Leeds district potential

[GRID]

In the property's southwest portion, Stonemont and Port KC have discussed setting aside and preserving green space along the Blue River, allowing for future connectivity in the broader 4,600-acre Blue River Ecodustrial Corridor.

This is a really critical area. If we could develop the Blue Valley area into a manufacturing/industrial center again, it would be the biggest EcoDevo win for the east side compared to any of the other efforts under way.

I'm sure if redeveloped, it will be just a few giant distribution centers which don't really employ a lot. Would still be good to see the area repurposed.

[FangKC]

Union Pacific Railroad has purchased the former GM Leeds auto plant site and plans to redevelop the site for a tenant needing rail access and having multiple switching lines. The site was cleared and remediated by the former owner after a fire swept the former plant.

Union Pacific courts industrial takers after buying rail-served KC complex

...
The railroad looks for rail customers and manufacturers to build new facilities at the Leeds Industrial Park, located west of Interstate 435 and the Truman Sports Complex at 6817 Stadium Drive. A conceptual build-to-suit plan, in marketing materials from broker Fischer Weiler Industrial (FWI), involves construction of two new industrial buildings, respectively 520,800 and 199,680 square feet, plus parking and outdoor storage across the 85-acre property.
...
"When discussing sites with rail users, the first few questions we get asked are typically associated with the rail switch and length or capacity of the rail spur," Weiler said. "Rail users with a heavy volume of cars quickly realize the value in the Leeds site based on the 30,000 linear feet of dedicated off-site rail capacity coupled with the onsite switching capabilities."
...
The Port Authority of Kansas City in February 2022 approved a 20-year stair-stepping property tax exemption for new construction in the Leeds Industrial Park,
...

https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity ... &empos=p10

[dukuboy1]

Interesting. Would be nice to see something become of the ashes that was once an industrial/manufacturing heart of the city. Would be a great boost to the area.

[FangKC]

I wonder if they can attract another battery plant.

[KC_Ari]

I wonder if they can attract another battery plant.

It would make a lot of sense for consolidating a lot of the same talent in the same location and lead to more ancillary development between Ford, GM, Orange, and the bus manufacturer. I would think that proximity significantly reduces a large transportation cost for battery cells.