Erik Murray remembers visiting Indian Springs Mall as a child when it was still the commercial heart of Kansas City, KS.
Now, he’s leading the development of a billion-dollar project to transform the site into a sustainable urban community featuring more than 1,500 new homes, retail spaces, and a 30-acre solar microgrid.
For nearly two decades, the former Indian Springs Mall site has stood as a symbol of unrealized potential in KCK. The mall’s story is a familiar one – opened in 1971, it thrived through the 1980s before beginning a steady decline in the late 1990s.
By 2007, the Wyandotte County Unified Government had acquired the property through eminent domain for $8.4 million, and in 2016, the mall was finally demolished. Multiple developers have come and gone, each with grand plans that ultimately fizzled.
This time appears different. After a competitive bidding process where three firms submitted proposals, Murray’s vision stood out. The UG’s review committee, initially hesitant about earlier versions of the plan, was “astonished” by the final proposal, according to County Administrator David Johnston.
“I think we’ve got the right plan, the right team, and honestly, it’s the right time,” says Murray. “We are delivering on a project in an area that has suffered from decades of disinvestment.”
The team led by Murray is the development firm Eastside Innovation Kansas LLC. Murray partnered with Jonathan Arnold of Arnold Development Group, who helped develop the booming River Market area in Kansas City, MO.
After watching development flourish in western Wyandotte County and working on successful projects just north and south of the former mall site, Murray believes the 90-acre property encompassing the former Indian Springs Mall at the intersection of I-635 and I-70 is primed for revival. His experience developing a business park two miles south and several projects in nearby Riverside has shown him what’s possible.
“As someone from this community, we kind of have this chip on our shoulder,” says Murray. “We’ve been told that we’re less than, or that our community is less than, that’s just [not true]. These things are possible: why not here, why not now?”
Site Transformation Plan
The development, dubbed Midtown Station, will spread across four distinct parcels, each serving different functions in the overall vision:
The main mall site, approximately 50 acres between State Avenue and Orville Avenue, will form the heart of the development. This area will host 1,475 apartment units, 280,000 square feet of retail space, a 168-room hotel with a convention center, and community amenities.
South of Orville Avenue lies 30 acres of previously undermined land. This area, once considered unusable due to structural issues from limestone mining, will become home to the development’s solar microgrid.
“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.”
West of 47th Street, approximately 12 acres will be developed into single-family homes and townhouses, creating a transition zone between the denser development and existing neighborhoods.
A 1.5-acre site at the northeast corner of 47th and State Avenue, formerly a gas station, will become a highway retail zone featuring EV charging stations and amenities for travelers.
Affordable By Design
The development takes a comprehensive approach to affordability that goes beyond traditional rent subsidies. The passive house construction methods, pioneered by project partner Jonathan Arnold, can reduce energy costs by up to 85% compared to conventional buildings.
“We have embedded sustainable design, we have embedded affordability, we have embedded creativity and innovation into every aspect of this project,” says Murray.
In addition to the planned solar microgrid, residents and businesses will benefit from enhanced building insulation and energy-efficient design features that further reduce utility costs.
Insurance costs will also be lower thanks to the resilient construction methods and sustainable design features, creating additional savings for residents.
“Everybody only thinks about the bottom line when they think about affordability, and that’s the rent or the mortgage,” says Murray. “But as we look at it holistically, we can reduce utility costs and we can reduce insurance costs; we think affordable by design is really going to be a huge driver of this project.”
Midtown Station is expected to be a mixed-income neighborhood with luxury penthouses and low-income housing, but the bulk of the housing will focus on what Murray calls the “missing middle.” He says most of the housing is aimed at “teachers, firefighters, healthcare and factory workers,” but the development will appeal to everyone in the area.
“Kansas City, KS, is the second most diverse community in the entire country, and we’re going to pay homage to that in this project,” Murray says. “It’s not going to focus on or cater to any one specific group or any one specific income.”
Community Amenities and Innovation
Midtown Station is designed as a walkable urban village where residents can access everything they need within minutes of their homes. 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.
The development will feature food and beverage offerings, retail spaces, and various community amenities spread throughout its 90 acres. The design emphasizes pedestrian-friendly streets and public gathering spaces where community members can come together.
The project has community health and sustainability in mind with its 15,000-square-foot community greenhouse, capable of producing the equivalent of 400 acres of annual crops. Inspired by successful projects like Omaha’s No More Empty Pots program, the greenhouse will partner with local nonprofit organizations to distribute produce through both traditional farmers market sales and subsidized Community Supported Agriculture boxes for lower-income residents.
“Anytime you build community, community gathering spaces, third spaces, green spaces, community gardens and farmers markets — where the community can really come together and gather — we think are key,” says Murray.
Plans also include spaces for local entrepreneurs and small businesses, entertainment venues, and outdoor recreation areas. The development team is working with community partners to ensure these spaces serve the needs of both residents and the surrounding neighborhood. A 24/7 daycare facility is planned to support workers at nearby employers like the GM plant, particularly those working second and third shifts.
Midtown Station brings in an “innovation hub” modeled after Kansas City’s Keystone Innovation District. The hub, developed in partnership with Keystone’s Kevin McGinnis and Craig Moore, will provide space for entrepreneurs, universities, and corporate partners to collaborate and grow new businesses.
The development will also feature both local and national retailers, though specific tenants are still being determined. The team is working with Crossroads Retail Group to attract businesses that have historically overlooked the area despite its strong traffic counts and central location.
These amenities, combined with the project’s residential and office components, aim to create a vibrant neighborhood that serves as both a destination and a community hub for eastern Wyandotte County.
Transportation Hub
The existing Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) bus transfer center will remain and potentially expand as the development grows. The site currently serves as a hub for both UG Transit and KCATA buses, as well as Greyhound operations and a small bike-share program.
Deasiray Bush, who leads the Unified Government Transportation Dept. says the transit-oriented development 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.
Plans include expanding transit services as the development progresses, with the potential for enhanced connections to major employers like the GM plant. The development team is working with both UG Transit and KCATA to plan for increased service as the site’s density grows.
Timeline and Phasing
Near-Term (2025):
– Final development agreement with the UG is expected by Feb. 2025
– Initial permits and approvals sought in spring 2025
– Construction planned to begin by mid-2025
– EV charging station and retail component targeted for completion before 2026 World Cup
Phase One (Late 2026/Early 2027):
– First residential units
– Initial commercial spaces
– Innovation hub
– First food and beverage offerings
Future Phases (2027-2035):
– Additional residential units
– Hotel and conference center
– Expanded retail and commercial spaces
– Enhanced transit services
The complete build-out could take between six to 12 years, depending on market conditions and financing. Murray says they will work with the UG to fast-track as much of the project as possible to have some amenities ready for the upcoming World Cup but understands this project will take years to complete. The development team has created both an accelerated four-phase plan and a more conservative seven-phase approach to adapt to market conditions if necessary.
For Murray, whose family has deep roots in KCK, the project represents more than just development – it’s about proving what’s possible in eastern Wyandotte County. By combining sustainable design and a comprehensive approach to community development, Midtown Station aims to transform a symbol of decline into a model for inclusive, sustainable urban development.
“As someone who grew up in KCK,” says Murrary, “… it brings me great pride to be in position to deliver on a landmark project that will make our entire community Dotte Proud.”