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Platform Ventures not selling I-49 property to government
Port KC cuts ties with company over rumored ICE detention center sale
Published on Feb. 12, 2026
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Platform Ventures, the company that owns a large warehouse in south Kansas City, has decided not to move forward with selling the property to the U.S. government. This comes after Port KC, the regional port authority, voted to terminate any future negotiations with Platform Ventures, citing concerns that the sale could negatively impact surrounding businesses like Amazon.
Why it matters
The potential sale of the warehouse to the federal government had sparked concerns in the community that it could be used as an ICE detention center. This led the Kansas City, Missouri City Council to vote for a five-year moratorium on new detention centers in the city. The decision by Platform Ventures not to sell the property to the government is seen as a win for community activists who opposed the potential detention center.
The details
Port KC President and CEO John Stephens said the company's move to sell the site does not align with Port KC's goal to create logistics and manufacturing jobs, as originally promised. Port KC believes the sale could negatively impact surrounding businesses like Amazon. While Port KC cannot fully stop the sale, they are working to slow down the purchase process.
- In early January, Port KC last communicated with Platform Ventures on a different topic.
- Last month, the Kansas City, Missouri City Council voted for a five-year moratorium on new detention centers in the city.
The players
Platform Ventures
The company that owns a large warehouse in south Kansas City that was rumored to be sold to the federal government for an ICE detention center.
Port KC
The regional port authority that has voted to terminate any future negotiations with Platform Ventures over concerns about the potential sale.
John Stephens
The President and CEO of Port KC.
Kansas City, Missouri City Council
The city council that voted for a five-year moratorium on new detention centers in the city in response to the rumored sale.
What they’re saying
“Fundamentally, you consider a building for a use that is not what was intended and what the public was promised. We are not supportive of that at any level.”
— John Stephens, President and CEO, Port KC (KMBC)
“When we enter into an agreement, developers that want to invest in our community, they should profit, but the community should benefit also.”
— John Stephens, President and CEO, Port KC (KMBC)
What’s next
Port KC is working to slow down the purchase process for the warehouse, but they acknowledge they cannot fully stop the sale.
The takeaway
The decision by Platform Ventures not to sell the warehouse to the federal government is seen as a victory for community activists who opposed the potential use of the site as an ICE detention center. However, the situation highlights the ongoing tensions between developers, local authorities, and community concerns over the use of commercial properties.
