Casey's new prototype store to open in Belton

Casey’s (sans General Store) plans to open a new prototype store – the first of its kind in the Kansas City metro area – at the southwest corner of East 163rd St. and Cornerstone Dr. in Belton, Mo. on December 17, 2020.

The 6,000+ SF prototype is larger than many of the newest Casey’s and double-the-size of many existing locations. It includes a full-service kitchen with a customer view of fresh food preparation, an expanded menu, double-the-average seating capacity and new services - including a loyalty program and curbside pickup.

“As much as possible, Casey’s looks at what the community needs, the amount of space we are able to secure for a site as well as sales and operational considerations to inform store format,” said Megan Elfers, vice president of marketing and advertising for Casey’s.

The Belton location will showcase the first change in the brand in fifty years - dropping “General Store” and replacing the red and yellow barn logo with a solid red silhouette of the barn and classic rooster weathervane.

“Casey’s new location joins Cass County’s first Cracker Barrel in Belton’s Cornerstone Pointe development, which has excellent visibility from I-49. The additional traffic generated by the new Casey’s will be attractive to other businesses looking to start or expand in Belton. We appreciate Casey’s reinvestment in our community and look forward to the new offerings this brand new prototype will bring to our community," said Carolyn Yatsook, Belton economic development director.

Eyeing potential along I-49, NorthPoint breaks ground on 148-acre golf course redevelopment

NorthPoint Development officially broke ground Wednesday morning on Southview Commerce Center, a 148-acre flex industrial campus at 16001 S. Outer Road just east of Interstate 49. At full buildout, the redevelopment of the former Southview Golf Course will create an estimated 1,400 jobs with an annual wage impact of $57 million.

“NorthPoint continues to expand its footprint in the Kansas City industrial market and we are pleased to announce our newest business park, Southview Commerce Center. This project shows our focus on investing in parks with great access, labor, and a strong public/private partnership like we have with the City of Belton,” said NorthPoint Development CEO Nathaniel Hagedorn, in a release.

Belton Mayor Jeff Davis noted NorthPoint Development’s success in helping transform communities through the development of quality business parks and thanked the development team for bringing its vision for the abandoned private golf course to the City.

“After sitting vacant for more than a decade, we believe that the redevelopment of the former Southview Golf Course will create new economic opportunity for the next generation of Belton residents,” Mayor Davis said. “The City is eager to continue working with NorthPoint to attract advanced manufacturing, warehouse and distribution operations to our community.”

Southview Commerce Center is master-planned for five state-of-the-art buildings ranging from 235,000 to 622,000 square feet, for a total footprint of more than 2 million square feet. The project’s construction timeline will be market driven based on leasing activity.

NorthPoint plans to invest more than $100 million in the redevelopment project.

“We always say, 'capital goes where capital is welcomed,’ and we feel very welcomed in Belton,” Hagedorn said. “Southview Commerce Center represents a large capital investment from our firm, which in turn will create significant job opportunities for the residents of Belton, Cass County, and the surrounding area.”

At the groundbreaking, NorthPoint Vice President Brent Miles credited the persistence of Belton Economic Development Director Carolyn Yatsook for NorthPoint’s initial interest in the site.

“We believe in Belton, and we believe in this site,” Miles said. “I wouldn’t be standing here today if I hadn’t decided to go to Big Cedar Lodge for Thanksgiving and ended up sitting on I-49 and seeing the site and saying, ‘Well, Carolyn continues to call me every three months, I think I’ll call her back.’ ”

Yatsook said the City has worked hard to create a business-friendly environment that allows developers like NorthPoint and business prospects to have an expedited, hassle-free experience as they move through the approval process.

“We offer a single departmental contact to help guide our development partners every step of the way-from initial consultation through to project delivery,” Yatsook said. “We also recognize that many projects are time sensitive. NorthPoint was able to move from land acquisition to today’s groundbreaking in under six months, which means they will be able to take advantage of this historically strong industrial market.”

Mark Fountain of True North Industrial Realty will lead leasing efforts for Southview Commerce Center.

Four new retail stores open in Belton Gateway

Four retailers have celebrated March grand openings in Belton Gateway’s $63 million second phase, including Marshall's, Party City, Petco, and Five Below.

Ross Dress for Less is scheduled to open later this spring in the $136 million, 47-acre mixed-use development located just west of I-49 at Y Highway. Kneaders Bakery opened in the summer of 2017.

“Belton Gateway is quickly becoming Cass County’s premier retail destination, thanks to its location and easy highway access,” said Belton Economic Development Director Carolyn Yatsook. “We are seeing a tremendous amount of activity in this corridor.”

In addition, the relocation of Turner Road has been completed and provides improved traffic flow to the North Scott redevelopment area. Additional pad sites are available for retail and restaurant development.

Developed by Christie Development, Belton Gateway’s two phases are master planned for a total of more than 182,000 square feet of developable space. The project’s $70 million Phase One is anchored by a 58,000-square foot Academy Sports and Outdoors store and a 55,000-square foot Hobby Lobby. Phase One has potential for construction of a 20,000-square foot hotel.