Follows News of Early Opening of Cosmosphere Site at Bluhawk
On the heels of last week’s exciting news by the Hutchinson, KS based Cosmosphere Innovation Space, Douglas M. Price, partner of Bluhawk Sports Park, announced today that the development has passed another significant milestone in its pursuit for STAR Bonds as the project takes positive steps toward state and city approval.
“We still have work ahead to gain final approval by the Overland Park City Council on December 17,” said Price. “The tremendous development we have been creating since 2005 will have meaningful economic impact for the entire region, in particular the great state of Kansas.”
Bluhawk Sports Park is a 300,000 square-foot indoor multi-sport complex and will be home to local, regional and national sports competitions, as well as recreational sports teams and tournaments. The Sports Park will feature an ice rink, curling lanes, courts for basketball and volleyball, indoor golf, a regulation size turf field for soccer, football, futsal, lacrosse, rugby, baseball, softball, as well as a regulation sheet of ice intended for amateur hockey.
“In addition to the new, state-of-the-art facilities, we are equally excited about all of the developmental programs and opportunities that coincide with the facilities themselves,” said Stuart Stram, VP of Business Development for Price Brothers. “Having played competitive sports throughout my life, I believe the importance of learning early lessons in teamwork, sportsmanship and self-confidence are one of the biggest intangible assets Bluhawk Sports Park will provide the youth of our community.” All sports from developmental to club and premier will be represented and traveling teams will promote the Bluhawk brand across the region.
Bluhawk and its sports partner, Roughrider Sports Club based in Colorado, are currently designing the sports facility with the plan to break ground in Spring 2019 and open in the Fall of 2020 to accommodate a top-tier hockey franchise.
Approval Milestones
The Overland Park City Council directed staff to forward the STAR Bond Project Plan to the Planning Commission for consideration and prepare a resolution, and for City Council, to schedule a public hearing to consider adoption of the project plan:
STAR Bond Anticipated Approval Calendar
October 29, 2018: Planning Commission Meeting
November 5, 2018: City Council Meeting
December 17, 2018: City Council Meeting
Sports/Arena Plan Anticipated Approval Calendar
November 12, 2018: Planning Commission Meeting
December 3, 2018: City Council Meeting
Project Area 1
- 59.2 acres
- 300,000-square-foot indoor multi-sport complex
- 3,500-seat, 120,000-square-foot civic and community center/arena
- 133,500-square-foot existing grocery-anchored neighborhood shopping center
- 70,000 square feet of new restaurant and retail
- 99-room hotel
Project Area 2
- 32.7 acres
- 40,000-square-foot Cosmosphere Innovation Space
- 316,900 square feet of outlet retail and restaurant offerings
- 100-room hotel above retail
- 150-room hotel above retail
- 80,000 square feet of Class A office above retail
- 800-stall parking structure
Project Area 3
- 14.2 acres
- 34,000 square feet of mixed-use retail and restaurant
- Multi-family residential
Bluhawk has also experienced significant success with its existing merchants and progress on leasing efforts for the first phase of the project. Bluhawk Marketplace is steadily leasing and will be 100 percent occupied by Summer 2019. Another 120,000 square feet of retail and hotel space are in the entitlement phase. Also, Shawnee Mission Health Hospital, Primrose Montessori early childhood school, and over 1,000 nearby homes under construction round out the current development.
