Block & Company completes final infrastructure project in Merriam Pointe Auto Mall at I-35 & 67th Street
March 15, 2021
Block & Company, Inc., Realtors is excited to announce that our construction management division has completed "Project Infill", a large scale infrastructure and earthwork project located at 7000 W Frontage Rd in Merriam, KS and the final development project in the Merriam Pointe Auto Mall.
The 4.04 acre property is primely located in the heart of Merriam Pointe, one of Kansas City's largest automotive dealership hubs in the metropolitan area. However, the property's prior condition was nothing more than a non-income producing, deep drainage ditch with depths exceeding 40 feet below surrounding surfaces.
The end goal for the property was to elevate the grade to match the surrounding surface levels in order to transform the unusable piece of land into a prime site for a new automotive dealership. In order to achieve this, many environmental requirements would need to be fulfilled before any earthwork was initiated.
The first requirement was to engage with an environmental engineering firm to assist in obtaining a permit from the US Army Corps Of Engineers. This permit is required under the US Clean Water Act and allows for the diversion of an onsite stream into a concrete box culvert that would need to be constructed. The issuance of the permit triggered site clearing which had to be scheduled to avoid any disturbance of endangered species potentially inhabiting the site. After clearing activities were completed, subgrade preparation for the box culvert began. A 14x14 foot box culvert was constructed, spanning several hundred feet across the entire site and through a 20 foot retaining wall along the entire West end of the site. Upon completion, fill activities were set to begin. This required the import and placement of over 100,000 cubic yards of engineered fill material.
Another major component of the project was the replacement of over 600 feet of a 24 inch diameter clay sewer line with a new cast iron line. New manholes were added and existing manholes were raised to over 40 feet in height in some cases requiring significant box shoring for earth retention and vacuum excavation to reach the bottom of the manholes.
Additional modifications included the relocation,modification, and extension of water and electrical utility lines on site. After completion of improvements the site was fine graded, seeded and landscaped.
Mitch DiCarlo, Director of Development & Construction at Block & Company recently stated: "The unique design and construction complexities of this challenging development made for an interesting project. Overall, it has been gratifying to see the transformation of this unsightly parcel into a major component of the Merriam Pointe Auto Mall."
Reed Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, and Ram recently acquired the property and the adjacent lot to the South and has since built a brand new dealership. On behalf of the property's selling party, Block & Company, Inc., Realtors handled all aspects of the sale transaction in addition to the construction management of the property.
The completion of 7000 Frontage Road signifies a major milestone for the Merriam Pointe Auto Mall and marks the end of a massive infrastructure and development project headed by Block & Company with Christie Development as a partner. The acquisition of this land in 2008 between 67th Streetand 75th Street along I-35, has since become a first class automotive retail destination that is now home to Hendrick Toyota & Lexus, Infiniti of Kansas City, and Reed Hyundai, Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, & Ram.
David M. Block, President of Block & Company, Inc., Realtors recapped the project, "What started as a bankrupted retail project that was acquired by a Block & Company headed investment group in 2008, has since become one of the most successful automotive dealership malls in the region. I'm proud of how our development and construction management team transformed this rugged stretch of land into an income-producing miracle."
Watch Construction Video From Start to Finish Below:
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About Block & Company, Inc., Realtors Block & Company, Inc. Realtors is a full service commercial real estate company headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri since its inception in 1946. The firm's services include brokerage, development, investment, asset/property management, tenant representation, and corporate real estate services. Our commercial brokerage specializes in restaurant, retail, automotive, hotel, industrial, office, shopping center/development, commercial investments, asset/property management, and many other real estate services. With transactions extending to 187 cities in 35 states, Block & Company manages millions of square feet of retail, restaurant, office, and industrial space. Block & Company is proud to be known as one of the Midwest's premier full service real estate organizations, consistently ranked among the industry leaders by trade magazines, local business publications, and our industry peers.
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