Formal approval of an access road into Emporia’s new travel plaza is still pending through the Kansas Department of Transportation, but Brown Stone Development 3 has been quite active in setting the foundation for that new development.
Owner John Brown tells KVOE News the travel plaza has been accounted for, with up to seven more tenants involving the RV park and food court nearing agreements. Lot sales for motels and multi-family housing will follow. Tenants will not be divulged now, but Brown expects a batch of tenant announcements by early November.
Brown also says curb and gutter for the new access road could take place in mid- to late October. He says most of the better than 30-acre development, which is on the south side of US Highway 50 just west of Graphic Arts, is pad-ready for construction.
Brown Stone 3 announced the plan for this development early last year, with national restaurants, hotels, the RV park and other retail aspects included. Initial plans called for about a $35 million to $40 million development that could create at least 100 jobs.
Meanwhile, tenant announcements are pending at the Emporia Pavilions as well.
Dirt work has been underway for several weeks on the east half of the development near 24th and Industrial with Marshall’s Ross Dress for Less and Shoe Show confirmed — perhaps opening for retail by early fall next year. Developer Spencer Thomson has said several other stores could be announced before the end of the year.
