Four Light

[GRID]

I can't believe they have not even released a rendering for this. Downtown KC needs a tower crane!

[Chris Stritzel]

I can't believe they have not even released a rendering for this. Downtown KC needs a tower crane!

There will be two up soon enough. One for 1818 Main and the second for 3rd and Grand. Another three could go up if their respective projects start this year (New UMKC Building on Hospital Hill, Atlas 303 Broadway and City Harvest/5th and Main). So greater downtown could have 6 up at once. I know none of those are directly within the loop, but they’ll all show up.

[DColeKC]

I can't believe they have not even released a rendering for this. Downtown KC needs a tower crane!

They’re in final design phase right now. Not sure on timing for announce or new renderings.

[langosta]

City manager said ground breaking this year. FYI

[Chris Stritzel]

City manager said ground breaking this year. FYI

When was that said?

[langosta]

City manager said ground breaking this year. FYI

When was that said?

This week

[Sani]

They can't be that strict. I see bad loans written for bad condo's with terrible financials and piss poor run HOAs every week. So either they aren't strict, or everyone turns a blind eye to the obvious while accepting inaccurate disclosure documents to push things along. I've seen more inaccurate or missing condo resale certs (despite being required by state law) than I've seen proper ones. It's disgusting and typically benefits one obvious class of citizen while bending over another. The sad part is that most buyers being taken advantage of don't even realize it until it's way to late to do anything about it.

I've always been under the impression that a certain amount of condo units must be sold before construction can take place. I'm not sure if this is true or if it that's just a policy of HUD when they're involved on the lending side of things.

DColeKC is correct. There is also a 10 year window for condor owners to sue the constructor for damages. Complete non-starter for constructors in this area/at local price points/at any meaningful scale.

One of many documents you sign when building a tower in downtown KC is the agreement that the units will be rental and not condo for a period of 10 years.

I'm torn on that 10-year window. On the one hand, I get that developers don't want to be on the hook for bad workmanship for a decade after construction is complete, but on the other hand, when you see how Champlain Towers South in Surfside was built, you understand why a guarantee requirement makes sense. For every Champlain Towers, there are thousands of other condo towers facing horrendously expensive maintenance and repair assessments to compensate for poor construction. I suppose "building it right the first time" just doesn't make any financial sense at all.

[langosta]

But those issues were not found for decades post construction. And Kansas City’s special testing and inspections requirements during the construction process are what really catch those sorts of issues well before there is a major problem.

[GRID]

Not even a rendering for this out yet?

[Riverite]

Any news?

[DColeKC]

Still finalizing the design. One major change has been added that hasn't been done yet in any of the prior three towers. No update on announce or start date. Expect this building and one more north of Truman before anything happens across the interstate.

[im2kull]

Still finalizing the design. One major change has been added that hasn't been done yet in any of the prior three towers. No update on announce or start date. Expect this building and one more north of Truman before anything happens across the interstate.

I'm pleased to hear that we are finally getting the pedestrian bridge/skywalk!

[moderne]

Roof top go carts.

[KCPowercat]

Still finalizing the design. One major change has been added that hasn't been done yet in any of the prior three towers. No update on announce or start date. Expect this building and one more north of Truman before anything happens across the interstate.

Sounds cool but I was really excited about the crossroad side buildings and knocking out those horrible lots.

[TheUrbanRoo]

Still finalizing the design. One major change has been added that hasn't been done yet in any of the prior three towers. No update on announce or start date. Expect this building and one more north of Truman before anything happens across the interstate.

Sounds cool but I was really excited about the crossroad side buildings and knocking out those horrible lots.

Totally agree. Sad to hear they’re gonna leave those Crossroads lots empty after 4L. Those are far more needed given the Cap is coming.

[Chris Stritzel]

I’m fine with the lots remaining empty until 4 Light is completed since that’ll finish the original Power and Light District. It also gives the opportunity for Cordish and partners to reassess what they’ve done across the highway to introduce an entirely new type of product for them. In the interim, fence in the lot on the west side of Main and plant grass on the other one.

[Cratedigger]

Don't know this for sure but based on leasing numbers for 3L and Midland, as well as movement on the South Loop Cap, I'd imagine we hear some news on 4L late this summer/early fall

[im2kull]

DColeKC is correct. There is also a 10 year window for condor owners to sue the constructor for damages. Complete non-starter for constructors in this area/at local price points/at any meaningful scale.

One of many documents you sign when building a tower in downtown KC is the agreement that the units will be rental and not condo for a period of 10 years.

I'm torn on that 10-year window. On the one hand, I get that developers don't want to be on the hook for bad workmanship for a decade after construction is complete, but on the other hand, when you see how Champlain Towers South in Surfside was built, you understand why a guarantee requirement makes sense. For every Champlain Towers, there are thousands of other condo towers facing horrendously expensive maintenance and repair assessments to compensate for poor construction. I suppose "building it right the first time" just doesn't make any financial sense at all.

But those issues were not found for decades post construction. And Kansas City’s special testing and inspections requirements during the construction process are what really catch those sorts of issues well before there is a major problem.

Who takes care of these sorts of issues when they're identified well after construction, at present? Everyone I've spoken to with the city seems to want to pass the buck on emergent issues. It makes the fact that nearly every major disaster has been proceeded by a frustrated whistleblower much more understandable. Inaction is absurd.

[langosta]

The long term issues you’ve posted in other threads are not the initial builders fault. Why should they be liable?

Missouri has a 7 year window (or so someone corrected me on directly) and Kansas has none. I think somewhere closer to 2-3, in conjunction with existing testing requirements is a little more reasonable. 7 years is long enough for a homeowners or condo associations lack of maintenance to actually impact things. (which does get litigated at great expenses)

[im2kull]

The long term issues you’ve posted in other threads are not the initial builders fault. Why should they be liable?

Missouri has a 7 year window (or so someone corrected me on directly) and Kansas has none. I think somewhere closer to 2-3, in conjunction with existing testing requirements is a little more reasonable. 7 years is long enough for a homeowners or condo associations lack of maintenance to actually impact things. (which does get litigated at great expenses)

I agree. Initial defects should be the responsibility of the initial parties. Issues after that should be the responsibility of the whoever is "in charge" at or owns the property.

The question I asked was in response to my observation that the city seems completely inept at dealing with major building and life safety code violations & enforcement, especially when a property owner or management is refusing to cooperate. It's amusing (and sad) that the city, the AHJ, isn't capable of enforcing their own code. I'm sure that lenders see the increased risk and adjust accordingly, which reducing the odds of a nice, new development like Four Light from ever having a condo component.