Council approves final plat for shopping center

By Miranda Wycoff
The Journal Staff
The Blue Springs City Council unanimously approved the final plat for the Southridge Shopping Center on Monday. The shopping center will be located at the southwest corner of M-7 and S.W. Meadowridge Drive. The 5.57-acre shopping center broke ground on Feb. 8 and, according to city information, construction has already begun. According to city information, the parcel of land is required to be platted before the applicant, Royal Investment Group, can obtain the building permits for the shopping center. The Council's approval of the final plat is contingent upon several conditions recommended by the city staff. These include the completion of the construction of the water line before building permits are issued, the sidewalk to be installed before the issuance of an occupancy permit and the approval of a Master Sign Plan by the Planning Commission before the placement of any signage on the property, according to city information. According to city documents, the building will feature clear windows on all tenant spaces intermixed with a brick applique and stucco wall and column finishes. Council also heard a presentation on approving the engineering and design services for the Sni-A-Bar Wastewater Treatment Plan upgrade and expansion to E.T. Archer Corporation. In addition, the Council approved a resolution awarding a contract for ditch repair at Hidden Valley Park and a resolution approving the Tax Increment Financing Costs Certification Services in their consent agenda. According to city information, the TIF Costs Certification Services would authorize the city administrator to enter into an agreement with Conchern, Head, Vick and Co., P.C. for the services. According to city information, TIF-reimbursable project costs must be certified by the city to ensure the expenditures meet the criteria for being reimbursable under the state TIF statutes. Once project costs are certified, any available TIF revenues may be reimbursed to the developer or, in the case of a bond issue, bond proceeds would be used to reimburse the developer. The city currently has three TIF plans that have started or will be submitting costs for certification in the near future. The Copperleaf Village TIF, M-7 and 40 Hwy. TIF, and Adams Farm TIF, according to city information.