Michael Kennedy Sr. was bubbling as he walked up to Gateway Middle School for Science and Technology on 1200 N. Jefferson Ave.
“There’s really something interesting on the other side of this door,” said Kennedy, the chairman and CEO of KAI Design & Build.
In the designing process 15 years ago, Kennedy and KAI architects called it a two-acre “theme park,” a natural outdoor classroom for the math and science students. Yet, “theme park” never stuck with students and teachers, Kennedy learned. They now call it the “courtyard,” which seems a likely name because it’s enclosed on all sides by buildings.
The courtyard has every native tree in Missouri and different footprints from native animals. There’s a windmill that churns the water into a stream, making its way into a pond. A circular deck overlooks the pond and lily pads.
Kennedy trips over his words to explain all the various highlights at the same time. His passion remains constant when talking about all of KAI’s buildings, including the St. Louis City Justice Center, the Millennium Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, affordable housing units in Old North St. Louis and various public schools.
On Wednesday, Nov. 10, Kennedy will receive the Entrepreneur of the Year award at the St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Business Awards & Networking Luncheon. The award ceremony will be at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at 12 p.m., with a networking reception from 11 a.m. to noon.
“This recognition is meaningful to me because I’ve always felt that I was in a profession that few African Americans are involved in – and that my performance over the years would reflect on an entire community,” Kennedy said.
“This is the recognition I’ve been looking for for 30 years that tells me that I’ve done something that my community feels good about.”
Kennedy founded KAI in 1980 in St. Louis, and then opened offices in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Many of KAI’s local buildings serve an important public service. KAI got its first major national recognition, a National Endowment for the Arts award, after designing the 21 Metrolink stations in St. Louis. Now KAI is in the process of completing a building in Old North St. Louis called Cambridge Heights Hope VI, which includes 243 affordable living units and a senior living building. The new structures are part of KAI’s 10-year effort to revitalize the North Side neighborhood, Kennedy said.
Cambridge Heights is intended to provide downtown living space for the people who work in venues such as the Edward Jones Dome, hotels, the convention center and casinos, he said.
“The folks who live in Cambridge will be able to walk to work,” Kennedy said. “They are not the folks that can afford to live in the expensive housing on Washington Avenue, so this is an opportunity to live near where they work.”
KAI also designs academic spaces that bring in “life and light,” including Lucas Crossing Elementary in Normandy, Clyde Miller Career Academy on 1000 N. Grand Blvd. and the Millennium Center at UMSL.
KAI’s trademark is high, glass-paned roofs that invite in ample natural light.
One of Kennedy’s favorite designs is the “spinal cord” of the Career Academy. It’s a three-story atrium space that looks like a prism of window panes from the outside. The peak of the prism acts as a spine that connects the gymnasium, cafeteria and offices of administration, filling them all with fresh light and life, Kennedy said.
“You can hear it; you can feel the activity that goes on in this space,” Kennedy said. “On a sunny day, it’s an awesome environment.”
Leonard Toms, video audio technician at Gateway, remembers bringing in books after the buildings received its final touches. On the warm overcast afternoon of Oct. 27, some of Toms’ students were making commercial videos on the rock formations by the stream.
“Everything that’s out here is education,” Toms said of the courtyard. “And to know what was here before – Pruitt-Igoe – and to see it develop…”
Toms shook his head and smiled.
When Kennedy drives around the area, he passes fire stations, high schools and other buildings that the firm designed.
“We’ve done so much in this community,” he said. “And there is still a lot in the community to improve, so we hope to be working on it for a long time.”
Aside from KAI’s work, Kennedy has served on many boards, including Forest Park Hospital, United Way of Greater St. Louis and the Downtown St. Louis Partnership.
Kennedy also advocates for minority businesses statewide as a member of the Missouri Minority Advocacy Commission.
“When he truly puts his mind into something, he’s tremendously focused,” said Michael Kennedy, Jr., president of KAI and the awardee’s son. “The commission tries to help the State come up with more opportunities for minority businesses.”
Kennedy Sr. strongly believes in strengthening the local business community, because when he started his business 30 years ago, his sole purpose was to take care of his family while enjoying his career.
“We’ve been truly blessed that he’s been able to take care of 100 others as well,” Kennedy Jr. said.
“Many have said, ‘The reason I work here is because of your family and how you treat everyone as a family member.’ They don’t want to be another number some place else. As an entrepreneur, that deserves recognition.”
The St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Business Awards & Networking Luncheon, presented by title sponsor Harris-Stowe’s Busch School of Business, will be held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at 12 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, with a networking event from at 11 a.m. to noon. General seating is $75, tables of 10 are $750. Preferred seating is $100/$1,000. Call 314-533-8000 ext. 305.
