08-04-2025
Ozark Marketplace plan approved, clears way for Dutch Bros. Coffee and more
OZARK, Mo — On Monday night, the Ozark Board of Aldermen approved three separate bills regarding the Ozark Marketplace development near Highway 65.
Ozarks First reported last month that a 40-acre plot of land northeast of US-65 and South Street was the target for a development that would be home to a new shopping center. Businesses including Dutch Bros. Coffee, Aldi, Casey's, Plaza Tire Service, and McDonald's were looking to open stores in the space.
Dutch Bros. Coffee coming to Springfield and Ozark
Monday, the Board of Aldermen enacted three ordinances to approve the following:
A development agreement between the City Of Ozark and Missouri Commercial Development LLC
A petition to establish the Ozark Marketplace Community Improvement District
Chapter 353 Development Plan, declaring the area described in the Redevelopment Plan to be a blighted area
While these were approved, there was some concern expressed at the meeting by the Ozark Special Road District. Commissioner Chris Somers spoke on behalf of the district to the board, speaking against the tax abatement and the blight study to the Ozarks Marketplace development.
'The district's three commissioners did forward each of you a three-page report to our objection in how the City has made sure it is taken care of with by this project with its' sales tax,' Somers told the board. 'We, the district Commissioners believe the staff and you, the Board of Aldermen, Mr. Mayor, have not studied this area enough to fully understand the needs of the public infrastructure, and the public are not being served by this development.'
A 1% sales tax will be established on all retail sales with the Community Improvement District.
President of the Ozark Chamber of Commerce, Chris Russell, tells Ozarks First this morning that the taxes that come along with this will be part of a bigger picture.
'That land right now is not generating anything,' says Russell, who stresses that the property has been on the market for a long time. 'It's been a prime location in Ozark for many years.'
As far as when the developer may break ground, Russell says there is no exact date but it shouldn't take long. 'Last we heard from the developer was that they had everything 100% ready to go, and that once this was approved we should see dirt turning very, very soon.'
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