Northeast News
December 4, 2013

Hardesty Renaissance Economic Development Corporation (EDC) will host a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from noon to 1 p.m.

Hardesty Renaissance EDC, a Missouri non-profit, formed in 2011 with the mission of re-purposing the former Hardesty Federal Complex located at 607 Hardesty Ave., Kansas City, Mo. Prior to Hardesty Renaissance EDC purchasing the site in 2011, the complex had been vacant for more than 10 years. Situated on 18 aces, the facility includes 572,000 square feet of space in its collective six buildings. The complex was built in 1941 as a Quartermaster’s Depot and served a variety of government purposes until 2002.

Hardesty Renaissance’s vision is to revitalize the site by creating new jobs and a destination that will serve as a catalyst for redevelopment in Historic Northeast. The non-profit organization spent two years developing relationships in the community and researching potential uses for the site. To date, two studies have been completed and one of the studies that was authorized by the Port Authority of Kansas City determined there was potential to host a food hub on site. The second study, funded through a Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) grant, identified gaps in the region’s food system that could be filled by operators on the Hardesty site. In 2014, the non-profit will begin developing a business and financial plan for hosting a food hub and distribution center on site.

In the immediate future, Hardesty Renaissance will begin its first phase of site development, which includes cleaning up the largest building (Building 11) which totals 210,000 square feet and completing a partial rehab in order to create a workspace, exhibit and community meeting area. Target date for completion is spring of 2014. The rehab and clean-up will allow the non-profit to show off its building space to potential tenants, operators and partners as well as bring activity back to the facility for the first time in 12 years.

All are welcome to attend the groundbreaking ceremony which will be held on site at 607 Hardesty Ave., Kansas City, Mo. Refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP by Friday, Dec. 6, to: events@hardestyrenaissance.org or call (816) 922-0273.