KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Wyandotte County Unified Government commission said fruition of its Healthy Campus project is still at least a year out.
Members made the announcement Thursday in a special session meeting, along with other important updates.
County Administrator Doug Bach announced the location of the campus will move from 10th and Minnesota to 5th and Minnesota. They decided it was more cost-effective and will help their chances of securing a grocery store.
The commission decided in February to put the project on pause because a grocer hadn't committed.
Over the last several months it became apparent to them that plans were getting too expensive and too big. It would have cost $35 million to complete the project at the original location.
The project was bolstered and championed by former mayor Mark Holland. It was envisioned as a huge development including a brand-new YMCA, a full-service grocery store, apartments and retail.
Now under Mayor David Alvey, the commission is breaking down the project; decoupling the YMCA from the grocery store, with the store being the top priority.
Bach said they've met with several grocers and are optimistic they'll get a finalized agreement in the next three to six months. They're looking at a "neighborhood market" concept, which will be 12,000 to 18,000 square feet.
Sources told 41 Action News the commission is working closely with a co-op based out of Lawrence, The Merc, which focuses on sustainable and organic food.
Talks at the special session seemingly went off without a hitch, compared to the tense conversations that have taken place in past meetings.
"This is positive. We have been here before, but I feel somehow that we're closer, and it's not 'if,' it's 'when,'" Commissioner Gayle Townsend said.
Commissioner Jane Philbrook also expressed her optimism.
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