Shoal Creek Valley

With an economic slowdown facing the country, some may think there are better times to embark on such an ambitious project. As Mark Staples sees it, however, “the timing couldn’t be better.” Staples points to the fact that a project of this size will take years to build out. “If you take any 20 year period in the last century, you will find natural periods of recession. The key to success in this business is to have your product available when people are ready to buy.” Johnson County may be the poster community for Staples’ point. It is no small
coincidence that the explosive expansion in the southern part of Kansas City took place primarily at a time when the economy turned red hot after an extended period of sluggish growth. “The type of community that we are putting together won’t happen overnight, but when it is done I truly believe that it will be admired for generations to come,” Staples adds.

To be sure, the initial plans for Shoal Creek Valley, particularly the commitment to preserving natural green ways and geographical features, seem to support the developer’s promises. Immediate plans call for the preservation of 480 acres, or about 30 percent of the property, to be maintained as parks or opens spaces. The open space will be divided among 10 distinct neighborhoods, all of which will be connected by miles of walking or biking trails. Additionally, each neighborhood will host a series of amenities including community centers, swimming pools and exercise areas.

According to Don Brandes, principle at Design Studios West of Denver and Shoal Creek project designer, “The intent for Shoal Creek is to attract families for multiple generations. It’s our hope and dream to attract families of different lifestyles and to provide the types of homes, shopping, employment and entertainment that appeal to this diverse group.” Shoal Creek’s managers have taken the time to research and determine what appeals to Midwesterners.

In fact, it was those research findings that may have had the most significant influence on Shoal Creek Valley’s determination not to create another cookie-cutter development. “We saw an opportunity to do something completely different,” says Staples. “We found in research that there was a growing demand for housing variety, the types of homes that you find in Brookside, Prairie Village or even Mission Hills. Consequently we surveyed the market and did not find a lot of developments that were pursuing this demand, so we recognized an opportunity to build and sell this type of product.”

To capture the essence of the more traditional Kansas City architecture, the Shoal Creek team will partner with local architects to develop home plans that will present some of the area’s most distinct architectural features. Designers have been asked to bring all facets to bear on their designs including materials, surroundings, topography and usage. “This somewhat fundamental approach to design will help ensure that when my grandchildren’s grandchildren visit Shoal Creek, they will find a place that naturally appeals to them, however many years later,” says Staples. Staples’ team also intends to carry their traditional design themes over to community buildings, retail and office centers and even the new schools that will be built in the community.

Speaking of schools, although Shoal Creek Valley lies in the Northeast corner of the Kansas City, Mo., city limits, residents of the community will actually attend the highly regarded Liberty School District. Naturally, the thought of 20,000 to 30,000 new residents in your district, half of which may be school-aged children, would worry most school superintendents. Quite the contrary, according to Dr. Scott Taveau, superintendent of the Liberty School District, however, “These people are concerned about schools and every aspect of their community. They have come to us to talk about after-school programs and day-care programs. We have met several times and are meeting again soon to start planning the location and programs for the new schools. They want a ‘Landmark School.’ We’ve talked about the amount of land we need and all the general concepts have been planned for. Now we’re getting everything concrete.”.

Houses in the “Preserve “ neighborhood at Shoal Creek Valley
will be a combination of golf course estates, villa homes and
carriage houses. The Preserve is surrounded by the
Shoal Creek Golf Course.

CREATING THE CULTURE
Not short on promises, the developers of Shoal Creek are committed to creating a community that offers something to everyone. “Imagine a place that offers the charming architecture of Brookside, the unique retail environment of the plaza, the infrastructure and amenities of Johnson County and the office settings found in Corporate Woods,” comments Mark Staples, vice president of Shoal Creek Valley Development Company, LLC. “That is what you will find in Shoal Creek Valley.” Beginning with the short drive from downtown Kansas City, it is obvious the roadways that serve Shoal Creek Valley will be a major asset. Bordered for the most part by I-35 and I-435 and divided from east to west by the newly expanded Missouri Highway 152, Shoal Creek offers residents easy access to all parts of the metropolitan area. Add in that Kansas City International Airport is a quick fifteen minute drive north along an underused stretch of I-435, and you begin to wonder how this property existed largely undisturbed for so long. “It’s really pretty simple,” as Steve Gilliland, Shoal Creek Valley construction manager relays it. “This project has been on the drawing board for eight or nine years. We are keenly aware of the potential impact that a development of this magnitude will have on its neighbors, the school district, transportation system and surrounding communities, and we wanted to make sure we got it right.” Getting it right included a commitment to follow Kansas City’s FOCUS plan, which was adopted in 1997 to address the growing issue pertaining to urban sprawl. According to Ed Ford, councilman-at-large from Kansas City’s first district, “It’s obvious that it’s a first-class development that has incorporated our FOCUS principles. This is a great partnership by all concerned. The city is excited by the FOCUS elements in the project, the Northland is excited by the development and the Shoal Creek Valley group is excited to be here.” Houses in the “Village” neighborhood at Shoal Creek will be on smaller lots adjacent to retail and a mixed- use neighborhood center. Quaint and convenient, The Village will have the feel of traditional Kansas City neighborhoods such as Brookside.
With an economic slowdown facing the country, some may think there are better times to embark on such an ambitious project. As Mark Staples sees it, however, “the timing couldn’t be better.” Staples points to the fact that a project of this size will take years to build out. “If you take any 20 year period in the last century, you will find natural periods of recession. The key to success in this business is to have your product available when people are ready to buy.” Johnson County may be the poster community for Staples’ point. It is no small coincidence that the explosive expansion in the southern part of Kansas City took place primarily at a time when the economy turned red hot after an extended period of sluggish growth. “The type of community that we are putting together won’t happen overnight, but when it is done I truly believe that it will be admired for generations to come,” Staples adds. To be sure, the initial plans for Shoal Creek Valley, particularly the commitment to preserving natural green ways and geographical features, seem to support the developer’s promises. Immediate plans call for the preservation of 480 acres, or about 30 percent of the property, to be maintained as parks or opens spaces. The open space will be divided among 10 distinct neighborhoods, all of which will be connected by miles of walking or biking trails. Additionally, each neighborhood will host a series of amenities including community centers, swimming pools and exercise areas. According to Don Brandes, principle at Design Studios West of Denver and Shoal Creek project designer, “The intent for Shoal Creek is to attract families for multiple generations. It’s our hope and dream to attract families of different lifestyles and to provide the types of homes, shopping, employment and entertainment that appeal to this diverse group.” Shoal Creek’s managers have taken the time to research and determine what appeals to Midwesterners.	On October 11th the developers of the Shoal Creek Valley community officially broke ground on what is billed to be Kansas City’s largest combination residential/commercial development since the J.C. Nichols Company developed the Country Club Plaza area.
Area realtors and community leaders were treated to a groundbreaking ceremony, lunch and dinner. The outing attracted over 100 golfers who tested their skill on the new Shoal Creek Golf Course.	In fact, it was those research findings that may have had the most significant influence on Shoal Creek Valley’s determination not to create another cookie-cutter development. “We saw an opportunity to do something completely different,” says Staples. “We found in research that there was a growing demand for housing variety, the types of homes that you find in Brookside, Prairie Village or even Mission Hills. Consequently we surveyed the market and did not find a lot of developments that were pursuing this demand, so we recognized an opportunity to build and sell this type of product.” To capture the essence of the more traditional Kansas City architecture, the Shoal Creek team will partner with local architects to develop home plans that will present some of the area’s most distinct architectural features. Designers have been asked to bring all facets to bear on their designs including materials, surroundings, topography and usage. “This somewhat fundamental approach to design will help ensure that when my grandchildren’s grandchildren visit Shoal Creek, they will find a place that naturally appeals to them, however many years later,” says Staples. Staples’ team also intends to carry their traditional design themes over to community buildings, retail and office centers and even the new schools that will be built in the community. Speaking of schools, although Shoal Creek Valley lies in the Northeast corner of the Kansas City, Mo., city limits, residents of the community will actually attend the highly regarded Liberty School District. Naturally, the thought of 20,000 to 30,000 new residents in your district, half of which may be school-aged children, would worry most school superintendents. Quite the contrary, according to Dr. Scott Taveau, superintendent of the Liberty School District, however, “These people are concerned about schools and every aspect of their community. They have come to us to talk about after-school programs and day-care programs. We have met several times and are meeting again soon to start planning the location and programs for the new schools. They want a ‘Landmark School.’ We’ve talked about the amount of land we need and all the general concepts have been planned for. Now we’re getting everything concrete.”.
The local retail-business community is equally eager to see the Shoal Creek construction crews roll in. “The people of Shoal Creek Development are quality people. They brought their entire board out to meet us at their groundbreaking,” declares Ed Bradley, president of Guaranty Bank & Trust, which is located near the development. “We came to the Northland because of what is now going on around us. It has been a tremendous success and more now than ever with Shoal Creek underway.” Although Bradley’s bank likely will benefit from the increased retail activity in the Northland, not all current-area residents are thrilled to see an increase in automobile traffic. The primary entrance into Shoal Creek Valley lies on Highway 152, almost equidistant between I-35 and I-435. The 152 / I-35 intersection has long been a sore spot for Northlanders and particularly Liberty residents. Even with recent improvements, the roadways seem overwhelmed by the growing retail centers and related traffic. Staples doesn’t deny that Shoal Creek will have an impact on this situation; however, he points out that his team has worked hand-in-hand with the city to design a distribution system that is appropriate for the development. Changes include the four-lane Shoal Creek Parkway that will extend north and south through the development and will route traffic away from 152 / I-35. “I believe that I-435 south to I-35 will become the route of choice for Shoal Creek residents as they travel to downtown Kansas City. It is almost exactly the same distance as directly down I-35, but it is much quicker since there is little traffic,” claims Staples. Traffic concerns aside, it appears that Shoal Creek Valley has no shortage of fans with perhaps the most important support coming from Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes. In her words, “The Shoal Creek Valley Development is a wonderful project that will mean great things for the surrounding areas in the years to come.The developers have spent a great deal of time working with our city planners to ensure this project fits into the city’s strategic plan, and I’m confident their efforts will pay off with a vibrant and exciting residential and retail district.” Concludes Mark Staples, “Ideally we will find everything that is great about Kansas City and create it in one place.”	Houses in the “Preserve “ neighborhood at Shoal Creek Valley will be a combination of golf course estates, villa homes and carriage houses. The Preserve is surrounded by the Shoal Creek Golf Course.