It is told that R. (Rochester) Charles (Chuck) Gatson, wasn’t big on groundbreakings. Grand openings, now that is another matter but ground breakings, not so much. 

So it was that on Friday, April 16, 2021, a few dozen people came together on the Community Builders of Kansas City (CBKC) headquarters campus to quietly, joyfully, commemorate the construction start of Gatson’s namesake development, The Rochester on Blue Parkway – the first market-rate, multi-family development east of Prospect in generations. 

“I look around and see all the people who have worked so hard to make this a reality,” said Emmet Pierson, Jr., president and CEO of CBKC. “It means a great deal to me and to so many of us. It’s a great day.”

Alice Wadsworth, Chuck’s widow, came as a special guest and participated in the ceremonial event alongside Pierson, other CBKC staff, board members and the contractor – Straub Construction and consulting team – Hufft Projects, architect and Taliaferro & Brown, civil engineer. With commemorative shovels they turned the dirt signaling the official construction start of the project.

The 81,400-square-foot, $12.6 million project will have 64 residential units across four stories. It is expected to complete in 2022 with tenants moving in sometime mid-year. Interested prospects can get on the information mailing list at therochesterkc.com.

The development was named after Gatson, the visionary who became the heart, soul and leader of Community Builders of Kansas City. He grew up east of Troost and invested his career in service to the education, training and capacity building of individuals and communities in need. He died in 2014.

The Rochester 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 competitive 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.

This groundbreaking, without pomp or circumstance, was an acknowledgement of reaching this milestone knowing there is much work ahead not just with this project but with the greater CBKC mission – changing this landscape by igniting and fueling equity, access, opportunity and advocacy.