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Mission hears early concept for new apartments near Powell Community Center

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A two-building apartment concept might be on its way to downtown Mission, adding to the list of similar projects already being built or under consideration in the city.

What’s going on: During last week’s Community Development Committee meeting, officials from Indianapolis-based developer Milhaus gave a preliminary presentation for a proposed apartment complex near the Sylvester Powell Jr. Community Center in Mission.

The details: Plans for the new Mission apartments are still in the early stages and a formal application has not yet been submitted. But for now, here are the details, as presented to the Community Development Committee:

  • The development would be built in two parts on either side of Martway Street to the east and south of Powell Community Center.
  • The east building would be a four-story, multi-family apartment complex which would wrap around a parking garage and would also house community amenities, the leasing office, and about 1,500 square feet of retail space.
  • The building south of Martway would be three stories and composed of 35 multi-family units with lot parking.
  • Buildings currently standing on the proposed project site appear to be mostly vacant, including a now-shuttered branch of Security Bank of Kansas City.
An aerial map of proposed project area for new Mission apartments.
The proposed project area, divided into two parts on the north and south sides of Martway, outlined in red above. Beverly Park is outlined in blue. Image via Mission city documents.

Another thing: The development would necessitate moving Beverly Park, 5935 Beverly Street.

  • Milhaus has proposed a land swap, moving Beverly Park to near the Mission Family Aquatic Center and tennis courts at Anderson Park.

What they’re saying: Mission City Administrator Laura Smith told the Shawnee Mission Post via email that the proposal is still in its very early stages.

  • Generally, Smith said, developers are asked to host a neighborhood session for nearby residents.
  • Developers must also go through a formal public hearing process before they can submit an official application, she added.

More background: Smith said initially, Milhaus approached the city with a request to purchase Beverly Park to get the unit count they were aiming for, but the city did not want to give up the green space.

  • Smith said the land swap helps avoid losing any green space.

Key quote: “When compared to national metrics, Mission is already lacking benchmark green space per capita, and that, coupled with the [city] council’s strong desire to consider acquiring more green space when possible meant that we didn’t feel comfortable allowing the conversation with Milhaus to proceed without there being the opportunity to replace at least the same amount of green space we would lose by giving up Beverly Park,” Smith said.

Beverly Park would be moved with new Mission apartments.
As part of the project, Beverly Park on Beverly Street would be moved, potentially to Anderson Park near the Mission Family Aquatic Center. Photo credit Kyle Palmer.

What happens next with Mission apartment proposal?

Smith said the City will facilitate a meeting with the planning and community development staff next to discuss the project.

  • John McGurk, vice president of development at Milhaus, said to get the ball rolling on their end, they plan on beginning city processes and community engagement.
  • “We are very excited to get started to find a project that everyone can get excited about,” McGurk said in an email to the Shawnee Mission Post.

Bigger picture: From the new Mission Bowl Apartments currently under construction off Johnson Drive to a proposed apartment project off Foxridge Drive and 56th Street, Mission is undergoing an apartment boom of sorts. 

  • Other current housing proposals include the residential portion of the Mission Gateway project, 58Nall and Mission Vale, a townhome community a block away from 58Nall.

Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga is a freelance reporter who frequently publishes stories for the Post, as well as other Kansas City area media outlets. 

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