In many ways, Cass County can still boast the benefits of sleepy communities in scenic rural locations. But especially in connection with its transportation network, several prime locations are seeing accelerated development.

The county’s primary surface transportation is U.S. 71, a major north-south, four-lane highway that connects I-49 in Louisiana with I-35 and I-29 that range north from Kansas City to Canada. As Cass County’s most significant artery, 71 gives the region its distinct, north-south bias and serves as the major axis for both residential and commercial growth. Proposed for an upgrade to full interstate standards, Highway 71 is potentially a close second to the “NAFTA Super Highway” I-35, which also enters Kansas City from the south, only a few miles from 71.

This strategic network gains importance with nearby highways, such as east-west I-70, and other transportation facilities in the Kansas City region. None of those may be more significant than the proposed intermodal facility at the former Richards-Gebaur Memorial Airport, located in Jackson County but adjacent to northern Cass County communities Belton and Raymore.

Chicago industrial developer CenterPoint Realty Services Corp. is purchasing the former airport from the city of Kansas City for $5.6 million. CenterPoint has outlined expenditures of more than $250 million to redevelop the 1,400-acre, former airfield into “a world call inland port.” With final agreement expected to be reached in late 2006, some development could be complete as early as 2007.

Initial plans call for recruitment of new manufacturing, warehouse and shipping operations, growth that would likely increase demand for Cass County homes and related businesses. While the pace of this large project has been slow, it is not speculative. The intermodal hub would benefit from nearby development under way by Kansas City Southern Industries as well as regional plans for a Kansas City SmartPort. One of the area’s leading developers, Hunt Midwest Enterprises, is progressing in efforts to develop Richards-Gebaur’s underground space.

Closer to Cass County in both time and distance, commercial hot spots include the east-west Highway 58 through Belton and Raymore, which has become a major retail focus and connects the county’s major residential developments. Nearby, previously undeveloped properties near Route Y and Highway 71 are seeing commercial development on three of four corners at this strategic location.

Similar work on previously undeveloped property is under way in Harrisonville, the Cass County seat and the largest community not immediately adjacent to Kansas City. Harrisonville is seeing new commercial development on two of its three Highway 71 intersections. The other was built-out several years ago with predominantly retail growth.

The newer development is spurred by a fresh wave of local growth and increased traffic. The first development is on Harrisonville’s southern most intersection where a Sutherland Lumber Center will anchor the new Harrisonville Town Center retail development. Several pad sites are under development along with the strip center.

Harrisonville Marketplace has been proposed on 20 acres near the second of the city’s three Highway 71 intersections. Located at Wall and Commercial streets, this proposed development is currently slated as mixed-use, but predominantly retail. Located where a secondary highway enters Harrisonville from the west, this growth could also impact the city’s long-term expansion.

Harrisonville’s economic health is also anchored by one of the most beautiful, historic downtowns in the region.

Still largely residential neighborhoods, Peculiar is seeing significant housing and some retail growth as developments are completed to the north.

Cass County’s east-west transportation includes Highway 58. Raymore’s retail growth, especially, has been boosted with completion of improvements to that route. Sections of Highway 58 west of Belton to Kansas are slated for improvement.

The biggest upcoming projects include the proposed Highway 71 interchange near 185th Street, a potentially dramatic addition that has already brought plans for a 2,000-acre multi-use development in Raymore and similar growth likely to follow on the west side, in Belton. Construction of the interchange could begin as soon as 2008.

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graphic content without permission is prohibited. | Destination Cass County is a supplement to Ingram's Magazine