Northeast News
December 9, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — The Kansas City Public Schools might be leaving downtown. Before they do, they want your moving advice.

According to a press release, KCPS officials have entered into a sales contract with the Nazarene Publishing House to purchase several buildings located at 29th Street and Troost Avenue. The contract is part of a plan to relocate the central office and consolidate the KCPS headquarters and Maintenance, Operations, Security and Engineering [MOSE] facilities from two facilities into one, providing improved access for KCPS families while also significantly reducing operating costs, freeing up additional funds that can be reallocated to student programs.

The move allows KCPS to dispose of its current, 11-story headquarters building at 1211 McGee St., which includes a total of 261,800 square feet. KCPS previously sold its maintenance facilities at 800 E. 21st St. and 2101 Charlotte St., which together included 98,100 square feet. Overall, the move reduces the KCPS headquarters and MOSE footprint from 359,900 square feet to 107,915 square feet, a reduction of 251,985 square feet, or 70 percent. It is estimated that the proposed relocation of the central office and consolidation with maintenance, operations, security and engineering facilities would save the KCPS approximately $680,000 a year in operating costs.

KCPS is currently conducting due diligence on the Nazarene Publishing House facilities, which includes getting feedback from KCPS families at a public meeting, which is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 1211 McGee St. in the small auditorium.

The release states that NPH facility was selected for its central location within the KCPS boundaries, ease of access to public transportation, energy efficiency, and “the ability to meet many of the unique needs of KCPS, including office and warehouse space, public and board meeting spaces.” The move is expected to result in significant savings to KCPS in the form of reduced utility and facilities’ costs. Interim Superintendent Al Tunis said this move would allow KCPS to reduce overhead costs, allowing more resources to flow into the classroom, while also making their central office more accessible to our families.

“We hope that by bringing more than 200 new employees to the Troost Corridor, we can also serve as a catalyst for additional development in the area,” Tunis said.