Gladstone, Missouri

Think More ... Choices

Gladstone Meets the Challenge of Redevelopment

The City of Gladstone is effectively tackling the challenge of redeveloping a mature community and meeting the needs of a growing market area. A hallmark to the city’s work involves adding more choices for shopping, dining and conducting busi-ness, while creating a growing identity.

An established community in Clay County, Gladstone’s focus is frequently on redevelopment as much as development. A community of nearly 27,000, Gladstone is working effectively to ensure that both its new growth and its reconstruction include a wide range of choices for its residents and businesses. A variety of locations and settings is a key to ensuring those choices.

In just the last two years, Gladstone has taken several steps to ensure those choices, by approving:

• More than 88,000 square feet of new retail space;

• 3,600 square feet of business office space;

• More than 124 homes ranging $130,000 to $200,000;

• 44 new homes up to $500,000.

Gladstone is rebuilding itself on a strong economic foundation. By 2009, the population within five miles of North Oak Trafficway and 64th Street will exceed 156,994 people and nearly 70,000 households. As a community, Gladstone is slightly less than nine square miles, more than 95 percent developed. The City of Gladstone and its community leaders are working effectively to provide a variety of choices for this increased population in order to ensure the community will continue to thrive.

The loss of existing retail space south of Gladstone is expected to provide Gladstone with the opportunity to accommodate many displaced businesses, and recruitment is underway for several major commercial redevelopment projects, including Plaza 57 in the 5700 block of North Antioch Road and Tower Plaza at 64th Street and North Prospect. These new developments will offer 49,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and office choices for both the business operators and their patrons.

Another focus for the city involves the existing Gladstone Plaza Shopping Center. Bordering North Oak Trafficway and 64th Street, the 23-acre commercial parcel is the largest in Gladstone. However, it is generating only one-fifth of its retail potential. The City has been working extensively with developers to bring new life to the area. Space for several tenants, including a large-scale retailer is available.

One of the most dramatic redevelopments involves creation of a new “downtown.” Recognizing the need for a sense of place and a distinct identity for Gladstone, the city will have a new Downtown City Center to serve as a focal point for the community. Situated to the north of Gladstone Plaza, the City Center will encompass 59 acres around City Hall, Central Park and other civic facilities. When completed, the area will include 400,000 to 500,000 square feet of building area for office space, retail, restaurants and a residential components.

With all of these options available for shopping, working, dining and living, Gladstone’s continued progress means residents and businesses can antici-pate even more choices in the future.

© 2003 by Show-Me Publishing, Inc. with all rights reserved. Reproduction or use in any manner of editorial or
graphic content without permission is prohibited. | Destination Northland is a supplement to Ingram's Magazine