Local developers are pumping millions of dollars into Brookside East to create a work, live, play area that will help revitalize the 63rd street corridor.
The 63rd Street corridor between Oak Street and Troost Ave. is on the mend thanks in part to two local developers committed to transforming the area.
John Hoffman and Butch Rigby both grew up in and around Kansas City's Brookside area.
For years, they've watched business, development and occupancy along 63rd Street dwindle. The two men decided a couple of years ago to do something to revitalize the area. For Rigby that meant buying 5 buildings along the corridor, including a 30,000 square foot building at 601 East 63rd St. A mixed use office space that will be home to a number of small businesses.
Developers invest millions to transform Brookside East into a work, live & play area. @41ActionNews pic.twitter.com/zzGR2wm3Tk
— LisaBenson (@lisabensonkshb) September 19, 2016
"This is the most rewarding and exciting transformation I've ever been part of in my entire career," said Rigby.
Rigby also owns the Brookside Gardens building, an event space and the 1960's A-frame building that houses the Unbakery and Juicery. He's says both will help support a work, live, play lifestyle in the neighborhood.
"The resurgence of the 63rd Street corridor is one the most important things, at least in our part of the east side of town, that we can do," said Rigby.
Developer John Hoffman is also investing millions of dollars along 63rd Street to help create a work, live and play area. He and his son-in-law, Lance Carlton, bought a property near 63rd and Holmes a little over two years ago. They built 63 Brookside, a 23-unit apartment building with one and two bedroom apartments.
Their first tenants moved in last month.
"We've leased a third of them. We've leased 8 or 9 of the units. It's leasing at about the speed that we thought it would. I think we'll have it completely leased by the end of this year," said Hoffman.
Hoffman is now focused on their new project just down the street at 63rd and Oak Street.
He's building five 3-bedroom townhouses that will be available for purchase.
"They're about 1950 square feet. They'll be right around $500,000," said Hoffman.
These developers anticipate 100 percent occupancy along this stretch of 63rd in the first quarter of 2017. And they look forward to moving their vision further east to Troost Avenue and beyond.
"I've watched this for 30 years not grow. I've also known its important that we find a good solid path to and past Troost Ave. and Paseo," said Rigby.
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Lisa Benson can be reached at lisa.benson@kshb.com.
