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A much divided Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of zoning and comprehensive plan changes for two commercial projects on Adams Dairy Parkway Monday evening.
Several planning commissioners expressed concerns that these projects do not reflect the original flex/tech office plans for the parkway in Blue Springs. Adams Dairy Parkway and the Mall at Fall Creek are just two examples of projects that stagnated for more than a decade because our leaders refused to be flexible when reasonable alternatives were presented. In the more recent past, City Council and Planning Commission members have recognized that our city must be open to new ideas for development and must let go of long-held concepts that were not being realized.
For many years, the Mall at Fall Creek sat mostly empty, with only a few tenants open for business. I’m happy to report it will soon be fully leased. When our leaders are willing to adapt to changing needs and trends in the marketplace, the business community responds. By agreeing to change the requirements for the project, doors of opportunity were opened. Similarly, when the council agreed to modifications to the plan for Adams Dairy Parkway, new projects immediately began to come forward.
Because of the retail development, the likelihood of future development including the office and flex/tech of the original plan is greatly enhanced. I am convinced that these progressive changes will result in even more exciting projects within the Adams Dairy Parkway corridor and will positively affect our city and the region.
The progress is not just on the parkway. Other areas of the city continue to see change as well. Just last week the old Food Barn at Duncan Road and Missouri 7 was demolished, clearing the way for a future project yet to be announced.
In closing, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Blue Springs School District and the Golden Regiment Marching Band. They have been honored with the opportunity to represent our city and state, marching in Barack Obama’s inauguration parade in Washington, D.C., just two weeks after they return from marching in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif. This is an exciting time in Blue Springs with so much national attention on our community!
A much divided Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of zoning and comprehensive plan changes for two commercial projects on Adams Dairy Parkway Monday evening.
Several planning commissioners expressed concerns that these projects do not reflect the original flex/tech office plans for the parkway in Blue Springs. Adams Dairy Parkway and the Mall at Fall Creek are just two examples of projects that stagnated for more than a decade because our leaders refused to be flexible when reasonable alternatives were presented. In the more recent past, City Council and Planning Commission members have recognized that our city must be open to new ideas for development and must let go of long-held concepts that were not being realized.
For many years, the Mall at Fall Creek sat mostly empty, with only a few tenants open for business. I’m happy to report it will soon be fully leased. When our leaders are willing to adapt to changing needs and trends in the marketplace, the business community responds. By agreeing to change the requirements for the project, doors of opportunity were opened. Similarly, when the council agreed to modifications to the plan for Adams Dairy Parkway, new projects immediately began to come forward.
Because of the retail development, the likelihood of future development including the office and flex/tech of the original plan is greatly enhanced. I am convinced that these progressive changes will result in even more exciting projects within the Adams Dairy Parkway corridor and will positively affect our city and the region.
The progress is not just on the parkway. Other areas of the city continue to see change as well. Just last week the old Food Barn at Duncan Road and Missouri 7 was demolished, clearing the way for a future project yet to be announced.
In closing, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Blue Springs School District and the Golden Regiment Marching Band. They have been honored with the opportunity to represent our city and state, marching in Barack Obama’s inauguration parade in Washington, D.C., just two weeks after they return from marching in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif. This is an exciting time in Blue Springs with so much national attention on our community!
