Work has begun on a long-planned development that aims to offer a handful of food and retail options at the corner of Clinton Parkway and Inverness Drive starting later this year.
Real estate agent J Taylor said he and developers are discussing with restaurants, ice cream shops, a fitness group and child care providers. They are also talking with businesses looking to build new offices.
Development at the southeast corner of the intersection has been in the works for more than a decade. Originally, landowner Glen Lemesany wanted to develop a family fun center for the area but could not secure a permit to develop the land for outdoor recreation.
Near-identical retail projects have been planned and announced for the land in the past, but this is the first time they have begun construction on the site. Lemesany said that they were looking for restaurants because of the number of students living in nearby apartments.
“The people who live right there, I think it’s gonna be a convenience for them,” Lemesany said. “If they want to basically walk across the street and get something to eat, or maybe one of their favorite morning beverages, they might be able to get over there, too.”
Taylor said he has seen growing interest from businesses in neighborhood projects because they offer an abundance of residents nearby. Stone Hawk Square will be near multiple apartment complexes, neighborhoods and duplexes.
“We see the traffic going to the schools, we see the traffic going down 23rd Street and we see the kids walking up the street,” Lemesany said. “And we’re trying to attract to that.”
Architect Paul Werner said the design had received input from the surrounding property owners.
“We think that most of the traffic to this site will come from the existing neighbors or parents and students that are already in the area,” Werner said. “We have heard from neighbors that it would be great to have a coffee shop or ice cream shop to be able to walk to with their families.”
Taylor and Lemesany declined to give names of specific businesses because none have signed contracts. Plans shared by Taylor show that the development will include five buildings, a few of which could hold multiple businesses.
“The retail sector in Lawrence is strong,” Taylor said. “And with limited supply, it is difficult for operators to find quality space. Not only will this project offer conveniences to the neighborhood, it will be a great option to those struggling to find good space. Not to mention more commercial property on the tax rolls.”
With work on the project already started, Taylor said they hope to have spaces ready for tenants by the end of this year at the latest.
“We developed a plan that fits here and a zoning that the neighborhood could get behind,” Taylor said. “We’re excited to watch this project come to life.”
Note: This post has been corrected from a previous version.
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Cuyler Dunn (he/him), a contributor to The Lawrence Times, is a student at the University of Kansas School of Journalism. He is a graduate of Lawrence High School where he was the editor-in-chief of the school’s newspaper, The Budget, and was named the 2022 Kansas High School Journalist of the Year. Read more of his work for the Times here.
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