Project Gateway

Project Gateway

Kansas City, MO

1.5 MSF

Start: Feb. 26, 2024

Sub. Complete: May. 23, 2024

Nearly a half mile in length, Project Gateway is a 1.5-million-square-foot distribution center located in Kansas City, Missouri. This structure is a standard, high-box building mostly erected with roof panels, with one section of traditionally erected roof panels due to interior tilt walls in one corner.

The centralized location of this project, Kansas City, is ideal. It’s a hub for transportation and distribution by major freeways, navigable waterways, rail networks, and air, so close to the airport planes could be seen around 700 ft. directly above the building as they came in for landing.

This project provided an opportunity to continue to strengthen the partnership we’ve long had with the general contractor. A new steel fabricator collaborated with BZI to erect the building, providing an opportunity to establish a strong working relationship. Our new steel fabrication partner excelled in delivering materials to the site on schedule and consistently exceeded expectations throughout the project.

As it often is, the weather presented a significant challenge for our team in this project. The Midwest, especially this region, is known for its unpredictable weather. Initially, it was the cold winter temperatures, but as the project progressed, we saw high winds, creating a major hurdle. Over forty tornados were reported in the Midwest throughout the duration of the project, although none were seen from the job site while BZI’s team was on site.

The Gateway project showcased the strength and adaptability of the BZI team as they navigated new roles, challenges, and unpredictable weather conditions to deliver success.

Key contributors included Sanford Jessop, stepping into the welding foreman role and excelling through determination and growth. Edson Barlow played a pivotal role in advancing work on the columns and girders, while River Jessop motivated the decking crew and Randy Jessop ensured smooth oversight of all expansion lines. James Jeffs, a new addition to the team, quickly adapted to BZI systems and excelled as project engineer, bringing a sharp, solution-focused mindset to the role.

Despite setbacks from wind, rain, and lightning, the team completed the project on schedule. The general contractor praised BZI’s unwavering commitment to safety protocols, which effectively prevented significant injuries and underscored our dedication to both quality and well-being.