After years of talks, revamp of former Johnson County Macy’s finally moving forward
The redevelopment of the old Prairie Village Macy’s at 71st Street and Mission Road has been met with repeated delays since the project kicked off four years ago.
But now, plans appear to be finalized at last.
Last week, the city’s planning commission gave the go-ahead for developers with First Washington to begin turning the old department store at The Shops of Prairie Village into a Hen House grocery store, with adjoining retail and restaurant tenants.
The approved plans are the last of several revised versions of the project. Last month, commissioners expressed concerns about the traffic flow and pedestrian safety of the plans.
In response, First Washington president Greg Zike came back with slight changes to the landscaping and parking lot, adding a pedestrian sidewalk for better accessibility.
It’s unclear when the project will officially break ground. Developers did not respond to The Star’s requests for comments.
Macy’s closed the spot at 4000 W. 71st St. in 2020. A few months later, First Washington announced that it would be bringing a “once-in-a-lifetime” transformation to the 1250,000-square-foot spot.
Development plans submitted to the city planning commission in 2021 included a supermarket on the middle floor, offices on top and a gym on the lowest floor.
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At one point, Genesis Health Clubs had said it would open at the location.
But in 2023, the developer filed new plans, which called for multiple restaurant and retail tenants on the lower level in lieu of a gym.
After teasing a potential groundbreaking in late 2023, the project was delayed yet again. Several more months of planning commission meetings ensued.
While First Washington’s final plans have been approved, it’s unclear what other tenants may occupy the space. The developers did not give any hints as to what else is coming.
Nearby, another Hen House sits at 6950 Mission Road. Traffic plans included in a 2021 proposal called the Macy’s project an “assumed relocation” of that store.
Macy’s opened its Prairie Village spot in 2006. Today, its Johnson County locations are in Leawood’s Town Center Plaza at 5100 W. 119th St. and Overland Park’s Oak Park Mall at 11201 W. 95th St.
Before that, the building housed a locally owned department store called the Jones Store. It had operated there since 1958.
The Shops of Prairie Village are also home to Cafe Provence, Dolce Bakery, Caffetteria Modern Eatery, and several other restaurants and shops.
This story was originally published October 11, 2024 at 7:00 AM.