New Lucky Dynasty, McDonald’s in Plaza East area

Barbecue baron and developer Ollie Gates is continuing to spruce up an area east of the Country Club Plaza.

In 2013, the City Council approved the Plaza East Community Improvement District on Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard at the Paseo, allowing for the collection of a 1-cent sales tax in the area for “cleanliness and security.”

Gates also has completed construction on a 24,092-square-foot commercial center at the southeast corner of Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd. and Troost. Tenants will include a Subway and supper club. The Promise Wedding & Event Space also is relocating to the center from the Crossroads in May.

Now after four years at 1214 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd., Lucky Dynasty will relocate to a new 2,200-square-foot red brick building with drive-thru just to the west of its current location. A summer opening is scheduled.

The current Lucky Dynasty building will then be demolished to make way for a new franchisee-owned McDonald’s, which plans to take several lots between Forest and Tracy for a 2016 opening.

That McDonald’s could have the chain’s new “Create Your Own Taste” touchscreen kiosks. Customers just press a button to select the type of bun they want and how many patties, as well as a choice of 30 toppings such as colby jack cheese, egg, bacon, beetroot, grilled pineapple and grilled mushrooms, caramelized onions, chipotle mayo and barbecue sauce.

“We need to make sure that east of Troost has the same economic opportunity as west,” Gates said. “That’s why I built the shopping center, so people can see that the Plaza doesn’t stop at Main. Street. It is important not only to me but to Kansas City.”

This story was originally published April 14, 2015 at 9:20 AM with the headline "New Lucky Dynasty, McDonald’s in Plaza East area."