West-side growth spurs commercial developments

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Developers are expanding the commercial frontier out west of Springfield, that is where residential growth, improved highways and increasing traffic counts are creating a market.|ret||ret||tab|

Two commercial developments are planned within a one-mile stretch of each other on West Bypass, between Mt. Vernon Street and Chestnut Expressway. |ret||ret||tab|

The first with plans to break ground is Westgate Plaza, at the southwest corner of Mt. Vernon Street and West Bypass. The development team of Charlie Yocum, William B. White Jr. and Tim Harrington, known as TCB Resources LLC, plans to begin work next month and invest $4.5 million in two phases over the next two years. |ret||ret||tab|

Paul Larino of Larino Properties owns the 37-acre parcel on the southeast corner of Chestnut Expressway and West Bypass. But plans for more than 200,000 square feet of retail space at that location have stalled since developer David Christie of DJ Christie Inc. in Kansas City is no longer involved. |ret||ret||tab|

Larino is now considering developing the property himself. Project Realtor Todd Chambers said the plan is for general retail uses with one large space for an anchor retailer.|ret||ret||tab|

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Commercial amenities|ret||ret||tab|

Developers say the idea is to cater to a growing residential population that lacks nearby amenities like banks, restaurants, grocers and other retail.|ret||ret||tab|

"I think there is a void in that part of the market for financial services, restaurants and different types of retail," Chambers said.|ret||ret||tab|

According to the city's department of Planning and Development, there are more than 40,000 people living in a three-mile radius of West Bypass and Chestnut Expressway.|ret||ret||tab|

"That's the size of a large town sitting there with a lack of services," Larino said. "It's just a natural place for development; it's surprising it hasn't happened yet. Everybody's been so focused on the south side it seems (the west) side hasn't got their fair shake. It's coming you can't ignore that many people for that long."|ret||ret||tab|

Newer subdivisions such as Bradford Estates, Countryland, Deer Lake Estates, Jacob's Landing and Whispering Meadows are sprouting up around established residences in Kay Pointe and Orchard Crest.|ret||ret||tab|

"The housing is booming out there," Larino said.|ret||ret||tab|

Creating a market|ret||ret||tab|

Ralph Rognstad, assistant director of Planning and Development for the city of Springfield, said that is the natural progression for development. |ret||ret||tab|

"Typically, the residential gets there first and they create a market," he said. "And then the commercial comes along behind."|ret||ret||tab|

Residential developers there, who created the market, agree homeowners should benefit from commercial plans both from accessible amenities and increased home values.|ret||ret||tab|

"It should be an asset to those people that live there," said Keith Keltner, whose Kay Pointe began new home development in the area 10 years ago. "I think it will help property values."|ret||ret||tab|

Keltner said most of the 275 homes in Kay Pointe are valued between $125,000 and $135,000.|ret||ret||tab|

Morelock Ross Properties has been building additional phases of Orchard Crest for almost two years. |ret||ret||tab|

Kenny Ross said the company is halfway complete with the five-phase, 106-home project.|ret||ret||tab|

He is glad to see the commercial development following the residential, but he doesn't think it will greatly increase interest in his homes. Commercial development "doesn't affect our thought process of what pace we are building," he said. "We don't think it will have much effect of bringing buyers to our location, but it can't hurt."|ret||ret||tab|

It also will not raise the sale prices of those homes, he said, which average in the low to mid $90,000s.|ret||ret||tab|

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Westgate Plaza|ret||ret||tab|

According to Yocum, Westgate Plaza will have about 70,000 square feet of retail and professional office space, anchored by a grocery store. |ret||ret||tab|

He said negotiations are ongoing for the grocer, as well as for three out-lot spaces.|ret||ret||tab|

"We are in negotiations right now for a major restaurant chain and with several banks," he said.|ret||ret||tab|

Yocum's partner, White, initially purchased the 10.5-acre plat in 1986. Yocum said they've been "waiting for the west side to catch up" before going through with the plans. "We believe (the time) is right now," he said.|ret||ret||tab|

Helping to convince them, he said, is the traffic count at the intersection that sees more than 20,000 cars per day, according to MoDOT traffic information. |ret||ret||tab|

Much of that traffic is due to MoDOT's widening to five lanes of West Bypass to Chestnut Expressway. MoDOT is continuing the widened infrastructure north to Kearney.|ret||ret||tab|

In the meantime, TCB Resources is wrapping up the construction of the City Centre Marketplace retail development in Nixa on Highway 14, across from City Hall. The $1.35 million center is set for completion Nov. 1. |ret||ret||tab|

Leasing agent Loren Winter, with McLoud & Company, said there are two signings: Domino's Pizza and Shakes Frozen Custard.|ret||ret||tab|

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