Demolition of Bannister Complex represents end of era

Just a few bricks are all that remains of the once massive 300-acre property known as the Bannister Federal Complex in south Kansas City. Built in the 1940s to support the war, the facility served as the National Nuclear Security Administration’s primary manufacturing facility until 2014.

After moving the operations to the Kansas City National Security Campus, NNSA transferred the property ownership to a developer for the demolition and remediation phase. The property is ideally situated for future development of modern manufacturing and industrial buildings, but the final decision for use of the property will depend on customer requirements.

In just a few short months, almost 91 percent, or 3.4 million square feet, of the former government complex has been demolished to make way for eventual warehouse space and other uses. 

Current and past employees gathered to watch the final demolition of the Bannister Federal Complex, home of the Kansas City mission for 65 of our 70 years. From World War II through the Cold War, the Bannister Federal Complex was critical to our nation’s security. We look forward to watching the transformation into its next mission.