Bedroom communities going industrial

Brisk business in Christian County

Nixa’s population is more than 17,000 – four times what it was in 1990 – and Tom Rook and Danny Knight say the need for business space accompanies the residential growth.

The two subcontractors, under the banner of Rook-Knight Properties LLC, have 15 acres of property under development just north of Nixa – and business is brisk.

They’ve created 10 lots for sale south of Highway CC just east of Main Street in a development dubbed CC Business Park. Rook said five of the lots are sold, including one for his own Watersmith Irrigation Co., and three more will close by mid-November. Lots sell for $2.25–$4.25 per square foot.

The business park venture, Rook said, sprung out of a desire to expand his 20-year-old irrigation business.

“We were looking to build but couldn’t land on anything,” Rook said. “We decided to put in a (commercial) subdivision.”

More than a year ago, Christian County Planning and Zoning approved development plans for the land, zoned for office, high-volume retail and light manufacturing uses, but sales of the parcels only began recently.

Britt Gardner bought two lots on which to construct three buildings comprising 30,000 square feet. The plan, through Gardner’s Trinity Land Development LLC, is to sell the buildings, split into up to 20 office condominiums, to small and home-based businesses with office and warehouse capabilities. However, Gardner said he is still working with the county to develop a program that allows for condominium business development.

“We’re extremely excited about where we are and the growth of that area,” Gardner said, noting that several large residential subdivisions have recently been developed nearby. “A lot of small business owners work out of their home or want to be close to home, and I felt like that was a great location.”

Gardner said the first of the three buildings should be done by December.

“If (a business owner) can buy something and get into it for just a little more than what (he) would lease the property for, that’s a win-win,” Gardner said. “(He’s) buying an appreciating asset rather than throwing away rent money.”

Rook said he expects the eight claimed lots should be built out by the end of 2008.

The Republic triangle

Republic also has several pieces of property that could end up with industrial or heavy commercial uses.

The potential is led by a 99-acre plot south of Farm Road 144 and east of James River Freeway, owned by Drury Properties Inc.

Drury Properties co-owner Mitch Drury said the property is well-suited for a transportation-related business.

“If you can picture (Interstate) 44 on the north, James River Freeway on the west and (Highway) MM on the east, there’s a triangle there that is just perfect for logistics businesses and distribution centers,” Drury said. “You can get to anywhere around Springfield from that spot in 20 minutes, and you have direct access to I-44 for people running from Chicago to Dallas.”

He said that while there are no definitive plans yet for the property, the company would like to put in the road infrastructure and then sell parcels or build to suit.

Like Nixa, Republic’s growth has created more need – the city’s population increased 60 percent to about 10,000 between 1990 and 2005. Since consolidating with the village of Brookline in 2005, the city has spent more than $9 million on water and sewer infrastructure and a new fire station for the area that includes Drury’s triangular property, according to Assistant City Administrator Chris Coulter.

“We know there is potential there, and we know people are looking out at that area,” Coulter said.

While the sewer and water line work will be complete by year’s end, Coulter said there is no definitive timeline for development.

“The city is looking to put the infrastructure in and let it develop,” Coulter said, adding that a railroad spur has been discussed. “We won’t be out there pushing (developers) ahead of their own schedules – it’s their money, not ours.”