KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 30, 2020) – Community Builders of Kansas City, the area’s largest urban core developer, announced today The Rochester on Blue Parkway, the first market-rate, multi-family development east of Prospect in generations. The 81,400-square-foot, $12.6 million project, one of the first announced in a Kansas City-area Opportunity Zone, will have 64 residential units across four stories.

“The Rochester brings a residential option to this corridor that does not now exist,” said Emmet Pierson, Jr., president and CEO of CBKC. “The Rochester adds another dynamic element to CBKC’s Blue Parkway campus that already includes more than 430,000 square feet of diversified office, retail and service providers. This residential development marks the first of a number of projects CBKC has planned along the Blue Parkway corridor and throughout the east side.”

CBKC announced last year that its 69,000-square-foot office building at 4001 Blue Parkway was 100 percent occupied. With tenants such as Legal Aid and the Mid-America Assistance Coalition, the three-story property has become a convenient services resource for the community. CBKC has more than $80 million in real estate assets, from downtown to 63rd Street, under management.

“CBKC is changing the landscape of Kansas City’s east side with meaningful projects that matter to the community,” said former Missouri Sen. Shalonn “Kiki” Curls (D) Kansas City. “CBKC has proven it gets quality projects in challenging geographies done. We are excited to see this asset added to our community and know we can expect news of other development to come.”

The Rochester on Blue Parkway will feature in-demand finishes and amenities including stainless steel appliances, solid-surface countertops, in-unit washer and dryer, an indoor/outdoor rooftop deck, fitness center, package pick-up room, community meeting space as well as landscaped front and back yard spaces furnished for grilling and gathering around the fire pit. Rates will be in the range of $985 to $1,275 for the one-bedroom/one bath, one- bedroom plus den/one bath and two-bedroom/two-bathroom units. There also will be a penthouse two-bedroom executive suite.

The property was named after R. (Rochester) Charles (Chuck) Gatson, the visionary founder of CBKC who grew up east of Troost and invested his career in service to the education, training and capacity building of individuals and communities in need. Gatson received numerous leadership recognitions including the James A. Johnson Fellowship from the Fannie Mae Foundation, awarded to leaders in affordable housing and community development. He died in 2014.

Straub Construction serves as general contractor. Hufft is providing project design. CBKC is working with several partners to finalize the project’s capital stack.

FACT SHEET

Project Team

• Straub Construction, general contractor
• Hufft, architect
• Artin LLC, structural engineer
• Custom Engineers, mechanical, electrical, plumbing engineer
• FSC, code consultant
• Land3 Studio, landscape architect
• Taliaferro & Browne, civil engineer

Project Details

• $12.6 million
• 4 stories
• 81,400 total square feet
• 64 residential units
• Q4 2020 / Q4 2021 anticipated project start / completion

Amenities

• Luxury vinyl tile floors
• Stainless steel appliances
• Solid-surface countertops
• In-unit washer/dryer
• Package pick-up room
• Adjacent parking
• 2,000-sq.-ft. roof top indoor/outdoor gathering space with fire feature, seating
• Community multi-purpose room
• Fitness room
• Storage lockers
• Landscaped front and back yard furnishings for grilling and gathering around the fire pit

Living choices and monthly lease rates

• In the range of $985 to $1,275
• One bedroom / one bath 675 sq. ft.
• One bedroom / one bath plus den 840 sq. ft.
• Two bedroom / two bath 1,000 sq. ft.
• Penthouse two bedroom / two bath 1,300 sq. ft.