Center city developments take shape

With the change of the calendar comes a few notable changes to center city, most of which are focused on serving those living near the Missouri State University community.

Most notably, property management firm Bryan Properties has broken ground on the $30 million Bear Village, a planned 800-unit apartment community between Madison and Grand streets on the west side of South Kimbrough Avenue. And four blocks north of Bear Village, contractor Morelock-Ross Properties Inc. has begun clearing land for an 8,400-square-foot shopping center anchored by Qdoba Mexican Grill.

Bear Village
Work is under way for Bear Village, Phase I, a $4.3 million, 96-unit apartment complex scheduled for completion before the fall semester.

Magers said the 24 apartment suites would each contain four bedrooms and bathrooms, and leases would be signed per bedroom at roughly $600 per month, with utilities paid.

Other amenities of the Bates & Associates-designed complex include a walk-in pool, a library and a weight room. He said Morelock-Ross is the builder, and Empire Bank is the lender on the project.

Another 300 units in Phase II should take about a year to build after the completion of Phase I, and the final 400 units should be finished by fall 2015.

“I’ve been collecting houses in that neighborhood since 1985, and it’s been a real dream of mine to build something nice on that location,” Magers said.

Qdoba and company
Burrito Concepts LLC, a division of Morelock-Ross, is building a home for its 13th Qdoba restaurant at a site targeting Missouri State students and downtown residents and workers.

The Campus Plaza Center, designed with rooftop seating by Baron Design & Associates, is expected to be complete in early October at the southwest corner of East Walnut Street and South Kimbrough Avenue, said Burrito Concepts co-owner Randy Allen.

“Downtown has a lot of restaurants that seem to come and go from time to time, and that’s a little frightening. I think part of the problem is accessibility and parking. And if we look at Missouri State University, there’s not much opportunity there for a restaurant because there’s not much real estate available. So, this is a nice compromise between the two,” Allen said, noting the property, Burrito Concepts’ fourth Qdoba site in Springfield, would have at least 50 parking spaces available.

Allen said more than one business has signed a letter of intent to lease within the center, but he declined to name interested parties. He said Qdoba would occupy 2,400 square feet, and 3,200 square feet on the north side is expected to be leased. Allen said 2,800 square feet would be built to suit.

Burrito Concepts in October opened its 12th fast-casual Mexican restaurant in Joplin, and Allen said the company plans to scout the Branson market in early 2012.

Center city residents also will soon have easy access to another fast-food option at National Avenue and Walnut Street. In late December, Florissant general contractorPlue Construction Inc. was wrapping up construction of a 3,200-square-foot McDonald’s restaurant at 234 S. National Ave. in anticipation of a January opening.

Owner and developer Phil Stocker also is the franchisee of the McDonald’s at the corner of South Glenstone Avenue and East Cherry Street.

Stocker said McDonald’s is funding the restaurant’s construction at an undisclosed amount.

Center city movement
While new developments rise up, Andy’s Frozen Custard is planning to move its 440 S. Campbell Ave. corporate office to 338 Boonville Ave., two blocks north of Park Central Square.

Murney Associates listing agent Galen Pellham said Andy’s lease on Campbell expired Dec. 31, and the 7,640-square-foot building is listed for sale at $879,000. Pellham said the California-based property owner also would be willing to lease or sell the 3,800-square-foot main floor occupied by Andy’s.

Eric Reed, Andy’s director of operations, said the company expects to move into the Boonville site by March. He said the building – which is owned by Macquarrie Clan LLC, according to Greene County assessor records – is roughly the same size of the Campbell Street site, but is laid out differently and allows room for internal growth.

The Hamels Foundation is on the move, too. The charity group founded by Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels and his wife, Heidi, a Buffalo native, had operated from 3524 E. Nora St. before it signed a five-year lease in October through Sperry Van Ness/Rankin Co. LLC to occupy 2,300 square feet on the McDaniel Street side of College Station. Kathleen Dugas, chief operating officer for the foundation, said the organization should settle in around Jan. 5.[[In-content Ad]]