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GSA joins regional partners to celebrate former Bannister Federal Complex revitalization

By Alison Kohler

EPA Regional Administrator and GSA Regional Administrator pose for a photo under a tent at a luncheon
EPA Regional Administrator Jim Gulliford poses with GSA Regional Administrator Michael Copeland for a photo at the Former Bannister Federal Complex appreciation luncheon and demolition event. EPA presented GSA and other partners with a National Notable Achievement Award for creative solutions and communication leading to a successful transfer of federal property to the private sector. Photo courtesy of EPA Region 7 Public Affairs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — GSA Heartland Region leaders joined other regional agencies, partners and businesses May 6 at the site of the former Bannister Federal Complex for an appreciation luncheon and demolition event to celebrate the progress on demolition and cleanup and look forward to future revitalization of the site.

At the event, EPA recognized the Bannister Transfer and Redevelopment Team efforts with a 2018 National Notable Achievement Award for Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Corrective Action, for creative solutions and communication leading to a successful transfer of federal property to the private sector for redevelopment, resulting in a win for the community. The team included Region 7 Bannister Transfer and Redevelopment Team, Assistant Attorney General Shawna Bligh, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, CenterPoint Properties, Bannister Transformation and Development LLC, National Nuclear Security Administration, General Services Administration, Honeywell FM&T, S.S. Papadopoulos & Associates Inc. and Olsson Associates, Inc.

“It’s remarkable to see the partnership that enabled the former Bannister Federal Complex to become an asset in the community for future development,” said Heartland Regional Administrator Michael Copeland. “Although GSA moved out in 2015, we still own 2306 and 2312 East Bannister Rd., so we’re keenly interested in the promising future of the neighboring site.”

A certificate recognizing GSA and other partners with the 2018 National Notable Achievement Award
EPA presented GSA and other partners with a 2018 National Notable Achievement Award for its part in Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Corrective Action. Courtesy of EPA Region 7 Public Affairs

The history of the complex begins back in the 1940s as part of the World War II effort, which left a legacy of both groundwater and soil contamination. In partnership with EPA and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, GSA was involved in cleanup of contamination of the former complex site. In November 2017, BT&D LLC took ownership of the portion of the Bannister Federal Complex located at 1500-2000 E. Bannister Road. GSA retained ownership of the remaining 82 acres east of the railroad tracks.

GSA is currently managing a project to upgrade critical infrastructure and building systems of the Federal Building at 2306-2312 Bannister Rd. to meet long-term federal needs, as well as managing contaminants present on the site in accordance with the RCRA permit.
A portion of the former complex site could be ready for redevelopment this year, which is more than a year earlier than the original plan set out to accomplish, according to Kevin Breslin, principal of Bannister Transformation & Development.

“It’s great when public and private sector interests are aligned, environmental issues get resolved, and real estate is put back into productive use,” Copeland said.

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Last updated: Jan 31, 2024
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