Apartments, retail, restaurants: $140M project takes shape where vacant Kmart sat in Merriam
MERRIAM, Kan. (KCTV) - After sitting vacant for years, the former Kmart site in Merriam is taking shape with a $140 million project, it’s called Merriam Grand Station.
The project has been in the works for years.
Once fully finished, Merriam Grand Station will include:
- 361 apartment units
- HomeGrown Kansas City
- 30hop: an Iowa-based bar and grill
- Outdoor gathering area with a stage, firepits, and activities
- Treats Unleashed
- Jersey Mike’s Subs
- Cava (Opening soon)
- Starbucks (Open now)
- Supplement Superstore (Open now)
The area already includes a Krispy Kreme and Freddy’s that remain open while construction has continued.
This development has been long awaited for both Merriam and its residents as the Kmart sat empty for at least 10 years.
“It was sad because at one time it was a going business,” said Bob Twineham, who lives just across the street from the project.
KCTV5 first met Twineham in 2022 when the project started.
He said it’s a welcome sight seeing the walls go up and restaurants and retail start opening their doors.
“They have actually done what they said they were going to do and showed in the renderings it really looks nice,” said Twineham. “It’s an improvement on a major intersection and that is a big plus for the city.”
With all of the new restaurants and retail set to be open by the end of this year and into 2025, many are excited about this new development.
“It has moved lighting speed I think everybody when they drive by Shawnee Mission Parkway they say wow that has changed so much,” said Drake Development President, Matt Pennington. He added, “I think everybody re the old eight-frame IHOP, the Kmart, there were properties behind Kmart that took a number of years just to assemble.”
The $140 million project is being paid for through the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District along I-35.
“It did not affect money directly out of the resident’s pockets to build that place,” said Merriam Mayor Bob Pape.
With a little over 11,000 residents, Mayor Pape expects the city to grow along with the project.
“It is good economically, it helps to hold our taxes down for all of our residents, it offers more opportunities for jobs, and it adds to the ambiance,” said Mayor Pape.
Applications are already open for Grand Station Lofts’ East building.
“They are taking leasing applications right now and we anticipate people to be moving in November of this year,” Pape said.
As residents and visitors drive by, they are hopeful for this boost as well but do worry about what it means for future traffic.
“Just being overcrowded I think is going to be too many cars for this area,” said Fairway resident, Kate Kreamer.
“Considering what it was like before you just have to say the benefits are going to weigh out the challenges,” said Twineham. He added, “To not just replace something just because it needs to be replaced but replace it with someone that really has merit and this really does have merit.”
While it’s taken time to get here and inflation raised the cost from $136 to $140 million, Pennington said in the end this will all be worth it for the area.
“It is kind of one of kind here in Kansas City with the multi-family, the restaurants, the retail, this is going to be a complete experience for really everyone involved,” said Pennington.
A new eat, stay, and play spot for Merriam residents and visitors.
“People can live there and walk to a restaurant you can get breakfast you can get lunch, you can get dinner and not even have to get in your car to go there,” said Mayor Pape.
He said they are also using about $5 million to put all utility work underground.
They plan to have concerts and activities under the big awning.
The project is expected to be fully finished in 2026.
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