The city continues its search for businesses to fill the Nottingham Center development after a proposed bowling alley entertainment venue was unable to secure funding by the end of May. 

The city’s agreement with the High 5 Entertainment Center was suspended over the summer, and City Manager Barack Matite said conversations between Eudora and potential retailers are ongoing. 

“We’ve had some inquiries and interest, but nothing to share publicly yet,” Matite said. “It’s just a matter of sitting down with them and seeing if their vision and our vision match.”

He added that Kelly Construction will begin work in the next couple of weeks on the Village Green, a space for community gatherings like farmers markets. 

“If Kelly Construction starts and completes their work based on the schedule they gave us by Thanksgiving, hopefully we’ll have some sort of community celebration,” Matite said. 

Plans for the Panasonic Energy plant were announced in July. The projected 4,000 workers at the facility will bring in revenue to nearby cities like Eudora. 

Matite said the city has expanded its infrastructure to prepare for inevitable growth, but now this timeline is shortened because of the announcement. Eudora will continue to apply for various grants to fund projects like housing, commercial retailing and road improvements.

“We’ll try to get ahead of it as much as we can,” Matite said. “Since that announcement, a lot of communities are still waiting for more information and hopefully we’ll get more from the state.”

In terms of other developments, Matite said the city is looking at the feasibility of a youth sports center. He added that this would be a long-term project, and more details will be provided later. 

Reach reporter Abby Shepherd at [email protected]