Black & Veatch Completes Purchase of World Headquarters

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Black & Veatch today finalized its purchase of the 11401 Lamar Avenue building in Overland Park, the headquarters for one of the world’s largest engineering, consulting and construction companies.

The purchase allows the company to begin site development, enhancement and plans for expansion, which is expected to create an economic boost for the region.

“Black & Veatch’s decision to expand in Kansas is a testament to our state’s strong business climate,” said Governor Mark Parkinson. “Kansas is known for its safe communities, great schools and highly educated workforce. We’re so glad to have a global leader like Black & Veatch make Kansas the home of its world headquarters.”

Black & Veatch purchased the 11401 Lamar Avenue building for $60 million, securing part of the financing for the purchase through The Mission Bank in Johnson County, Kansas.

“The combined support of the state of Kansas and the city of Overland Park were instrumental in reaching this milestone,” said Len C. Rodman, Black & Veatch Chairman, President and CEO. “With the completion of this purchase, we can now begin to implement at our world headquarters the same types of innovative and sustainable solutions we provide every day for our clients.”

The new world headquarters will include a solar courtyard, solar canopy, bio garden and an innovation pavilion. There will also be extensive workspace, common area and facility upgrades, as well as energy management upgrades; enhancements in external landscaping; rainwater reuse systems and storm water run-off management. When completed, Black & Veatch’s world headquarters will be LEED certified.

“Bringing these innovative and futuristic enhancements to an older facility to meet tomorrow’s design standards presents a large technical challenge, but is the most sustainable solution for the area,” Rodman added. “It’s a challenge our professionals relish and take tremendous pride in. In addition to these enhancements, we are also planning for an additional 250,000 square-foot complex that will be built, when needed, to accommodate future growth.”

The company has piloted many of the potential design concepts at its more than 100 global offices and will draw on its LEED-certified experts and architecture, engineering and construction talent to bring innovative design concepts to the world headquarters.

“Overland Park knows the value Black & Veatch brings to the city, the state of Kansas and the entire metropolitan Kansas City area,” said Overland Park Mayor Carl Gerlach.

“Its construction plans include truly unique advancements in construction science, and a commitment to the community and environment. Congratulations to the entire Black & Veatch team on its purchase, pending enhancements and eventual expansion,” Gerlach added.

Additional Information:

• Black & Veatch announced on March 23, 2009, its decision to purchase the 11401 Lamar Avenue location after a two-year real estate analysis.
• The analysis included the evaluation of approximately 40 sites across the Kansas City metro region.
• Black & Veatch has been the sole occupant of the building since its original construction in 1976.
• The building was expanded to 600,000 square-feet in 1996 and is the largest office building in Kansas.
• The building currently houses more than 2,300 of the company’s 3,800 workforce in the Kansas City metro region.
• With a potential total of 850,000 square-feet of office space on the campus, the world headquarters site could ultimately accommodate a total workforce of more than 3,400.
• Site development will take place from 2009 through 2010. Building enhancements are planned for 2010 through 2012. Future expansion aligns with Black & Veatch’s long-term strategy.
• The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.
• Video footage of the March 23 purchase agreement announcement is available to the media upon request.

About Black & Veatch

Black & Veatch is a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company specializing in infrastructure development in energy, water, telecommunications, management consulting, federal and environmental markets. Founded in 1915, Black & Veatch develops tailored infrastructure solutions that meet clients’ needs and provide sustainable benefits. Solutions are provided from the broad line of service expertise available within Black & Veatch, including conceptual and preliminary engineering services, engineering design, procurement, construction, financial management, asset management, program management, construction management, environmental, security design and consulting, management consulting and infrastructure planning. With $3.2 billion in revenue, the employee-owned company has more than 100 offices worldwide and has completed projects in more than 100 countries on six continents. The company’s Web site address is www.bv.com.

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