At the start of 2025, the Johnson County Post is looking ahead to some of the major development projects that we are keeping an eye on this year, including those that have already begun work or are anticipated to start in the next 12 months. This story focuses on projects in Shawnee.
As the City of Shawnee continues to grow and transform, it’s seeing new projects develop and older properties get upgrades.
Here are some of the projects we’re watching out for in 2025.
Westbrooke Green — 75th Street and Quivira Road
In decay for years, the Westbrooke Green Shopping Center finally got some movement in 2024 when the Shawnee City Council approved a resolution and restated redevelopment agreement for the derelict strip mall at 75th Street and Quivira Road.
The new agreement puts the project in the hands of a new Kansas City, Missouri-based developer called Westbrooke Partners LLC.
Similar to the original agreement, the revamped project will include a grocery store as its main tenant, as well as improvements to the shopping center’s facade and signage, resurfacing of the parking lot, repairing sidewalks and rehabilitating landscaping.
There is no timeline for when the project will be completed.
Merigold Plaza — downtown
Another long-in-the-works project, the Merigold Plaza is up for a new look in the near future.
In August 2024, developers revealed new details and conceptual renderings for planned renovations to the aging strip in downtown Shawnee. The Shawnee City Council later approved final site plans for the project.
Located at 5919 Nieman Road, the site will undergo significant changes, including four new restaurant spaces and one retail space in the northern part of the plaza. Meanwhile, the existing Merigold Wine and Spirits store will move to the southern part of the property, and an alley and a 30-foot outdoor patio will be added.
The property is under construction.
The old Wonderscope building — 5700 King St.
This year was not a year of movement for the old Wonderscope building, which has been vacant since 2020.
While a real estate panel in November 2023 discussed viable options for the space, such as a boutique hotel and brownstone apartments, no plans have been submitted to Shawnee’s governing body for consideration.
Harmony at Clear Creek — Silverheel Street and Kansas Highway 7
A rental project of single-family homes and townhomes along Silverheel Street near Kansas Highway 7 is even closer to a reality.
In March 2024, the Shawnee City Council approved a final plat for the 40-acre project, which includes 188 residential units, including 97 single-family homes as well as 91 townhome units across 20 buildings.
While the developer has submitted plans for the project, they’re still awaiting approval by Shawnee’s governing body, said Doug Donahoo, the city’s communications director.
Hidden Creek Reserve Townhomes — Hedge Lane Terrace
This planned 13-acre, multifamily residential project, located just west of K-7 Highway near the Chapel Creek subdivision and Shawnee Golf & Country Club, is facing delays.
While work began on the project, interest rates continue to put it on hold and a date for work resuming is not set as of right now, Donahoo said.
The project includes 60 residential units in 16 attached townhome-style buildings.
Bristol Highlands North Expansion — 7800 Monticello Road
The Bristol Highlands subdivision will be seeing more homes added to it in the coming years.
In June 2024, the Shawnee City Council approved an ordinance to rezone 5.7 acres of land in the the Bristol Highlands North neighborhood to create another single-family residential subdivision.
The subdivision is being added to Bristol Highlands North because it’s the only available access point.
The proposed development will add six more single-family lots, one common tract of land, a public street, and other infrastructure to support the subdivision.
The project is moving “full speed ahead,” Donahoo said. Two plats on the west part of the overall development are nearing completion of the permit process and can start pulling building permits soon. The Bristol Highland East portion of the project is dependent on completion of 80th Street connection to Woodland Drive.
