Kansas Plaza construction under way

by Laura Scott

SBJ Contributing Writer

sbj@sbj.net

Industrial and retail businesses looking for space in Springfield will have another option, with the new Kansas Plaza development, which is to be available by spring 2005.

Located on the corner of Kansas Expressway and Sunset, Kansas Plaza will be situated in one of the fastest-growing areas of Springfield.

Two major clients Fast n Friendly convenience stores owned by Wehr-Fourt and Ye Olde Buggy Bath car wash owned by Naeglar Oil have reserved space in Kansas Plaza. It will be designed in a way that will be eye-appealing, said Emily Wehr, who, with husband Scott, is overseeing the project under the umbrella of Wehr, Wehr, Johnson & Bridgeforth Inc. Real Estate Investments and the newly formed Wehr Construction.

"We've designed it with plenty of greenspace, attractive landscaping and lighting," she said. The storefronts facing Kansas Expressway will house retail businesses and the row of structures behind the storefronts will consist of warehouse space and industrial businesses.

"We will build to suit," Scott Wehr said. The project is just under way and leasing clients will be able to have their space built according to their needs. Architects for the 18-acre development are Marshall, Waters and Woody. The project, financed by Bank of America, is expected to cost between $6 million and $7 million and is being built by Wehr Construction, a new company the Wehr family started about six months ago. "We started the company because we decided to build ourselves and save money," he said.

Bill Gates is the supervisor for Wehr Construction and oversees two supervisors and six employees, who hire the subcontractors for the work. "We're doing three or four big projects with the new company," Wehr added.

Bob Murray of R.B. Murray Company, listing agent for Kansas Plaza, said lease rates are not yet set.

"We have no rates yet because we don't have the cost of the buildings. Once we have that and have a handle on what structures will be built, then the rates will be available and we'll release them," Murray said.

The buildings will vary in size from 2,000 square feet up, Murray said.

"For retail, the space could be 4,000, 8,000 or 6,000 square feet and for industrial, 30,000 to 35,000 square feet. It depends on the tenant. We will divide the space into what they need," he said.

Murray said the location would be perfect for retail businesses such as medical, window or lighting type businesses.

"All About Floors is considering us, as well as a window tinting business," added Scott Wehr. "It would be an ideal location for a home improvement store, and for retail, anything would go."

Murray points to the location of Grizzly Industrial Inc. store on the corner of Battlefield and Kansas as an example. "Southwest Missouri is a fast growing area and this particular area of town is zoned for industrial and commercial use," he said. "It's ideal for a lumber company, a copier products business or a medical clinic."

In addition to Kansas Plaza, Wehr, Wehr, Johnson & Bridgeforth Inc. has completed several other shopping centers, including Chestnut Center at Campbell and Chestnut Expressway. The two-acre development opened in mid-July and houses Scrambler's, Fast n Friendly and Ye Olde Buggy Bath.

Also near completion is phase II of 66 Place, a 60,000 square foot development on Chestnut Expressway near Pythian. It's home to Dish Network, a City Utilities office and SMS Printing.

Other projects under Wehr include building a Scrambler's restaurant at Airport Plaza on the northeast corner of West Bypass and Kearney. This project was completed for Scramber's as a stand-alone, build-to-suit development. "We acquire the land for the tenant and build to suit in addition to developing the shopping centers," Emily Wehr said. Another of the company's build-to-suit projects was the 12,000 square foot A. G. Edwards building on Primrose behind the MCI building.

"In September, we'll break ground on Spring Meadows, our first single-family residential community," said Emily Wehr. "It will include 10 to 12 townhomes and 100 lots. It will be something new and exciting for us to build." This development will be located behind Lowe's at Kansas and Interstate 44.

The real estate investment company is planning a move of its own in the near future, Scott Wehr said. "We're not sure yet where we are moving. We're looking at a couple of different locations now." For the moment, the company is located at the corner of Kansas and Sunshine at 1915 West Sunshine, Ste. A.