Kansas City department store expected to close in next phase of old mall’s transformation
The last remnant of a demolished mall in Kansas City’s Northland is expected to disappear as developers have new plans for a former anchor store.
Dan Horn, part of a team that has been redeveloping the former Metro North Mall site off Highways 169 and 152 north of the river, told the Kansas City’s neighborhood development committee on Tuesday that developers purchased the Macy’s building at 400 N.W. Barry Rd. in July, allowing for full control of the project site.
Macy’s plans to close at the end of March, Horn said, and developers are working on leases for two future tenants in the building.
Metro North Mall, which first opened in 1976, closed in 2014 after the mall declined and only a few retailers remained. It was demolished in 2017, leaving only the Macy’s and some free-standing businesses.
In 2015, the Kansas City Council is expected to approve a plan for more than $70 million in tax incentives for the mall redevelopment, redirecting increased tax revenue from the new development to cover the costs of construction.
Since then, the mall site has been reborn as the mixed-use Metro North Crossing, with new shops, housing and amenities like the T-Shotz golf entertainment venue — and more is on the way.
The future tenants of the Macy’s building have not been announced. Horn told the Star that updates are expected in the coming months.
“It’s an exciting step for us in our redevelopment of Metro North to bring some exciting new uses to the building,” Horn said.
The City Council voted Thursday to approve adding the Macy’s site to the special community improvement district overseeing the mall’s redevelopment. The developers expect to spend $3 million fixing up the Macy’s property to make way for new tenants, including repairing the roof and large parking lot, according to city documents.
A Macy’s spokesperson did not directly confirm whether the store will be closing, but said in an email on Wednesday that the company expects to close roughly 65 locations this year after the holidays.
Other remaining Macy’s locations in the Kansas City metro area are in Overland Park and Leawood. Redevelopment plans for a former Macy’s in Prairie Village moved forward last fall after years of talks.