The fire code modification and subsequent $1 million savings for Hy-Vee Arena in Kansas City that was achieved by Henderson Engineers experts Paul Villotti and Bob Renton was featured in the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) Region 6 newsletter for December. In successfully attaining the code modification, Villotti and Renton provided an innovative solution that did not require the application of spray applied fire resistant materials (SFRM) on the massive amount of steel supporting the newly-constructed second floor that was inserted at the previous upper deck level of the facility.

Villotti, director of life safety, and Renton, director of forensic engineering, presented a reasonable, detailed, and equivalent safety scheme to the code board that saved Foutch Brothers — owners of the facility — substantially and also helped keep the project timeline on schedule.

The Kansas City Business Journal also outlined the process in a Nov. 6 article.

Henderson provided the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and technology consulting services during the renovation of the arena. You can view a video of Henderson’s services at the arena below as well as the IAVM newsletter article.

Hy-Vee Arena — formerly known as Kemper Arena in the Historic West Bottoms Entertainment District — is a $39 million repurposed venue that is a first-of-its-kind space with 12 full-sized hardwood courts and a 350-meter track, along with fitness, training, retail, shopping, dining, gaming, and recovery spaces all under one roof.