City of Kansas City, MO
01/15/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/15/2026 13:00
Mayor Lucas Shares Port KC Statement Regarding Former Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base Facility
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Mayor Quinton Lucas's office today is sharing a letter issued by Port KC to commissioners and partners regarding an industrial building at 4001 East 149th Street at the former Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base.
"We are working to verify reports about potential DHS detention facilities in Kansas City," said Mayor Lucas. "Regardless of what we learn, I want to reaffirm our city's commitment to being welcoming and inclusive. Kansas City has always been a place that embraces growth and opportunity, not fear and division. We believe in ensuring that all who live and visit our community feel valued and respected. Building a city, or a nation, on fear runs counter to the very ideals America was founded upon."
Port KC's Letter Below:
"Dear commissioners and partners,
Port KC has been made aware of rumors regarding an industrial building at 4001 E 149th Street at the former Richards-Gebaur Airbase. The building and the land it is on are wholly-owned and managed by Platform Ventures, a Kansas City-based real estate company.
In 2022, Port KC entered into a development agreement with Platform Ventures to build multiple industrial buildings on the site. The development plan was intended to bring logistics and manufacturing jobs to an area and community of need. The reclamation of the former airbase has been highly successful, with several manufacturing and advanced logistics tenants occupying buildings alongside a modern intermodal hub.
To be clear, the building referenced was built and occupied solely as an advanced logistics and industrial facility. It is wholly owned by a private entity. Port KC has very limited ability to disallow a sale of the facility. Under no circumstances would Port KC offer any development support to a use that is not consistent with our mission to bring quality industrial and logistics jobs to the community.
We will continue to monitor any proposed sale or use of the Platform Ventures facility that would change its use.
The reclamation of the former airbase has been a success story because it is a hub of manufacturing and private logistics development. It is our intent to ensure that the area, now named 49 Crossing, stays true to the vision of being an innovative jobs hub."
"We are working to verify reports about potential DHS detention facilities in Kansas City," said Mayor Lucas. "Regardless of what we learn, I want to reaffirm our city's commitment to being welcoming and inclusive. Kansas City has always been a place that embraces growth and opportunity, not fear and division. We believe in ensuring that all who live and visit our community feel valued and respected. Building a city, or a nation, on fear runs counter to the very ideals America was founded upon."
Port KC's Letter Below:
"Dear commissioners and partners,
Port KC has been made aware of rumors regarding an industrial building at 4001 E 149th Street at the former Richards-Gebaur Airbase. The building and the land it is on are wholly-owned and managed by Platform Ventures, a Kansas City-based real estate company.
In 2022, Port KC entered into a development agreement with Platform Ventures to build multiple industrial buildings on the site. The development plan was intended to bring logistics and manufacturing jobs to an area and community of need. The reclamation of the former airbase has been highly successful, with several manufacturing and advanced logistics tenants occupying buildings alongside a modern intermodal hub.
To be clear, the building referenced was built and occupied solely as an advanced logistics and industrial facility. It is wholly owned by a private entity. Port KC has very limited ability to disallow a sale of the facility. Under no circumstances would Port KC offer any development support to a use that is not consistent with our mission to bring quality industrial and logistics jobs to the community.
We will continue to monitor any proposed sale or use of the Platform Ventures facility that would change its use.
The reclamation of the former airbase has been a success story because it is a hub of manufacturing and private logistics development. It is our intent to ensure that the area, now named 49 Crossing, stays true to the vision of being an innovative jobs hub."
City of Kansas City, MO published this content on January 15, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 15, 2026 at 19:00 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]