Plans for a senior center a possibility for Robandee Shopping Center 

South KC Perspective

By John Sharp

Plans to demolish and redevelop the long-blighted Robandee Shopping Center area on the northeast quadrant of Bannister & James A. Reed Roads to provide senior housing and supportive services were presented to a well-attended public meeting August 25.

The redevelopment proposal calls for constructing 150 units of mixed income senior housing in three 3-story buildings with a community building & clubhouse with wellness services, pickleball court, community gardens, walking trails and a large outdoor event space.

The $70 million redevelopment proposal to be called 95 Williams Cove Senior Village named after former longtime Hickman Mills School District Superintendent & community leader Dr. Marjorie Williams was made by the SIM Group – a consortium of Sankofa Economic Development Group headed by Marvin Lyman; the Impact Consulting & Development group headed by Ronald Lindsay, pastor of Concord Fortress of Hope Church; and Dr. Williams serving as a community consultant. 

KCMO 5th District-at-Large City Councilman Darrell Curls whose district includes the Robandee area who attended the meeting said he is aware of three other groups interested in redeveloping the property, primarily for business purposes.  

He explained the city is scheduled to go to court November 5 to attempt to get the authority to appoint a receiver to oversee the prompt removal of unsafe and unsanitary conditions on the property which has been severely damaged by fire, vandalism, illegal dumping and vehicle “side shows” on the parking lot of the fenced in property in light of the city’s assertion that the current owner has failed to correct these conditions for years and to oversee its redevelopment. 

While the site is almost completely fenced in except for a still operating automotive repair shop which is right on the northeast corner of Bannister & James A. Reed Roads, a site visit on August 26 revealed a spot where the fence had been disconnected, and persons could access the damaged and dangerous property.

As an example of how facilities for senior citizens in other parts of our metropolitan area aggressively market their services to south Kansas City area seniors, on August 25 this writer received a mailing inviting me to a free lunch with a chance to win a $100 gift card at John Knox Village in Lee’s Summit.

It would sure be nice to have more similar facilities in our area!