Cultivating a community seeking reconciliation, transforming Troost from a dividing line into a gathering place, and reveal the strength of all.
For more than 30 years, Reconciliation Services has worked to address the root causes of the economic and racial disparities facing individuals in the urban core of Kansas City, Missouri. Specifically striving to reach our neighbors living in the 10 neighborhoods east of Troost Avenue, Kansas City’s historic economic and racial dividing line, as they face the highest rates of poverty, poor physical and mental health outcomes, violence, lack of education, and lack of access to life stabilizing resources. Additionally, they strive to bring neighbors together from different socioeconomic and racial backgrounds in an effort to create meaningful community connections that can lead to reconciliation.
Reconciliation Services comes alongside a vulnerable population with companionship, tools, and skills, to help them discover their strengths, increase their well-being, and participate in improving the health of their community.
About the Project
Reconciliation Services currently operates in a 4-story, 21,500 SF building on the corner of 31st and Troost. Originally built in the early 1900s, the building has been the site of several iconic stores and institutions, including, the President’s Shirt Shop and the Minority Contractor’s Union.
For decades, RS has successfully operated in their aging building, but it has become increasingly unsafe and inefficient. Straub is proud to partner with LM2 Construction and BNIM on this monumental renovation that will enhance and expand Reconciliation Services’ operations and functionality.
Phase I Construction includes completing a new shell and renovation to bring the building into compliance with modern codes and safety standards. This will include new electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems, new sprinklers, a monitored fire alarm system, new fire doors, and improved primary building exits and wayfinding. The facade will undergo brick tuck-pointing, new windows, and sidewalk and public right-of-way upgrades.
Thelma’s Kitchen, a pay-what-you-can café, will increase seating capacity by relocating their commercial kitchen into the current cafe space, increasing kitchen and preparation space, and updating new kitchen equipment. A new Thelma’s Kitchen Box Lunch commercial kitchen will be added to the renovated basement below the primary kitchen, helping reduce operating costs by allowing large food donations to be kept on-site and fresh.
Demolition will begin March 2022 with anticipated construction beginning in May/June with a 16-month duration.
Project Team
LaTasha McCall, Community Engagement & Prime Subcontractor
LM2 Construction
Kody Simmons, Project Manager
Jeff Walters, Sr. Superintendent
Henry Falk, Preconstruction
