The empty site where Indian Springs Mall once stood will soon transform into a sustainable urban community featuring more than 1,500 new homes, retail spaces, and a 30-acre solar microgrid.
After sitting vacant since 2016, the 90-acre site at the intersection of I-635 and I-70 in Kansas City, Kansas, is getting new life as “Midtown Station.”
The project will bring more than 1,500 new homes, shops, restaurants, and green spaces to the heart of KCK. For Erik Murray, who grew up in KCK and leads the development team, the project is personal.
“We are delivering on a project in an area that has suffered from decades of disinvestment,” Murray said. “This project is empowering the east side of Kansas City, Kansas, with clean energy, sustainable housing and authentic, local businesses.”
Wyandotte County has had a boon of development in the west near I435, including the Legends and Kansas Speedway, but similar development in east KCK hasn’t been realized.
“People would say to us that trying to attract retailers or residents at the level of extreme quality that we expect to deliver is not possible,” said Murray. “But I’m here to tell you that it is possible.”
Beyond housing, the development will include 200,000 square feet of space for shops and businesses, a hotel with meeting spaces, and areas designed to help local entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
The project brings together Murray’s firm with Jonathan Arnold, a developer known for building sustainable housing in Kansas City. Arnold sees Midtown Station as a new kind of neighborhood where everything residents need is just a short walk away.
“People simply want vibrant places to live, work, and play within a 15 minute walk of home, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering here,” Arnold said.
Location is another key selling point. The site sits at a sweet spot for getting around the metro area.
“You can get anywhere in Kansas City in 10 or 15 minutes from this site,” said Murray. “You get up to the airport in 15 minutes, out to the legends in five or 10 minutes, downtown in five or 10 minutes.”
Local transportation officials also welcome the development. Deasiray Bush, who leads the Unified Government Transportation Department, called the development a transit-oriented site that will have a positive impact on the area.
“This site will bring an enhanced quality of life and stimulate economic growth for our residents,” said Bush.
The development stands out for its focus on clean energy. A massive solar power system will spread across 30 acres, aiming to provide all the power needed for the homes, shops, and offices.
“This housing is going to be delivered in a sustainable format. Net zero is our goal,” said Murray. “We are building a 30-acre solar microgrid that will power all of the residential, retail and commercial spaces that are on this site.”
Construction is set to begin in summer 2025, with the first new buildings opening their doors in 2026 and 2027. The development marks one of the largest investments in KCK in recent years, bringing new energy to a part of the city that has waited years for revival.
“We have embedded sustainable design, we have embedded affordability, we have embedded creativity and innovation into every aspect of this project,” Murray said. “As someone who grew up in KCK… it brings me great pride to be in position to deliver on a landmark project that will make our entire community Dotte Proud!”
