merit (2001)

Memberships:• American Welding Society• Fabricators Association • American Institute of Steel Construction • National Federation of Independent Businesses • American Subcontractors Association-Greater Kansas City • Kansas City, Kansas Area Chamber of Commerce • Paola Chamber of Commerce• Kansas City Regional Steel Fabricators Association • Kansas City Regional Erectors Association • Steel Plus Network • The Builders Association

CPlains4 SL.qxd 9/15/06 2:16 PM Page 101

91shortlist

Site Utility Contractors

Rainbow Construction Underground Utilities, LLCRainbow L Hightower306 N.W. Locust Ct.Oak Grove, MO 64075816-690-8000fax: 816-690-8080rlh@rainbowkc.comwww.rainbowkc.com

306 NW Locust Ct.Oak Grove, MD 64075

t 816-690-8000f 816-690-8080

www.rainbowkc.com

Site Utilities

StormSanitary & Water

Main Lines & Services

Specialty Contractors

Midwest Drywall Co., Inc.Steve Nienke1351 S. Reca Ct.Wichita, KS 67209316-722-9559fax: 316-722-9682steve.nienke@mwdw.comwww.mwdw.com

Special Finishes

Drager DesignGene Engelbert, Operations Director337 N. Rock IslandWichita, KS 67202316-269-3600fax: 316-269-3601gene@ddrager.comwww.ddrager.com

Structural Engineers

Bob D. Campbell and CompanyKathy Sloan4338 BelleviewKansas City, MO 64111 816-531-4144fax: 816-531-8572ksloan@bdc-engrs.comwww.bdc-engrs.com

6817 Stadium Dr. Ste. 301 • Kansas City, MO 64129

816.921.7965 • fax: 816.921.7964

www.LibertyErection.com

Structural & Miscellaneous Steel

Liberty Erection Inc.Tony Burnworth6817 Stadium Dr., Ste. 301Kansas City, MO 64129816-921-7965fax: 816-921-7964tburnworth@libertyerection.comwww.libertyerection.com

M & R Steel Fab LLCJohn Reed100 Terra Estates Dr.Sunrise Beach, MO 65079913-221-6023fax: 913-217-7202john@mandrsteelfab.com(see display ad p. 92)

Structural Steel Fabricators & Erectors

Doherty Steel Inc.Dennis Doherty21110 W. 311th St.Paola, KS 66071913-557-9200fax: 913-557-3511(see corporate profile p. 90)

Varco Pruden Buildings Inc., a BlueScope Steel CompanyVP Sales3200 Players Club Cir.Memphis, TN 38125901-748-8000fax: 901-748-9323sales@vp.comwww.vp.com(see display ad p. 92)

92 shortlist

100 Terra Estates Dr.Sunrise Beach, MO 65079

913.221.6023Fax 913.383.0521

We fabricate and erect structuraland miscellaneous steel

for commercial,industrial, andinstitutional

projects.

• Masonry & Concrete Restorat ion

• Caulk ing

• Epoxy In ject ion

• Specia l ty Coat ings

• Res inous F loor ing

• Waterproof ing

• Pr imary & Secondary Conta inment

• Carbon F iber Re inforc ing

• Concrete Gr ind ing & Po l ish ing

1114 N. Walrond • Kansas City, MO 64120

816-483-7330 • 816-483-7335 Fax

www.jacorcontracting.com

Waterproofing/Joint Sealant/Concrete & Masonry Restoration

JACOR Contacting, Inc.Kyle Brown1114 N. WalrondKansas City, MO 64120816-483-7330fax: 816-483-7335kyle@jacorcontracting.comwww.jacorcontracting.com

93

Anderson Survey Company ..........................................21, 86

Badger Daylight Midstates Inc. ....................................15, 84

Baker Group ................................................................32, 87

Blackhawk Automatic Sprinklers, Inc. ....................63, 84, 85

Bob D. Campbell and Company .......................21, 60, 76, 91

Byers Glass & Mirror, Inc. ......................................29, 62, 85

CCM Counter Top & Cabinet M.F.G. .............................26, 82

Cain Painting ...............................................................27, 88

Carthage Marble Corporation ...........................16, 19, 58, 86

Confluence (formerly Brian Clark + Associates) ............................ 32, 33, 60, 61, 75, 86

Continental Pools Inc. ............................................55, 88, 89

DL Kidwell & Son Construction ....................................19, 84

DLR Group .......................................................30, 31, 73, 78

Dave Schmitt Construction Co., Inc. .............................67, 84

Design Supply Inc. .................................... 40, 46, 55, 56, 82

Dimensional Innovations ........................... 54, 64, 65, 74, 82

Doherty Steel Inc. ............................................19, 68, 90, 91

Drager Design .................................................44, 45, 76, 91

Emery Sapp & Sons Inc. ..............................................28, 88

Farthingale Stone ............................................40, 41, 75, 87

Five Star Masonry ..............................................................30

Fordyce Concrete Company Inc. ............................16, 58, 81

Gibbens Drake Scott, Inc. ......................................28, 74, 82

Gilmor & Doyle LTD .....................................................63, 87

Hawkeye Electric .........................................................67, 83

Hedlund Electric ..........................................................15, 83

Hoss & Brown Engineers, Inc. ................................18, 60, 87

Husker Glass, Inc. ........................................................20, 85

JACOR Contracting, Inc. .........................................28, 56, 92

JPI Glass (Jim Plunkett Inc.) ......... 35, 40, 50, 56, 59, 85, 86

John Rohrer Contracting Company Inc. ..................29, 80, 81

KAI Design & Build ...........62, 73, 75, 78, 82, 86, Back Cover

K & R Electric Inc. ........................................................18, 83

Landmark Engineering Group ................................71, 74, 78

Larosa & Schober Engineering .....................................51, 83

Liberty Erection Inc. ...............................................46, 91, 91

Lockard Companies .........................................24, 25, 73, 82

M & R Steel Fab LLC .............................................30, 91, 92

Maderak Construction Co., Inc. ..............................59, 86, 87

Mark One Electric Company, Inc. .......................................83

Martin & Whitacre Surveyors & Engineers, Inc. ......23, 74, 78

Martinson Construction Co., Inc. ..................................24, 81

Meyer Landscape & Design Inc. ..................................23, 86

Mid Missouri Fire Protection LLC .................................18, 84

Midwest Coating, Inc. ............................................70, 88, 89

Midwest Drywall Co., Inc. ......................................14, 83, 91

Neumann Brothers, Inc. ...................................38, 39, 73, 82

The Oak Tree, Inc. .......................................................24, 78

Overhead Door Company .......................................14, 26, 87

P1 Group, Inc. ..............................................................71, 87

Paragon PC, Inc. ..........................................................30, 88

Performance Contracting, Inc. (PCI) .......... 48, 60, 68, 71, 82

Peterson Contractors, Inc. ................................24, 52, 63, 86

advertisers’ index

advertisers’ indexPortfolio Kitchen & Home ...................... Inside Front Cover, 35, 36, 73, 78, 79

Rainbow Construction Underground Utilities, LLC .....................................19, 46, 91

Renze Display ..................................................56, 57, 75, 89

S.E. Electric Inc. ................................................................83

St. Joseph Truss Inc. ...................................................70, 86

Salina Planing Mill .......................................................56, 78

Shafer Kline & Warren, Inc. ....................................68, 74, 82

studioINSITE ..........................................................52, 75, 86

Terracon Consultants Inc. ....... 23, 26, 54, 55, 56, 60, 74, 83

Thiele Geotech, Inc. .................................. 48, 49, 52, 75, 85

Treiber Construction Company, Inc. .............................23, 81

Varco Pruden Building Inc.,

a BlueScope Steel Company ..................................46, 91, 92

Weathercraft Company of Lincoln ................................43, 89

Wolfe Electric Company, Inc. .......................................43, 83

Woodwork Manufacturing & Supply .............................15, 78

94

95

Owners/Tenants4646 Broadway, LLC (a joint venture

between Capital Resources Group

and Consolidated Development Partners) ...........................35

Aaron Zack ........................................................................30

Anschutz Entertainment Group...........................................16

Barton County, MO ............................................................68

Bass Pro Shops .................................................................18

Boulevard Brewing Company .............................................19

Boys and Girls Club of South Central Kansas, Inc. .............14

C&A Industries, Inc. ...........................................................20

City of Gardner, KS ............................................................55

City of Kansas City, MO ...............................................16, 58

City of Lee’s Summit, MO ..................................................60

City of Waterloo, IA ............................................................63

Clayton Reid ......................................................................27

Connie Zack ......................................................................30

Congregation of Lincoln Berean Church .............................43

Don Montague ...................................................................27

Edgewood Market, LLC, a subsidiary

of Hunter Companies .........................................................67

Ellerbe Becket ...................................................................22

Fort Leavenworth USD 207 ................................................56

HNI Corporation .................................................................23

Hines .................................................................................22

ICM, Inc. ............................................................................26

Jackson County Parks & Recreation ..................................54

The Junior College District of Central Southwest

Missouri, d/b/a Ozarks Technical Community College ........51

Kansas City Parks & Recreation .........................................62

Lockard Development, Inc. ................................................24

McPherson Opera House Company ....................................15

Metropolitan Community College .......................................52

Nicholson Group ..........................................................21, 29

One Park Place Investors, LLC ...........................................40

Redeemer Presbyterian Church .........................................46

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church ...................................44

Saunders County, NE .........................................................69

Shelter Enterprises, LLC ....................................................28

Stormont-Vail HealthCare ..................................................70

U.S. Army ..........................................................................59

U.S. General Services Administration .................................64

University of Kansas ..........................................................50

The University of Kansas Hospital Authority .......................71

University of Nebraska at Omaha .......................................48

Verde Partners ...................................................................38

Wells Fargo .......................................................................32

DevelopersAnschutz Entertainment Group...........................................16

Boulevard Brewing Company .............................................19

City of Gardner, KS ............................................................55

City of Kansas City, MO ...............................................16, 58

DSM Development Co., LLC ...............................................38

Fort Leavenworth USD 207 ................................................56

Hines .................................................................................22

Kansas City Parks & Recreation .........................................62

Nicholson Group ..........................................................21, 29

Redeemer Presbyterian Church .........................................46

Shelter Enterprises, LLC ....................................................28

Owner’s RepresentativesORSI ..................................................................................71

Architects/Engineers360 Architecture ................................................................19

ADS Architects ...................................................................15

Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, P.C. ........................48

Aquatic Design Consultants, Inc. ........................................55

Architectural Innovations, LLC ...........................................26

BCDM, Inc. ........................................................................56

index

index

96

BNIM .................................................................................54

Bahr Vermeer Haecker Architects ................................43, 52

Baldwin White Architects ...................................................38

The Benham Companies ....................................................59

Berger Devine Yaeger, Inc. ................................................28

Cannon Design ..................................................................50

Creative Ink Architects, LLC ...............................................18

DLR Group .........................................................................30

Downtown Arena Design Team ..........................................16

e design ............................................................................62

el dorado inc. ....................................................................29

Ellerbe Becket ...................................................................22

GLMV Architecture (formerly McCluggage

Van Sickle & Perry) ............................................................14

Gastinger Walker Harden Architects .............................27, 40

Gensler ..................................................................20, 23, 29

HMN Architects, Inc. ..........................................................70

Hagerman New Urbanism LLC ...........................................51

Helix ......................................................................21, 58, 64

Hoefer Wysocki Architects, LLC ...................................68, 69

Holland Basham Architects ................................................20

Holzman Moss Architecture ...............................................58

INVISION Architecture ..................................................24, 63

KAI Design & Build .............................................................62

Kaster Architects, Inc. ........................................................46

Michael Ashley & Associates, LLC .....................................62

OPN Architects, Inc. ...........................................................23

RSP Architects Ltd. ............................................................32

RTKL Associates Inc. .........................................................71

SVPA Architects Inc. ..........................................................32

ShearsAdkins Architects, LLC ............................................35

Shive-Hattery .....................................................................67

Treanor Architects P.A. (formerly GLPM Architects, Inc.) ....50

WDM Architects P.A. ..........................................................44

Williams Spurgeon Kuhl & Freshnock Architects, Inc. ........60

Construction Managers/General ContractorsA.L. Huber, general contractor ...........................................46

Bauer & Son Construction Co., Inc. ....................................44

Cardinal Construction Inc. ..................................................63

D.R. Anderson Constructors Co. .........................................52

Ferrell Construction of Topeka, Inc. ...................................70

Harmon Construction .........................................................30

Harris Construction ......................................................21, 29

Hawkins Construction ........................................................48

Hunter Companies .............................................................67

JE Dunn Construction ......................... 32, 54, 59, 64, 68, 71

Key Construction ...............................................................14

The Konrath Group ............................................................58

Kraus-Anderson Construction Company .............................60

Little Dixie Construction, LLC .............................................28

Lockard Construction, Inc. .................................................24

M. A. Mortenson Company ................................................16

Martin K. Eby Construction Co., Inc. .............................15, 26

Merit General Contractors, Inc. ..........................................27

Neumann Brothers, Inc. .....................................................38

Rau Construction Company ................................................19

Ryan Companies US, Inc. ...................................................23

Sampson Construction Company, Inc. ................................43

Taylor Kelly, L.L.C. .............................................................58

Titan Construction Organization, Inc. .....................55, 56, 62

Turner Construction Company .....................................22, 50

United Excel Corporation ....................................................69

Walton Construction.....................................................18, 51

The Weitz Company .........................................20, 32, 35, 40

Program/Project ManagersBurns & McDonnell ............................................................16

ICON Venue Group .............................................................16

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