Posted March 19, 2014 07:49 pm – Updated March 19, 2014 10:12 pm
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Winds of change sweep along Wanamaker corridor
Two current businesses confirmed Wednesday plans to move into either a new space within the community improvement district along the Wanamaker corridor or vacate their existing location for a nearby building.
Meanwhile, the developer of the Crosswinds Commons Community Improvement District said a project to renovate a strip mall along a northern section of S.W. Wanamaker will be completed prior to 2015, with tenants filtering in during this summer.
Developer David Christie complimented the Topeka City Council and city manager Jim Colson for having the vision to see what the Crosswinds Commons development could become with investment and much-needed upgrades made possible by declaring the 40-year-old property an improvement district.
The council vote levied a 1 percent tax on retail sales and services within the district. The tax will be in effect for up to 22 years, with revenue reimbursing private investment in the $22.6 million development being carried out by Overland Park-based Christie Development Associates LLC.
Christie said work on the project — including a face-lift to the front of the strip, overlay of the parking lot and new signage — is beginning this week.
“Without the subsidy of the CID allowing us to pay for those renovations and the additional revenue, the project wouldn’t have been possible,” Christie said of the upgrades and attracting new businesses.
The strip mall, which sits on the west side of S.W. Wanamaker between S.W. 11th and 12th streets, currently holds Orscheln Farm & Home but is marked by vacant storefronts. Topeka City Council members revealed last week that Five Guys Burgers and Fries and Academy Sports+Outdoors are among businesses that will set up shop in the development.
As part of the shakeup in Crosswinds Commons, Orscheln will move to the space on the north end of the property, store manager Angela Steele confirmed Wednesday. Steele said the business will remain open throughout the process of occupying the adjacent and slightly larger space, which she said will result in a bump up from the 25 people she currently employs. Steele hopes to be set up inside Orscheln’s new home in June.
“Everything in it will be brand new,” Steele said, adding that the store will host a grand opening.
Contributing further to the changes is Factory Direct Appliance, which is vacating its location. The store is moving across the street and north about a block to 1040 S.W. Wanamaker Road, which formerly housed John Hoffer Premier Autos West.
A Factory Direct store manager acknowledged the move Wednesday but refused to discuss further details, citing a hectic day.
Allan Rojas, senior communications coordinator with Academy Sports+Outdoors, on Wednesday said the major retailer’s move into the capital city will bring with it about 125 full- and part-time jobs and lease 67,000 square feet of space. A timeline for the store’s opening hadn’t been established.
“We’re really excited to open up in Topeka and show the community who we are — not just opening the store but getting involved in the community,” Rojas said.
Rojas said what separates Academy from its competitors is its dedication to everyday low prices and wide range of merchandise for novices to professionals. The store also price matches, he said.
The location will be its fourth in Kansas. Two spots opened in Olathe and Overland Park in 2013. A Wichita location in 2012 was the first in the state.
Attempts to reach Five Guys for details on its move were unsuccessful Wednesday afternoon.
The district’s developer Christie revealed in January prior to the city’s governing body permitting the CID that the development was expected to create more than 250 jobs and attract three new eateries and a large sporting goods retailer.
Christie on Wednesday identified the age of the property and its location relative to the heart of the Wanamaker corridor as reasons the CID was needed to spur its revitalization and growth.
“It’s not in the core of where all the other Wanamaker tenants are, so it makes it more difficult,” he said.
The CID helps to relieve some of the rent burden lessees would have shouldered without it as an incentive for businesses to commit, allowing for competitive rental rates while money is funneled into the shopping center, Christie said.