Smokey Hill Town Center will be a mixed use development offering entertainment, shopping and sporting events located on I-70 in the middle of the state in growing Junction City, Kansas. Because of Junction City’s proximity to I-70 and this development being situated between two I-70 exits, Smoky Hill Town Center will be regional draw serving Manhattan, Abilene, Clay Center and Salina. It is envisioned to include an arena, indoor water park and hotel, a military museum, soccer and softball fields, a movie theater, 17 out parcels for restaurants and hotels, and up to 750,000 square feet of retail.
The arena will be built and owned by the City of Junction City. The city is in negotiations with a hockey team as a tenant for the building. The arena would also be used for many regional activities as well as used by Fort Riley for many events including deployments, parties and events. Currently it is planned to house 4500 seats and include a military museum on the front of the building that would be run by Fort Riley. The museum would be a tourist destination for people traveling I-70 versus the current facility inconveniently located on the base. It would house military history and memorabilia related to Fort Riley of which there is no shortage.
Roaring River is to be a 26 million dollar indoor water park with a hotel and theme restaurant. A private investment group already have plans drawn and financing in place to build the 20 acre development. It will be located adjacent to the arena and next to the retail power center.
The retail element of Smoky Hill Town Center will include a home improvement center, an 8 screen movie theater, a general purpose retailer, an office supply store, pet store, bookstore, electronic store, furniture store, multiple hotels, multiple sit down restaurants and many specialty shops. It is contemplated that this development will generate approximately $100,000,000.00 in retail sales annually. None of the retailers will be relocated within the trade area and will for the most part be new concepts to a market that is currently underserved with retail.
Smoky Hill Town Center can only be developed with the use of STAR bonds. This is due to the site being below the flood plain and literally no infrastructure being on the south side of I-70. The use of STAR bonds would allow this massive 150 plus acre site with over 1.7 miles of highway frontage to be developed. The project meets every requirement for STAR bonds and we feel that this project warrants their use in a market that is much underserved and is being asked to grow at warp speed due to the BRAC realignment.
Proposed S I70 Development
Smokyhill Marketplace Summary
Aerial with Preliminary Site Plan Overlay