Grandview TIF Commission is Reviewing Two Redevelopment Proposals for Landmark Truman Corners Shopping Center

By Gabriel Circiog, Associate Editor

Two plans have emerged for the redevelopment of the Truman Corners Shopping Center, the deteriorating suburban landmark. The Kansas City Star reports that the Grandview Tax Increment Financing Commission is reviewing two proposals.

Truman Corners, located off U.S. 71 at Blue Ridge Boulevard, opened in 1957 and was deemed one of the largest outlying shopping centers in the U.S. The retail center was built on property that was part of the Truman Farmstead and was dedicated by President Harry Truman.

In time, the shopping center felt the heat of the fierce competition as newer and bigger shopping centers emerged in the region. Currently the Price Chopper supermarket is the major business that has remained with Sam’s Club possibly relocating soon.

The 650,000-square-foot Truman Corners could now benefit from the revival of the Grandview region. While the U.S. 71 still offers good traffic and the surrounding neighborhoods are solid, the International House of Prayer is building a new world headquarters across the highway and not far away the replacement facility for the Honeywell nuclear weapons parts plant is being developed at Missouri 150 and Botts Road.

RED Development of Kansas City has come up with a project called Truman’s Landing that would see much of the property being demolished and rebuilt at a cost between $75 and $100 million. According to Dan Lowe of RED, following initial discussions with potential tenants, he is confident the project could attract a similar mix to other retail projects carried out by RED in the area. Two such projects are the Adams Dairy Landing in Blue Springs and Summit Woods in Lee’s Summit.

On the other hand, American Resurgence proposes to demolish the south part and build a new 80,000-square-foot home for Price Chopper, along with some small shops. The middle section, where Price Chopper is currently located, would be renovated and host a 65,000-square-foot Burlington Coat Factory. The north segment of the center would be torn down to free-up space for new big-box stores according to George Campbell, vice president of the company.