There has been an over(land) abundance of Kansas metro development news recently. We know what you’re thinking — how does this impact you? With tax dollars on the line, neighborhoods in the midst, and literally hundreds of acres on the table, these projects could shape the future of the western metro.
Aspiria
The former Overland Park Sprint campus — now Aspiria — continues to grow its community impact with the approval of a 181-unit apartment (for adults 55 and older) and a nine-story office tower. Leaders are planning a 325-unit apartment complex as well, but extensive details on those + new retail spaces haven’t been released.
The campus is already occupying 140 acres. Occidental Management plans on creating a live, work, and play destination on 60 more acres surrounding the existing campus.
Merriam Kmart
The plan for Merriam’s former Kmart — at 8703 Shawnee Mission Pkwy. — is back to the drawing board after the city denied a request for tax incentives. The plan was to turn the huge space into a grocery store, housing, restaurants, and retail.
Drake Development asked for $35.2 million in tax subsidies to help with building materials and fees. Merriam’s spokesperson, Jenna Gant, said the request didn’t balance both removing blight + protecting taxpayer interests. We’ll keep an eye out for the next big idea.
Deer Creek
The Deer Creek Golf Course — at 7000 W. 133rd St. in Overland Park — will permanently close. The course sustained flooding damage and needed repairs. However, EPC Real Estate Group’s plan to finance the work with new apartments was rejected by the City Council.
The course’s owner, GreatLife KC, will work with EPC to redevelop the golf course land after its closure. A plan is still forthcoming.
Schlitterbahn
The site of the former Schlitterbahn water park has already undergone $75 million in construction — including groundbreakings on apartments, a Camping World store, and a Fairfield by Marriott hotel.
That’s just the beginning of the massive $648.1 million plan for the site, which will be home to a Margaritaville Resort and Homefield LLC — think: a multisport training center + baseball facilities. Going up. The plan is to start vertical construction this fall and open the youth baseball diamonds for the 2023 season.