Developments south add office, retail space

Businesses of all types and sizes are vying for choice locations in south Springfield, according to local developers and real estate agents.

Jackie Eoff, vice president of Eoff & Associates, said that the cost of the dwindling supply of land available near Cox South is expected to rise because of heavy demand in that area.

Eoff and her husband DuWayne are in the process of constructing a combination office and retail center, Aundria Plaza, on National south of Republic Road.

The 32,400-square-foot plaza contains 21 bays for restaurant, office and retail businesses. Among the confirmed tenants is a Japanese steakhouse.

Eoff and Associates is also building a two-story structure on Primrose west of National, near Cox South. The upper floor will be occupied by the U.S. Court of Appeals. The lower level is still available, Eoff said.

Farther south is Plainview Corners, at Plainview Road and Campbell. There, construction is under way on a 21,000-square-foot structure intended for retail occupancy, according to Jerri Mitchell, real estate agent for Morelock-Ross Properties. Completion is scheduled for February 2001.

On National, north of Cox, phase II of Kelly Plaza is under construction, and two-thirds of the space is already spoken for, according to Debra Carnbrow, leasing agent.

The range of businesses at Kelly Plaza includes restaurants, hair salons, a dry cleaner and a number of office complexes. Several companies, now located in other parts of town, are expanding to the area to take advantage of the exposure on the heavily traveled street, Carnbrow said.

The traffic count at National and Walnut Lawn has been documented by the city at 39,000 cars between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Records show the traffic doubles evenings and weekends, Carnbrow said.

Just north of Kelly Plaza construction has also begun on a 41,000-square-foot, single tenant office complex, according to David Murray, co-owner/broker with R.B. Murray Company.

Murray acted as agent in the sale of a 40-acre tract to Grizzly Industries. The 300,000-square-foot building to be constructed on the property west of Kansas Expressway, south of Battlefield will provide the company with more warehouse and distribution space.

"This facility represents increased tax revenues and jobs for the community," Murray said.

Geoffrey Butler, of Butler Rosenbury and Partners Inc., designed the structure, scheduled for completion by Nov. 15.

Since a short segment of Kingsley Street was extended between Fremont and National, it has almost been filled to capacity. Recently completed by Wilhoit Properties, Kingsley Park, next to Kingsley Office Park has leased space to two local companies, said Ken Schwab, commercial real estate agent with Wilhoit.

MWM Dexter has moved from its 3046 S. Delaware location to occupy 3,268 square feet at Kingsley Park, Schwab said. The Medical Arts Laboratory, moving from its South National location, has leased 2,200 square feet, and 2,800 square feet of space is still available, he added.

Schwab said the land across the street from the new complex, one of the few tracts left in the area, has been sold and will be developed in the near future.

South and east of Kingsley, construction is under way on the 39,000-square-foot French Quarter Plaza on Republic Road. The two-story structure will house both offices and retail businesses, Schwab said.

The owners of the plaza, Bill and Nancy Jester, have also broken ground on the 24,000-square-foot Battlefield Towers complex, scheduled for completion in early 2001, he added.

On South National, St. John's Health Systems purchased the former Alliance Blue Cross Blue Shield building, Schwab said. Alliance moved to the Sunshine Technology Center, formerly known as the MCI building, on East Sunshine. Alliance occupies 45,000 square feet of the 75,000-square-foot structure, with Grand Vista Resorts taking up another 10,000 square feet.

Galen Pellham, architect turned commercial real estate agent, said renovation is under way on an 8,000-square-foot structure at 1249 E. Battlefield, adjacent to Ozark Fitness Center. The building will house a miniature train display and sales center, he said.

The east end of Independence has reached full capacity with the construction of two complexes, in front of and across the street from the Wal-Mart Supercenter at James River Towne Center. According to Judd Heflin, director of development for Blue Star Investments, the owner of Towne Center, the 20,000-square-foot building in front of Wal-Mart will house the national chains Famous Footwear and Mattress Warehouse, both scheduled to open in October.

The tract across Independence will be occupied by Dollar Tree, which is moving from the strip center next to the supercenter to gain space, and Pet Warehouse will take up the remainder of the 18,000-square-foot retail structure. Completion on the project is expected in early 2001.

Meanwhile, Carleton and Company LLC is constructing a three-story, 30,000-square-foot office complex on Bradford in the French country style. Some units have already been sold or leased, according to owner Kim Carleton. The exterior is scheduled for completion near the end of September. Interior suites will be custom built to suit tenants.

According to Schwab, both local companies and national chains are clamoring for south-side space, and restaurants continue to stream into the area. Additions include Culver's on Primrose, Belgian Waffle House on South Campbell and The Waffle House on Kansas Expressway.

The city continues to attract newcomers, and it is a particularly good for small businesses, Schwab said.

Despite the demand and rapid growth, commercial rental rates have remained relatively stable in the past two or three years, Schwab said.

The norm seems to be around $12.50 per square foot. At Plainview Corners, space with Plainview frontage will lease for $12 per square foot and space with Campbell frontage will lease for $12.50 per square foot, Mitchell said.

Space at Kingsley Park and Aundria Plaza leases for $12.50 per square foot triple net, and Carnbrow said space at Kelly Plaza leases between $10 and $14 per square foot triple net, depending on the length of the contract.