11 hours ago
Merriam City Council approves next step for $102 million development project
MERRIAM, Kan. — The Merriam City Council on Monday night discussed moving forward with a $102 million development project.
The mixed-resident and retail development would be built at the site of the former Johnson County Library branch, just north of Shawnee Mission Parkway.
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The city council approved all 13 items presented during the special meeting, including planning and zoning the issuance of general obligation bonds and a community improvement district to help fund the , which includes a new grocery store and apartment complex.
'I've seen it, you know, , which I think is a great improvement, not that Kmart didn't have memories, but something newer is always nicer. So it's good to see for sure,' said Merriam resident Tony Castro.
The city is working with Drake Development on the project, the same company they partnered with to redevelop the old Kmart site as Grand Station.
'I really like what they've done at the Grand Station. I think that it's like definitely bringing people, a lot of people here, which I've always loved this area. They're bringing new things like the Shake Shack and 30 Hop, which I've never had before. So I really like what they're doing,' said Merriam resident Paula Cifuentes.
The plan is to build a grocery store, 200-plus apartment units, restaurants and more across the street from Grand Station, from Shawnee Mission Parkway to 62nd Terrace.
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'I think they did a nice job now where it's at. Not only the apartment units that they have there, but the nice little restaurants and, you know, choices that you have eatery wise. So if they do something similar to where the old library is going to be at, I think it'd be nice,' Castro said.
Some residents believe the marketplace would fill a need in Merriam.
'That would be a really good idea because Mission has a grocery store and like, it's kind of a little far of a drive to get to another grocery store like in Shawnee and Quivira. So I think that would be really beneficial to the people that live here,' Cifuentes added.
This development would be jointly owned between the city and Drake Development.
The city is in line to issue at least $32 million in bonds to cover its side of the costs.
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During Monday's special meeting, council members discussed ways the city would pay itself back, including a one percent community improvement district sales tax.
With the city council's approval Monday night, the Grand Marketplace Development is now one step closer to construction.
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