Featured in the Kansas City Star, Garcia Architecture’s proposed renovation of the Robeson Middle School that would transform the shuttered middle school into a community center at this property that was formerly the Jewish Community Center at 8201 Holmes Road.

A partnership of Wisdom Exchange Inc., Garcia Architecture, FTE Land and Sports Division, and SMA Management Group LLC proposes a renovation of the one-time Jewish Community Center at 8201 Holmes Road.

The $8.6 million first phase of the renovation plan calls for two sports fields plus indoor basketball and volleyball courts; a swimming, diving and gymnastics facility; yoga rooms; a day care; and other spaces.

The property covers 20 acres between Holmes and Troost Avenue. It was opened as a middle school in the 1980s.

Sean Pickett, a Kansas City lawyer leading the development team, said his interest in school repurposing began about four years ago when he was part of a group that wanted to reuse the former Bingham Middle School property in Waldo for youth and adult sports.

That idea never reached fruition, but the need for such community sports spaces continued to grow, Pickett said Monday afternoon.

Pickett said the partnership has tenants “who jumped in right away” when they heard about the potential Robeson reuse.

If the school district agrees to the partnership’s proposal, Pickett said he hopes to close on a contract in August, begin renovations in September and open at least part of the facility in the fall of 2018.

“That site has been a waste of space for a long time,” Pickett said.

Pickett and Rafael Garcia, an architect and lead designer in the partnership, both grew up within minutes of the Robeson site. They said they’re eager to create a successful project for the neighborhood.

Garcia said the renovated campus also could provide education programs, a culinary school for youths and a youth theater.

Pickett said the partnership will not seek tax increment financing and is unlikely to pursue any tax abatement plan. He said the renovation could be accomplished through traditional bank financing.

“We don’t want to do anything that harms the district in terms of taxes,” Pickett said.

 

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article136829173.html

A Daily Dose of Architecture featured the Samuel U Rodgers Health Center

The glass curtain wall of the south side is eschewed on the north for the same gray metal panels used on the south with the turned-down roof. The minimal, colorless palette outside is countered inside with wood, patterned wall coverings, and white surfaces. The effect is light and warm interiors, aided by the generous glazing on the south that is tempered by mechanical shading. Further, the Health Center attests to “a culturally sensitive way-finding system for patients,” but that is not something visible in the photos here. Regardless it’s evident the Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center is a well-considered design that responds to the needs of the patients and staff as well as the surrounding community, going hand in hand with its mission.

By Linda Russell
Mike Coonrod

April 21, 2015

BRANSON, Mo.– One big property in Branson is about to become a new kind of attraction, while many questions remain about another recently purchased building.  Branson’s new mayor has high hopes for these properties and Branson’s economy.

The buildings at the former Factory Merchants Mall still look the same, but behind the scenes, Ballparks of America says the plans are moving forward.
Ballparks of America partner John Moore says, “When kids come here and get to see the dorms they get to stay in, see the stadiums they get to play in, the 2/3 scale stadiums with real turf, and we already have had just tremendous response, people excited to play here because of that.” Read/view more here.

A Protective Wing: Samuel U Rodgers Health Center provides nurturing and help to the needy in times of trouble

The February 2015 issue of Metal Architecture magazine reviews the design theme and creative use of metal by Garcia Architecture LLC.

Dr. Samuel U Rodgers founded the health center in 1967 to serve the poor, uninsured and needy of Kansas City. It was the first federally recognized community health center in Missouri and only the fourth in the nation.

When the building it had occupied since 1971 was no longer functional for modern health care needs, it retained Rafael Garcia, AIA, Garcia Architecture, Kansas City, to build a new center on property it owned next the building, and Garcia turned to the Pelican for inspiration.  Read more… Read the rest of this entry »

Ball Parks of Branson got a permit for a $24 million youth baseball complex from the planning and zoning commission. The proposed project features replicas of famous fields like Busch Stadium, Wrigley Field, Tiger Stadium and Fenway Park. Featured fields will be focal points of attraction in the project and hold more spectators. The Busch Stadium replica, for example, would hold approximately 1,500 people. The project cost is estimated at slightly more than $24 million after all four phases are completed and the park complex will have 16 ball diamonds after phase four is completed.

The July 20, 2013 issue of Kansas City Hispanic News highlighted the ongoing work at the new Alta Vista Charter School, which is part of Guadalupe Centers Inc (GCI) in Kansas City, Missouri. The opening date for the school is August 19, 2013. Rafael Garcia was mentioned as being president of Garcia Architecture, LLC, the architecture firm handling the design work on the school. Garcia talked of the personal importance of the school to him and his long association with GCI.