Commerce Bank slated for one of last undeveloped parcels in Roeland Park

The last two undeveloped properties in Roeland Park sit across the street from the Gateway project in Mission. And one of those parcels is already destined to become the site of a new Commerce Bank branch.

The properties are the green spaces on the north side of Johnson Drive on both the east and west sides of Roe Avenue. Often home to art works, sidewalks are now being built along both stretches with federal stimulus money. The City of Roeland Park sold approximately three acres on the northwest corner to Commerce for its appraised value with a March 2014 deadline for construction, according to city administrator Aaron Otto. A new bus stop also will be located on that side of Johnson Drive.

Several homes back up to the Commerce property, but a small slice of private land lies behind them and the bank land. On the other side of the street – the northeast corner -Roeland Park still owns approximately three acres, but the parcel is complicated by the fact that Fairway owns a small slice of the open space and approximately an acre is in Mission. No deal is in the works though there has been some interest in that property for development. Its future will be up to the new governing body, Otto said.

The dynamics of the intersection are expected to change considerably when the Gateway is built out. Ironically, the parcels sit across the street from the site of the new Walmart which will replace the Roe Avenue store and move several hundred thousand in sales tax dollars from Roeland Park to Mission.

A third city owned-site, the old home of the Roeland Park pool near 48th and Roe, could have potential for redevelopment. The city is exploring its suitability for commercial use, especially as it relates to old cave works that were below ground in the area.