Incoming $2.3B, 470-acre mega development aims to be the Plaza of the Northland
What’s currently an unused 400-acre plot of land owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints could soon be transformed into a vibrant hub for retail, entertainment and housing in the heart of the Northland.
Plans for a $2.3 billion development project — dubbed Pioneer Crossing — near the intersection of Interstate 435 and Highway 152 are underway as a Utah-based development company owned by the church looks to build more than 1,000 residences and over 1 million square feet of retail space in Clay County northeast of Gladstone and west of Liberty.
Land Reserve Inc., the developer behind the project, along with city officials have been working for several years to develop the 472-acre parcel of land in an effort to create a “door to the city” with high-end shopping, restaurants and entertainment, according to Kansas City 1st District Councilman Kevin O’Neill.
O’Neill envisions a space similar to popular retail hubs across the metro like Lenexa City Center, Leawood’s Town Center, the County Club Plaza and the new Current Landing development on the Berkley Riverfront.
“We finally have an opportunity in the Northland to land some of the biggest projects and the biggest retailers,” O’Neill said.
The project will likely consist of a mix of residential units, retail and restaurant space, a hotel, conference facilities, office buildings, entertainment venues and sports facilities. O’Neill hopes the retail space will even attract a popular grocery store like Trader Joe’s, he said.
“I think retail establishments are looking at us differently. We’re getting interest from companies that we never used to. Nobody ever called us back, and now they’re starting to call us back. So, it’s exciting,” he said.
While specific plans for Pioneer Crossing are still unofficial, the developers expect to see more than 808,300 square feet of office space and over 1.1 million square feet of retail space built in the area, along with around 1,500 residential units, including single-family homes, townhomes and apartments, 150 hotel rooms and 4,000 parking spaces, according to planning documents.
Around 28,000 workers are expected to be hired throughout the construction process. The retail space is estimated to create more than 9,000 permanent jobs once open.
O’Neill said Land Reserve will begin efforts to connect with future retailers as soon as possible.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has owned the land bordered by I-435, Highway 152 and NE Shoal Avenue since the 1980s, but has been unable to develop the area due to its rough terrain and lack of existing infrastructure.
Because of this, infrastructure improvements to the land will need to be completed before construction can begin, including the build-out of roads, sidewalks, water mains and sewers. Land Reserve is currently seeking public financing options to help pay for these upgrades.
Despite its subpar terrain, an economic development study of the area found the site was “attractive” due to its infill status and close proximity to two major roadways, including Highway 152, which has approximately 46,000 cars per day, and I-435, with around 44,000 cars each day.
“We believe that this is a fantastic site for growth. The Northland, we think, is underserved in a number of different areas, in particular for certain retail uses,” said Tyler Buswell, president of Land Reserve. “We truly believe in Kansas City. We believe it’s a great city. It’s been a great place for us to be, historically, and we’re excited for the future.”
