Liberty, Missouri

Multi-faceted Growth Spurs Liberty Surge

After years of steady growth, Liberty is in the midst of its most dramatic development in decades.

If that sounds like hyperbole, consider that the city is now seeing initial construction of a major retail development in an area that had remained nearly unchanged since the 1960s. Or study the nearly 2,000 acres of ready-to-develop property that will be accessed this year by a new, four-lane parkway.

Liberty’s economic development is more complex than one or two projects, however. From the historic downtown to the successful Heartland Meadows business park, Liberty’s growth shows a surprising level of diversity for a community of 27,000. Major employers range from Hallmark Cards to Ferrellgas to William Jewell College, annually ranked as one of the best small colleges in the nation.

Location is a major reason. Positioned at the northeastern edge of metropolitan Kansas City, Liberty straddles an enviable network of roadways, including I-35 and several major highways. Only 15 minutes from KCI Airport, it’s equally convenient to downtown Kansas City. A top-ranked school district and a regional hospital, now undergoing expansion, are other strong points.

Some advantages were not always maximized, however. The Liberty Triangle, an 88-acre area that is bounded by I-35 and Missouri highways 152 and 291, is capitalizing on this connectivity. A public/private partnership has paved the way for a large, master-planned retail complex. A bank/office building and major home supply center already are in place, but the most dramatic visual impact will begin later this year with additional retail along Highway 152. The development even has provided a solid tie with the rapidly growing area west of I-35, a dynamic retail and residential area outside of Liberty but within the Liberty School District.

Other projects also are significant. Liberty Park North, near I-35 and Highway 291, is filling its new medical offices. Nearby Oakwood Business Park is extending the retail market of Liberty west toward the Shoal Creek Valley. South on Church Road, this new development is designed as an upscale commercial development with excellent visibility and access to I-35.

The most dramatic area lies to the south, where the new South Liberty Parkway is being constructed across rolling farmland, east toward Highway 291. The significance of this work is evidenced by the nearly 2,000 acres of ready-to-develop property that will be accessible with completion of the first phase in 2005. A second phase, which will extend the parkway to Highway 291, will open an additional 1,800 acres for development once it is constructed.

The potential of this area is indicated by the nearness of several large properties owned by organizations with successful development track records, including Zion Properties and, just to the southwest, Hunt Midwest. Already, Ferguson Properties has announced plans for a 900,000-square foot, upscale retail development at the western intersection of the parkway with Highway 69 and I-35.

Liberty is growing “inward” as well. For more than 20 years, the historic Liberty Square has been one of the most successful of the area’s downtown redevelopments, with a wide range of antique, book and craft stores blended with some of the region’s most popular restaurants. The community works hard to keep it that way, and currently is engaged in an in-depth, community-based examination of how to continue to expand downtown success.

This effort is a good example of the kind of spirit that pervades Liberty. Known for its top-ranked schools and the nationally recognized William Jewell College, Liberty took a body blow in 2003 when a massive tornado skipped over the town, resulting in spotty but severe damage, including the eventual destruction of one of the historic square’s core buildings. The downtown businesses and the community as a whole have worked to ensure the downtown area maintains its vibrant character and to celebrate its recovery from this natural disaster.

Such community responses are evident in everything from school district support for major infrastructure improvement to a new public/private partnership to promote economic growth in the area. This kind of spirit provides a strong foundation for future growth and development.

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