2025 BRICK BY BRICK AWARDS
On April 23, 2025, KCIC held its annual Brick-by-Brick Awards at Boulevard Brewing Company. The awards recognize businesses that have made outstanding contributions to the economic strength of the industrial core of Kansas City. These businesses invest in and strengthen Kansas City’s industrial districts, and beyond. This year, we recognized six businesses and organizations based on the key principles of the Brick-by-Brick awards: capital improvements, job creation, improved infrastructure and relocation or expansion in one of the city’s industrial areas.
Congratulations to our 2025 Brick by Brick Awards Winners for making Kansas City a better place to work and succeed:
By relocating and leasing a 70,000 square foot building in the new industrial park at 95th and Troost, ErLab is helping revitalize the Dodson Industrial Area. ErLab specializes in air filtration for laboratories and their new facility has created more than 30 jobs. By moving to their new space, they’ve been able to add augmented manufacturing resources to their capabilities.
The EDC and Industrial Development Authority partnered to study and create a viable economic strategy for the Blue River Corridor. Their vision took off once the Foundation for Regeneration was hired. The team has generated significant interest in the area from prospective companies, entrepreneurs, and investors to redevelop this 6,000-acre area of Kansas City. Their strategy includes industry cluster development, infrastructure plans and site preparation.
Buck O’Neil Bridge Design-Build Project
The original Buck O’Neil Bridge, which opened in 1956, was nearing the end of its projected lifespan. MODOT and the City of Kansas City, Missouri, worked together to procure the $220 million dollars needed to rebuild the bridge and construct additional infrastructure enhancements. Designed to last for 100 years, the new Buck O’Neil Bridge enhances accessibility, safety and connectivity, and reduces travel time for pedestrians and motorists. The new bridge was a collective effort from HNTB, MoDOT and the City; between the jobs created during construction and investment in infrastructure, the project has provided numerous benefits to the economic strength of our city.
KC Water Outfall 055 Dry Weather Sewer Line Project
The Outfall 055 Dry Weather Sewer Line Project located in the Lower Blue River Basin is a $1.5 million-dollar project that included the installation of new sanitary and combined sewers to eliminate combined sewer overflows into the Blue River. Removing these overflows helps protect the health of Kansas Citians and our natural environment. The project was substantially completed last August.
KC Water North of the River Buckeye Creek Project
The North of the River Buckeye Creek Inflow & Infiltration Reduction and Water Main Replacement Projects combined two major infrastructure projects into one impressive $17 million-dollar contract. Thanks to this contract, KC Water made improvements to both water and wastewater systems in the Northland. Now complete, the project has improved water service, reduced the volume of sewer overflows, and rehabilitated fire hydrants, manholes and more to like-new conditions.
KC Water Hardesty Avenue and 31st Street Relief Sewer
The Hardesty Avenue and 31st Street Relief Sewer project required the installation of approximately 3,500 feet — or nearly a dozen football fields! — of combined sewer pipe. This project area was in a predominantly commercial and industrial area of the Blue Valley, and a handful of small businesses were heavily affected. Now complete, the capacity of the system and volume of flow to the wastewater treatment plant has increased, reducing the potential for combined sewer overflows into the nearby Blue River.
Swope Park Industrial Area 75th Street Realignment and Bridge
Swope Park Industrial Park is an economically vital complex made up of many manufacturing facilities that make a significant contribution to our local economy. But it’s also located in a floodplain, with a hazardous at-grade railroad crossing notorious for causing delays in traffic. To resolve these issues, a 352-foot flyover bridge was constructed, along with a new 7,000-foot floodwall and levee that offers critical protection to the area — and the businesses that provide more than 400 jobs. This transformative initiative by Transystems and Kansas City Public Works improves safety, flood protection, and economic stability while resolving long-standing transportation and flooding challenges.
Jason Waldron, Director of Transportation, City of Kansas City, Missouri
Jason has been involved with the Kansas City Streetcar Program from the very beginning — starting with early conceptual planning, through design and construction, and into passenger service. His leadership has been instrumental in the system’s starter line and subsequent expansions to UMKC and the Riverfront. Our community is directly strengthened by his efforts, and his dedication and drive have brought a generational investment to our economy and has transformed the streetcar corridor.
Thank you to all of our sponsors and board members for helping to make this awards program possible again this year.