New construction. New businesses. New housing. The economy’s booming in south KC.

The Sky’s the Limit!

The future is bright for new construction and businesses in south KC

Compiled by Telegraph staff

Twice a year we update our readers on new construction and businesses in the area. Each time the list get longer. This is the longest yet and may include a few surprises.

Fishtech – Fishtech officially moved in to its new Cyber Defense Center, 13333 Holmes Rd. on February 1. An open house of the 20,000 square foot facility is set for May 3. In the spring, work will begin on the outdoor pavilion, the walking trails, and the par 3 golf hole near the Center.

Burns & McDonnell – The 550-stall parking garage on the south side of Burns & McDonnell’s world headquarters at 9450 Ward Pkwy. should be completed by May. An adjoining office building will begin construction this spring. The new building will contain 780 office seats, 42 conference rooms and two large training rooms. Its completion date is Summer 2020.

Cerner Innovations Campus – Two office towers are being built south of the current  buildings already completed on the site where Bannister Mall once stood. J.E. Dunn Construction officials estimate the 8-story tower with a penthouse should be completed by December 2019 and the 11-story tower with a penthouse should be completed by April 2020.

Residential Developments

Forest Ridge Villas – Over 10 acres along Charlotte St., immediately east of JackStack BBQ in Martin City, have been purchased for the purpose of developing an apartment complex overlooking Jackson County Parks. The apartments will be leased at market rate and will include walking trails, a pool and possible dog park. Plans are still in the development phase, however, and have yet to be submitted to the city.

135th & Holmes Apartments – Christie Development Associates have purchased 20 acres at the corner of 135th Street and Holmes Rd. which include Martin City Paintball. Paintball remains open as developers seek approval from the City to build 188 units on the property including 8 acres of retail space (sit-down restaurants). Should the City approve plans the multifamily complex will lease high-end apartments.  

Riverbirch – Construction is expected to start this spring on RiverBirch, an upscale multifamily housing complex on about 50 acres of vacant land south of I-435 and west of I-49. It will contain 204 units with garages in 51 two-story fourplexes.  Construction of the first phase of the project is expected to take a little over a year, and construction of the final 96-unit phase should start shortly after the first phase is complete.

Retirement Living

Village Coop of Verona Hills – Construction of the retirement village for active seniors at 108th Street and Wornall is moving quickly.  Anticipated move in date is April 26. There is currently a waiting list to get into the 63-unit facility.

The Madison – Ground was broken in September to begin building a 150-unit retirement center on 10 acres at the west corner of 150 Hwy and Wyandotte St. The Madison will be a moderately priced residential complex for those over the age of 55 and will include independent living, assisted living and memory care rooms. Plans also include a therapeutic pool, salon, fitness center, movie room, men’s game room and a 24-hour kitchen.

Luxury Garage Condos

KC Kaves – The 78-unit deluxe garage condo west of  150 Highway and Wyandotte is expected to open by the end of March.  Two of the three buildings–each containing 26 units–have already been spoken for.

Auto Toy Barn – Sandwiched between Rob Sight Ford Collision Center and Lukas Liquor Super Store, 139th & Washington, is a newly built luxury car condo consisting of two buildings. The Toy Barn is in the final stages of development. Small units or an entire garage will eventually be available for purchase.

Big Garages – Big Garages, a 110-unit garage condo for the everyman, will be located 200 feet behind Martin City Golf Center, 3 E. 135 St. The property has been purchased but plans for now are stalled.

Organizations

Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City – Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City hopes to start construction of its new 30,000-square-foot museum and child development center in the northwest corner of the Red Bridge Shopping Center in March with construction completed in 9 to 12 months. Donors will be recognized on the new museum’s special donor wall.

Red Bridge Branch of MCPL – The $2 million renovation of space formerly used as a bowling alley in the Red Bridge Shopping Center to serve as the new Red Bridge Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library is underway, and library officials hope it will open by June or July. The renovated space at 453B East Red Bridge Rd. adjacent to Euston Hardware will contain a little over 14,300 square feet, more than 2,300 square feet larger than the current branch at 11140 Locust. It will include a large community room, small collaboration/conference rooms, a children’s area, new computers for public use, new furnishings and an outdoor seating area.

Barstow School – Barstow School is adapting the former HyVee supermarket, 121st and State Line Rd., into a 62,680 square foot learning environment, increasing its campus facilities by more than 50 percent. The Leawood campus will include STEAM classrooms, robotics labs and flexible learning environments as well as an early childhood center. Demolition plans are being submitted to the city later this month. The campus is scheduled to open this fall.

Businesses

KC Running Company – KC Running Company moved its race management offices from 411 E. 135 St into the older Hardee’s building at 200 E. 135th in October 2018. They plan to move their Leawood retail store near 135th & Roe into the Martin City space by March 1. The move will have both the race management and specialty running store operations in one place and provide packet pickups for races (with a drive through window option) together with group runs twice a week on Thursday and Sunday.

Change Now CrossFit –Change Now CrossFit gym and fitness center opened February 1 taking over the former Charles D. Jones Co. building at 611 E. 99^th St. on the southwest quadrant of 99^th & Holmes Rd. and will have a formal ribbon cutting at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 19.

UMB – Rumors have been swirling regarding reconstruction of UMB bank at State Line Rd. and I-435. A spokesman for the bank has issued a statement saying only that the bank will be “enhanced.”

Tesla/State Line Shopping Center – Einstein Bagel and a crumbling car wash have given way to a new drive-thru Panera and  Chipotle restaurants. Phase II of the development, which includes everything north of Panera/Chipotle, should be completed in March. Tesla is finalizing their plans and permits and plans to start construction soon. There is no target date for them yet.   

Ward Parkway Shopping Center – The two restaurant spaces at the south end of Ward Parkway Shopping Center have been filled. An announcement on one of them should be forthcoming.

Restaurants

Burger State –  The new hamburger restaurant opened in mid January at the old Smokestack, and most recently, The Stack, barbecue location at 89th & Wornall Rd. Some of its popular features include the Impossible Burger, Fried Burger and even Paleo Burger among others.

The Burger Joint – A sign adjacent to Martin City Coffee, 130th & Holmes, advertised a drive-thru burger joint. But that sign was removed, spawning much curiosity whether the burger joint was still in the works. Owner Penny Romera explains that concrete planning for the burger venture initially seemed like a lot to take on while running the coffee shop. But groundbreaking for the burger spot may begin as soon as mid-February.  

JackStack BBQ – A large portion of the parking lot remodel is complete at the Martin City location, 135th & Holmes. The next phase, which includes the creation of a new kitchen on the South side of the current restaurant, begins in Spring of 2019. The proposed finish date is Spring 2020. The restaurant will remain in operation during that time.

Ice Cream Station – Though the orange building clearly says Mysourceautomotive.com at 411 E. 135 St., it is now the offices of the Martin City Brewing Company. The facade will soon be transformed into a concessions stand for homemade ice cream created by a chef at Martin City Brew Pub. Patio seating will be available. They hope to have it operating in time for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 10.

Dairy Queen – A new Dairy Queen is being built at 1100 W. 135 Terr., off State Line Rd. and 150 Hwy (between Big O Tires and Bank of America and behind PetCo). The 3208 square foot building will be made of red brick exterior. Opening date is set for April. A second Dairy Queen is also being built at 6001 Main St. in Grandview.

Dos de Oros –  Dos De Oros Restaurant is on track to expand into an empty tavern space just north of its current location.  Plans include adding a bar and seating for 80 diners.  Maria Meraz and Miguel Cervantes, owners of the popular Mexican food eatery are planning to complete expansion in time for summer.  Dos de Oros Restaurant is located at 13029 Holmes Road.

Brookside Barrio – Brookside Barrio is set to begin reconstruction of 5000 square feet of interior space and 2000 square feet of outdoor patio space at the northeast corner of Red Bridge Shopping Center, south of Crows Coffee. The restaurant serves popular Mexican fare and is known for its tequilas.

The Comedy Club of Kansas City – The Comedy Club of Kansas City, 1130 W 103 St.  will be opening March 14 in the former Waid’s Restaurant location in the Watt’s Mill Plaza. Touring comics will appear on weekends, with open mic nights for hopeful amateurs occurring each Wednesday. Dinner service will be offered, with no drink minimums. The club will seat 250 people.