Knight Ridder Inc.’s Kansas City (Mo.) Star announced its long-awaited plans for a new production facility that will aid the city’s downtown redevelopment — but The Star has not selected a press manufacturer.

Although all big press orders are important, The Star’s (daily, 266,264; Sunday, 379,664) decision on presses is a critical one for the U.S. newspaper production industry. The number of large newspapers that have older presses in need of upgrading has dwindled.

ýAN Roland’s recent win in supplying GeoMAN presses for the Gannett- and Knight Ridder-owned Detroit Newspapers Sterling Heights, Mich., $170-million plant expansion left press manufacturers TKS, WIFAG, Heidelberg and KBA North America Inc. anxious for a big 2002 U.S. press order for themselves.

“We don’t know yet,” said Star Production Manager Randy Waters, when asked which press manufacturers his company is considering. Waters and his team began traveling overseas to visit press manufacturers in August.

The $199-million, 430,000-square-foot complex will occupy two city blocks northeast of the current newspaper headquarters at 1729 Grand Blvd., The Star said last week. The new plant is scheduled to begin printing in early 2006.

The plan is for four, 60-foot-high presses that will support split production, allowing for double folders running independently.

Waters said he is looking at double-width, offset presses, computer-to-plate systems, outside-produced controls or controls supplied by the press manufacturer and the latest postpress sorting, packaging and distribution equipment.

He does not expect to purchase untested or developmental technology, he said.

“It’s a statement that Knight Ridder’s made a commitment in the newspaper industry and showing the people at The Star and others that the technology’s here to stay. Newspapers are still a viable media,” Waters said.

The multi-level building will rise from four stories on the south end to eight stories on the north end, where the four presses will be installed, according to a report in The Star.

It will feature a facade that allows downtown passers-by and highway drivers to look into the press operation.

The Star intends to take advantage of about $19 million in tax incentives from the city in developing the 3-acre site, of which 90 percent of the property has been acquired.

In recent years, downtown Kansas City has seen a $144-million expansion of Bartle Hall and $250-million redevelopment of Union Station. Planners hope The Star facility will complement the planned $300-million Metropolitan Kansas City Performing Arts Center six blocks to the west.