Gardner Planning Commission recommends approval for development that would include 15,000-seat concert venue

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Gardner Planning Commission voted to recommend a development project that would include a 15,000-seat indoor-outdoor concert venue and a college campus.

The Velocity Arts Campus would sit on about 215 acres located south of 167^th Street, west of Clare Road, north of 175^th Street, and southeast of Industrial Bypass and the I-35 and 175^th Street bypass.

The proposed development is so large that the City of Gardner may not be able to provide water, wastewater and electrical service.

The city staff recommended the Planning Commission approve the project, but with four conditions, including review and approval by the Johnson County Airport Commission and the Johnson County Board of Commissioners.

Two residents spoke in favor of the development, with one pointing out the city chose not to build the racetrack that landed in Kansas City, Kansas.

The development also would include a 6,000-seat E-sports arena and a 10-acre recreational lagoon, according to the project description.

KSHB 41 News Johnson County reporter Elyse Schoenig has been following the development plans.

She recently spoke to the owner of a popular downtown business.

"Gardner is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Kansas City metro," said Keith Davenport, owner of Groundhouse Coffee in Gardner. "Our community is very much split between wanting to be very progressive and develop and have more opportunities for both work and entertainment here, and keeping that small-town feel."

The proposal is scheduled to come before the Gardner City Council on Sept. 21.

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