Northeast Renewal Johnson County's older, northeastern communities are seeing healthy redevelopment. In Shawnee, projects include a new three-story, 102,000 s.f. headquarters for Perceptive Software, Inc., in the Shawnee Crossings office park. Another is a new 243,000 s.f. distribution center for Bayer HeathCare, LLC. Retail projects include the 188,000 s.f. Woodsonia West Shopping Center on K-7 Highway.

Merriam Pointe is a proposed $55 million, 215,000 s.f. power center at 67th Street and I-35. The project's developer, Fishman & Co., spent $2 million to demolish the 200,000 s.f. Lucent Technologies building to make way for the center, which is expected to include three tenants in a 95,000 s.f. building. Plans also call for several separate pad sites and car dealerships.

Merriam is working with Merriam Redevelopment LLC on Merriam Village, a proposed $60 million project south of Merriam Town Center. Merriam Village plans 250,000 s.f. of retail space and a senior citizens apartment complex.

In Roeland Park, ground has been broken on the 32-acre Roeland Park Fountains shopping center at 50th Terrace and Roe Boulevard. With 231,000 s.f. of retail space, it will be completed in 2006. The center's four fountains will include a large, cascading display in front of Price Chopper, which will also include an outdoor market.

(left) Bayer HeathCare is planning a new 243,000 s.f. distribution center in Shawnee Kansas. (right) Topeka Kansas is exploring new ways to promote its attractions, such as Hearltland Park.

Balancing Johnson County is Lawrence and the Kansas capital, Topeka. Only minutes away on K-10, Lawrence boasts Kansas University, with its growing life sciences research program, and an increasingly cooperative development environment. Topeka is exploring ways to better promote its own racetrack, Heartland Park, which is home to the Sports Car Club of America. Topeka also achieved dramatic success with efforts such as the new Target Distribution Center, now with 800 employees. Topeka's most dramatic move was proposed in the November election with a plan to form a unified city/county government.

More Surprises In Wyandotte County, retail strength is one reason for increased residential growth and commercial development in the western portions of that county and nearby Leavenworth County. Basehor recently approved rezoning of land near 147th Street and Leavenworth Road for light industrial, contingent upon location of an "appropriate client" to pursue development there. Edwardsville recently open-ed one million square feet of new commercial space.

Johnson County, Missouri, is seeing enviable growth, including metro Kansas City residents seeking a rural lifestyle and a large population surrounding Whiteman Air Force Base. Warrensburg, home of Central Missouri State University, is also considering a business park near the university-owned Max B. Swisher Skyhaven Airport.

In Franklin County, Kan., several major highway projects are bringing opportunities. Ottawa has invested in infrastructure improvements that open the way for growth, including a new, 120-unit residential development.

In St. Joseph, RED Development recently announ-ced several new tenants for its North Village, a 750,000 s.f. shopping center. The center is scheduled to open in spring 2005. Located on a 77-acre site at North Belt Highway and Cook Road, the Shoppes at North Village is part of a 244-acre retail development proposed by the Buchanan County Commission.

Growth is on the horizon: With more than $3.5 billion in construction slated or under way for Kansas City's urban core, keeping track of development has become a full-time job. The diversity of projects range from world headquarters for tax preparation companies to sports arenas--and are visible in almost every corner of the area. It is no exaggeration to forecast that Kansas City's skyline will be significantly altered over the next five years.