As West Bottoms changes, this historic building may get over 100 new apartments

Another proposed development in the West Bottoms would rehabilitate a historic building and add more than 100 new apartments in a neighborhood poised to transform dramatically.

West Bottoms Group, a local development firm owned by Kyle FitzGerald and Zachary Parsons, plan to spruce up the six-story Smith Building, 1101 Mulberry St., in the West Bottoms with 105 new apartments, bringing new residents to what was once an industrial district.

The historic building is over 125 years old and faces significant maintenance needs. The developers have said the project will prepare the building for its next 100 years.

“It’s a beautiful historic building,” Synthia Isah, development manager for the Port of Authority of Kansas City, said at a hearing on Monday. “This is an opportunity to save a building for the West Bottoms that may otherwise be demolished.”

Plans include commercial space on the first floor and five floors of apartments: 20 studios, 70 one-bedrooms and 15 two-bedrooms.

Port KC incentives

The Port KC Board of Commissioners gave initial approval to incentives for the project that include property tax breaks worth $8.5 million over 25 years, while the development would generate $2.3 million during that time — up from $360,000 during that time if the building were left as is.

The project could also receive sales tax breaks on construction materials through Port KC.

More financial support for the project could include tax credits for historic building rehabs and assistance through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Construction could run through 2028.

SomeraRoad project also continues

The local developers’ Smith Building project comes as New York and Nashville-based developer SomeraRoad makes progress on its $500 million-plus project in the West Bottoms, including new apartments in another historic building and a new public gathering space, which could both be done by the end of the year.

SomeraRoad’s projects include both historic rehabs and new construction.

The city, meanwhile, has been working on infrastructure upgrades to the West Bottoms’ streets and utilities. And just over the state lines, the Rock Island Bridge reopened earlier this year as an entertainment district with dining and event spaces.

The Smith Building development team’s experience includes the rehab of 407 Grand Blvd. in the River Market, where TheGymKC has a location.