The multi-billion dollar Brookridge project has faced two years of strong opposition, but now the developers have offered a new compromise some people can live with.
Norma Mitchell and her husband bought their Overland Park home 47 years ago.
“It's terrible. I can't stand to think about the course being tore up because he built the course and he ran it for 25 years,” Mitchell explained about her husband, who has since passed.
Two years ago, Curtin Property Company bought the Brookridge Golf Course behind Mitchell’s home with new plans for the more than 8 million square feet of land.
Mitchell said, “He wants all of our houses up and down this street because he wants to widen Antioch. And I said, 'Well, I don't know how you can do that when we don't want to sell.'”
The developers planned office space, hotels, a movie theater and even a 3,500-seat performance venue.
However, in order to pass through zoning and City Council, the developers needed to acquire 12 homes along Antioch. The developers have since purchased and knocked down on and shut off power to another. Five of the twelve homeowners remain, including Mitchell's.
“I've lived here for 47 years and all of us have, we're all old people,” Mitchell said, referencing her other neighbors.
Last week, the development group submitted new plans to the city. This time, the company's attorney said they took the area that included the homes out of the plan - instead, carving out the land behind the homes for nine holes of golf and a driving range.
Some homes may have already been sold, but Mitchell said if she can keep her home and some of the golf course, she'll be able to keep her memories.
“He built the golf course because he thought it was pretty and I'd rather be here than anywhere,” Mitchell said.
The updated plans will go to the Planning Commission for a vote next month.
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Shannon Halligan can be reached at shannon.halligan@kshb.com.
