JoCo developer submits new plans for restaurants, apartments, retail space in Merriam

A preliminary rezoning and development plan to replace the vacant Kmart in Merriam received initial approval from the city’s planning commission on Wednesday.

After a failed attempt in February, Overland Park-based Drake Development submitted plans for the Grand Station redevelopment to be reviewed by the Merriam Planning Commission at their meeting this week.

Their original plans would have put a grocery store in place of the Kmart that has been closed since 2013.

The development site is located on the south side of Shawnee Mission Parkway between Eby Avenue and Antioch Road. A Freddy’s Frozen Custard, Krispy Kreme, and La Petite Academy are already developed there and would not be changed, according to city documents.

The proposed development would include a 3,300-square-foot retail building, three 5,600-square-foot restaurants, a 2,100-square-foot restaurant and two apartment buildings with 158 and 204 units.

The apartment buildings would each have a parking structure beneath them and a common space connecting the two structures.

The developer also plans to put in a bus stop on northbound Eby Avenue and Shawnee Mission Parkway.

According to city documents, the developer wants to use tax increment financing, industrial revenue bonds and property tax abatement for a public and private partnership to complete the project.

The plans now go to the Merriam City Council.