B&B Theaters to anchor $228 million mixed-use development with 600 homes in Belton

By Ben McCarthy

This month, Belton approved a rezoning application to bring the city a step closer to a $228 million mixed-use development project for its Uptown Entertainment District — one that officials are positioning as a catalyst for growth in the region.

“This will put Belton on the map,” Ward 4 Council Member Wanda Thompson told the Telegraph.

The planned 40-acre complex will be built on the northwest corner of Cedar Street and North Avenue, across from Price Chopper. It will bring more than 660 new housing units, five new restaurants, 7,500 square feet of retail space, and 110,000 square feet for an entertainment complex anchored by B&B Theaters. 

City officials are calling the project a massive win for Cass County, one that could have a transformative effect on south Kansas City. Belton Mayor Norman Larkey sees it as a step in pushing young professionals to stay in the area or come back to raise their families. 

“When I ran for mayor five years ago, people were requesting something just like this that would provide family entertainment here so they didn’t have to leave Belton to find it,” Larkey said. “When I hired Joe Warren as city manager, the first thing we put to him was to develop some kind of entertainment complex. This concept is exactly in line with what we had envisioned.”

The entertainment portion of the complex will feature B&B Theatres, whose amenities could mirror that of a B&B complex scheduled to open in Houston next year. That theater is set to include pickleball courts, an arcade, bowling, and a go-kart track. However, the company is not ready to confirm specifics of the Belton project, said Paul Farnsworth, executive director of communications for B&B Theaters. 

Now the sixth-largest movie theater chain in North America, B&B Theaters previously discussed with the Telegraph the company’s plans to roll out the entertainment complex concept at more new theaters around the country.

“When I started three and a half years ago, we all agreed that a mixed-use project was needed to change the perception of Belton,” City Manager Warren said. “This project will create a first-of-its-kind entertainment venue for the city and add over 600 multi-family housing units options in the market, which is the only way we can help stabilize rent.” 

Wichita-based real estate developer PETRA is leading the project. The company told the Telegraph the entire complex isn’t expected to be finished until 2033, but more than 300 units and the theater will be ready by 2028. 

Tyler Burks, managing director of development for PETRA and a 2010 graduate of Belton High School, presented preliminary plans for the Uptown District to the City Council on March 10. Several council members told the Telegraph Burks’ presentation and connection to the area were key in the unanimous vote for approval. 

DLR Group will serve as the master plan architect of the broader layout of the district, while Clockwork Architecture is spearheading the design for B&B Theatres. PETRA says the project will create more than 500 construction jobs and 600 permanent positions within the complex.

“I can’t stress enough that Tyler’s work and his background here did wonders for the project,” Ward 1 council member Alex McCallum said. “He grew up here and knows about the lack of entertainment options for young people.”

McCallum echoed other city officials who were also enthusiastic about the project’s potential for economic opportunity in Belton while also driving foot traffic toward what he calls a “beautiful gem of a downtown.” 

Burks said that Phase 1 will see 312 housing units completed by next year or early 2028 at the latest. He said the movie theater portion will also be done by 2028. The restaurants will range from fast casual offerings (think Applebee’s) to more upscale dining. Some of the space may be turned into a collective of chef-driven restaurant options, similar to Strang Hall in Overland Park.  

Burks also said B&B Theaters is in talks with the nearby Belton Cinema 8 to acquire it in the near future. B&B would take over operations until its new movie theater is open for business. Then, Belton Cinema 8 would be demolished. City Manager Warren said the old theater being put up for sale accelerated the decision to go that route.

“You never want to bring in something new that will knock out something already here,” Warren said. “But their model is struggling.” 

Willie Walker, longtime general manager of Belton Cinema 8 who employs many family members at the operation, acknowledged the predicament.

“I don’t know where to start,” Walker said. “They certainly didn’t reach out to me, but I had heard some rumblings and asked around.” 

Elkhart, Kansas-based Mitchell Theaters, who owns the Belton Cinema 8, did not respond to the Telegraph’s request for an interview. The company operates 14 other locations around the country, offering some of the lowest prices for cinema tickets in the Kansas City area. Walker said he is in touch with the company and will accept what the future holds.