Story updated 4:25 p.m.
Apartments, retail and restaurants would fill out the remaining lots of the Nottingham Center if the City Commission approves a developer’s proposal.
The plans, filed by the Borchardt Development Group, call for about 140 apartments and 10 two-story villas, according to city documents. Plus, the development would include 50,000 square feet of retail and office space. The plans call for a cafe with a potential outdoor patio overlooking Village Green.
The proposal is for a Nottingham Center “Village” eco-system. Phase 1 would include approximately 84 apartment lofts and up to 24,000 square feet of retail and service space with the cafe space.
Phase 2 would include approximately 56 apartment lofts that will have clubhouse facilities for “The Village Loft” apartments and “The Villas.” There would also be up to 31,000 square feet of additional retail/service/dining space potential.
The developer also proposes a dedicated space for a dining venue adjacent to the north side of the Village Green with potential outdoor seating with the capacity for some outdoor activities, such as pickleball, horseshoes or bocce ball.
The City Commission at its meeting Monday will consider the first step toward the development plan. City Manager Zack Daniel said there would be a series of steps in the future as the project moves through the city’s standard development process.
Daniel said the City Commission has been purposeful in what it wants to see from the Nottingham Center, and this development was an opportunity to fulfill that vision.
“This is really a great example of the kind of development that the commission was waiting for that ticks a lot of the boxes that we were hoping to see come to fruition,” Daniel said. “We’re excited to be taking this step.”
The Nottingham Center already includes a Wendy’s, Casey’s, Scooter’s and Mid America Bank. It is a tax increment finance district, a tool that finances developments by using the increased property taxes in a specific area.
“As residents of Eudora, we are invested in our community and want to see a development that would benefit, add value and bring growth to the city,” said Michel Borchardt, president of the Borchardt Development Group, in a letter attached to Monday’s meeting agenda.
Mayor Tim Reazin said the development gave them an opportunity to aid multiple needs they’ve heard from the community, like diversifying the city’s tax base to help reduce the burden on residents and build apartments, town-home-style housing, restaurants and other buildings the community had asked for.
He said the commission has discussed with the developers the possibility of including services such as a pediatrician or orthodontist, which Eudora currently lacks and requires residents to leave town for.
“I never want to be East Lawrence,” Reazin said. “I never want to be West De Soto. I want to be Eudora. I think people are very proud to be from Eudora, and I think that we can maximize and capitalize on the great things that make this community a growing, thriving spot.”
Reazin said he was disheartened by the reaction to the news on Facebook and hoped people would speak with commissioners directly or attend a public meeting to voice their views. The project will be discussed at many public meetings before approval, and Rezin said it was likely the project will shift and change as discussions happen.
“A positive, future-looking, goal-oriented mindset is what I would hope for,” he said. “I appreciate that we have someone local who’s willing to come back and invest in our community, and that means a lot.”
The Borchardt Development Group is requesting consideration of a further incentive package for the project. Monday’s vote is to accept two letters of intent for the purchase and development of the remaining lots in the Nottingham Center. Approval on Monday night would formally begin the process between the city and developers to review the requested incentive package and draft a development agreement for final review by the City Commission.
The development group is proposing to purchase the six lots for $1.6 million. Proceeds from the sale will be directed toward district improvements and debt payment as allowed, according to the meeting agenda.
This is a breaking news story, with more news coverage to come.
The City Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall to hear more about the developer’s plans.
