Exciting New Retail Development on the Horizon for Shawnee
Shawnee, a vibrant community in Johnson County, is about to get a fresh dose of retail space that could add some serious flavor to the local shopping experience! Plans are underway for a new development project that will introduce nearly 30,000 square feet of retail to an area that has been waiting for some new additions.
What’s Happening?
The development team, Monticello Village LLC, steered by Ralph Varnum, has set its sights on transforming about 6 acres of vacant land located just west of the existing Monticello Village shopping center. After receiving the nod from city planners earlier this week, the project is now gearing up for a review by the Shawnee City Council, which will take a look at the preliminary site plan on November 12.
Positioned just north of Shawnee Mission Parkway and east of Silverheel Street, this promising site is surrounded by a mix of established neighborhoods and undeveloped land. To the north lie the friendly single-family homes of the Woodland Park neighborhood, while the southeast corner of the development features the Johnson County Library Monticello branch—a great spot for community gatherings and events.
What’s in Store for Shoppers?
The plans include a shiny new 15,500-square-foot single-story Westlake Ace Hardware store, strategically placed at the northwest corner of the site. This shop will not only bring essential tools and outdoor gear to the area but will also feature an outdoor patio display to enhance the shopping experience.
Moving east, shoppers can look forward to a 10,700-square-foot multitenant office-retail building. This space is designed to cater to a variety of businesses, providing a vibrant mix of options for local consumers. Although the specific tenants have yet to be announced, the anticipation is already building!
Moreover, a 3,400-square-foot office-retail building equipped with a convenient drive-thru is proposed for the southeast corner, right next to Silverheel Street. This could be the perfect spot for a quick coffee run or a fast-service restaurant, although details about potential occupants remain under wraps.
When Can Residents Expect to See Progress?
If the City Council gives the final green light to the project, construction is expected to begin in the spring with the Westlake Ace Hardware store aiming to be finished by fall 2025. Following that, the construction of the retail-office buildings is slated to kick off in the summer of 2025, wrapping up by the end of that same year. That means Shawnee residents can look forward to seeing some major changes in the coming months!
The development team, which also includes talented firms such as Kaster Architects Inc., Davidson Architecture + Engineering, Schlagel & Associates, and Priority Engineers Inc., is committed to ensuring that the project enhances the local landscape while providing valuable services to the community.
A Bright Future Ahead
As Shawnee continues to grow and evolve, this new retail development promises to not only fill gaps in the shopping scene but also to invigorate the local economy. With so much potential on the horizon, we can’t help but feel excited about what’s to come. Stay tuned as we wait for updates from the City Council and hope for a quick approval process!
In conclusion, let’s keep our fingers crossed and our eyes peeled for more news on this inspiring project. Shawnee is on the path to becoming an even more delightful place to live, shop, and connect with our neighbors.
