Wyandotte County Apartment Developments Delayed as Construction Costs Surge

Wyandotte County’s Apartment Projects Hit Pause Due to Rising Costs

As the beautiful city of Wyandotte County faces some bumps on the road of apartment development, it seems like patience will be key in the coming years. Developers are asking for more time to work on two major apartment projects due to the soaring costs of construction and labor. This news brings a mix of emotions as residents are eager for new living spaces, but the realities of the market can make things tricky.

Extensions Granted by the Economic Development Committee

On Monday, the Economic Development and Finance Committee stepped in to help. In a unanimous decision, they approved construction extensions for two key apartment projects. The final say, however, will come from the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, during a meeting set for November 21.

One significant project involves Criterion Development Partners LLC, which is set to build 232 apartments at the northeast corner of 115th Street and State Avenue. These units will vary in size from 780 to 1,340 square feet. Originally, construction was slated to kick off in July 2023. However, due to the rising costs and various market challenges, the start date has been pushed to December 2025, with a completion target of December 2027.

A Reflection on Market Conditions

Legal representative Curt Petersen shared his insights with the committee, saying, “All over the Kansas City metro area, only 10% of projects are moving forward right now.” He pinpointed a combination of factors contributing to these delays, including high construction pricing, elevated interest rates, and banks tightening their lending practices. It paints a clear picture—developers are feeling the pinch.

More Delays Ahead for Woodside Rosedale Apartments

In a similar scenario, an 18-month construction extension was also secured for the Woodside Rosedale apartments, to be built near the University of Kansas Medical Center by Tanner & White Properties Inc. and Block Real Estate Services LLC. Originally scheduled to start on January 1, 2025, construction is now set to commence in July 2026, with an anticipated completion date of June 30, 2029.

Bob Johnson, an attorney supporting the Woodside Rosedale project, echoed Petersen’s views, declaring, “The capital markets have been essentially restricted for the last year and a half.” With construction and labor costs skyrocketing, it makes it difficult for new developments to be financially feasible, especially for high-end apartments.

505 Central Apartment Project Also Affected

Let’s not forget about another exciting project — the 505 Central apartment complex! The Sunflower Development Group originally aimed to build a striking eight-story structure near the intersection of Sixth and Hallock streets. With plans for 129 apartments and two floors of underground parking, they initially aimed for a start in March 2025. Now, they will kick things off in March 2026, with hopes to finish by March 2028.

If all goes smoothly and the extensions are formally granted for both the Woodside Rosedale and Criterion projects, then Wyandotte County will see a delay in the launch of over 500 apartments. Clearly, the landscape of apartment development is changing and it’s crucial for everyone involved to adapt. For now, the message is loud and clear: good things come to those who wait!

As future residents hold their breath in anticipation, developers will keep pushing forward, navigating the challenging waters of the current construction climate in Wyandotte County.