Kelly Plaza development prepares to break ground

by Karen E. Culp

SBJ Staff

Ground will be broken soon for a new retail and office development in south Springfield.

Kelly Plaza is set to be constructed on 4 1/2 acres at the corner of Walnut Lawn and National, said Todd Chambers, of McLoud & Company, the commercial real estate company that is handling the leasing of the retail center.

Chambers represented Larry Kelly in the purchasing and rezoning of the property, which includes 12 acres of property zoned for office use, in addition to the 4 1/2 acres zoned for retail.

The entire site will be developed, creating the potential for four buildings, Chambers said. The first two buildings to go up will be Kelly Plaza, a 39,500-square-foot retail center. A 2,250-square-foot office building will be the next to go up, then other buildings as needed, Chambers said. The first two buildings are the priority projects right now, he added.

No lease agreements have been signed for Kelly Plaza, which requires a minimum space rental of 1,400 square feet. The structure will be all-brick with stucco accents and detailing, Chambers said.

"We are targeting tenants who would fit in well with the medical industry. We're hoping to have a good mix of retail uses and to have a couple of good restaurants in the center," Chambers said.

The Kelly Plaza building will be designed with drive-up windows on its end-caps, Chambers said. Both it and the office building should be ready for occupancy by fall.

The architect for the project is Bill Derington, and Kelly will serve as his own general contractor, Chambers said.

"This is going to be a great development because of its location. It will have really good access," Chambers said.