The Stories that Shaped 2009 No. 4: Developers plan ahead as other projects move forward

The recession undoubtedly put a damper on 2009, but it hasn't stopped Ozarks visionaries from making plans for the future.

There's new construction in the works - including a grocery distribution center, five-story hotel and a 600-acre mixed-use development - while work continues on other projects such as Wonders of Wildlife renovations and Missouri State University's IDEA Commons.

New developments

A 600-acre development, now dubbed Crossroads at 60/65, was announced in February.

The $400 million, environmentally friendly project at the juncture of highways 60 and 65 will include places to shop, work and live. Landowners - including Rogersville businessman Larry Childress, Killian Group of Cos. owner Bill Killian and Robert Hawkins, under the banner 60/65 Partnership LLC - expect to donate up to 200 acres to the city of Springfield for public use, which could include park space community gardens or a library branch.

The development has yet to announce any national retailers that have signed on for the project, but four local companies have agreed to provide the development's housing and ministorage components. Miller-O'Reilly Co., will build 250 multifamily units; Doran Communities plans to construct as many as 300 single-family homes; and Foster Hospitality Group will build as many as 200 senior housing units. ICP Inc. is the fourth company to sign a letter of intent with Crossroads at 60/65, which is expected to take as long as a decade to complete. First up is tackling an estimated $60 million in infrastructure work.

In February, the city of Republic and Temple, Texas-based supply chain services company McLane Co. Inc. announced plans for a new facility that would bring hundreds of jobs to the area.

McLane's 450,000-square-foot grocery distribution center, located off Farm Road 160 in Republic, is still more than a year away from being operational. Once it is up and running, it's expected to employ between 300 and 400 workers.

This fall, Branson-based Tom Boyce Excavating, Inc. began excavation work on the site. The building construction, which is expected to cost $30 million, should be complete by the first quarter of 2011.



Bass Pro lodging and WOW

Changes are coming to approximately seven acres on South Campbell Avenue, across from Bass Pro Shops' flagship Springfield store.

American Sportsman Holdings Co., the parent company of Johnny Morris-owned Bass Pro Shops, asked Springfield City Council to approve a rezoning request for the seven acres at the 1900 block of South Campbell, changing it to highway commercial use from single-family residential and light industrial. Council approved the request in October.

Plans for the property include a five-story, 147-room hotel facing Campbell. There also is the possibility of commercial space at the intersection of Campbell and Cherokee.

Across the street from the planned hotel, the Wonders of Wildlife museum is planning on re-opening in 2010.

In December 2007, WOW closed its doors to begin a renovation that will include new exhibits such as a shark touch tank, living coral tank, butterfly aviary and nocturnal swamp.

The $25 million renovation project is expected to be complete next December.

After some members of Springfield City Council voiced concerns about fiscal responsibility museum, Councilman John Rush was appointed as a liaison between the city and the museum during the renovations. Rush reported to council in December that WOW's use of tax funds is consistent with the city's expectations.

General contractor Whiting-Turner is now in the process of soliciting bids for various components of construction.

Moving forward: IDEA Commons

In September, Missouri State University's IDEA Commons - which brings together innovation, design, entrepreneurship and the arts - got a $2.75 million shot in the arm from the federal government. The stimulus money from the Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration will help keep construction moving at the site of the former Willow Brook Foods property adjacent to the Jordan Valley Innovation Center.

The purchase of the 121,224-square-foot Jefferson Avenue building was completed in May, and the site will become the Entrepreneurship and Business Development Center. It also will be part of MSU's urban research park, housing the Small Business and Technology Development Center, the construction and technology management program, as well as small-business incubator space. Startup businesses will be able to lease space and take advantage of the support from the departments located within the building, said Allen Kunkel, associate vice president for economic development at MSU.

"JVIC is not set up to be a true incubator for a startup business," Kunkel said. "We have space here, but we're here to assist our corporate partners right now. ... The incubator space in this facility will allow somebody to come in, use our services and also we can lease space to them as a startup business."

Work at the former Willow Brook plant will be completed in two phases, and architectural firm GHN Architects Engineers has been hired to manage Phase I, which consists of the roof work. Kunkel said he expects Phase II, which consists of the interior work, to begin during the summer of 2010.