Council designates Griffin Riley to develop 23-acre Adams Dairy Parkway site; developer seeks incentives for mixed-use project

The Blue Springs City Council voted March 3 to designate Griffin Riley Property Group as the preferred developer for the city-owned 23–24-acre parcel on Adams Dairy Parkway south of St. Luke’s, and authorized city staff to negotiate a funding agreement and a development, performance and sale agreement.

City staff described the property’s history: purchased between 2000 and 2012 for the Missouri Innovation Park, the site was later declared surplus (ordinance 5262, Oct. 2023) and re-solicited in July 2024 with a minimum sale price of $2,170,000 based on a recent appraisal. The RFP went to more than 50 developers; staff said the review team met both respondents and that Griffin Riley received the highest score from an eight-member review panel including council members and city administration.

Representatives of Griffin Riley Property Group presented a mixed-use plan that would place retail and office/flex buildings along Adams Dairy Parkway and six apartment buildings behind those storefronts. Griffin Riley representatives described the residential portion as roughly 322 apartment units across six four‑story buildings with tuck‑under garages and a centralized, high-amenity clubhouse; the retail/office component totals about 24,000 square feet across two buildings. The company described the residential product as “class A plus” luxury apartments and said it would feature enclosed hallways, elevator access and a centralized clubhouse with workspaces and conference rooms.

Company estimates presented to the council included a projected $9.3 million property‑tax impact across 25 years (roughly $8 million from residential and $1.275 million from retail/office), and an estimated $12.67 million in sales tax generation across 25 years. Griffin Riley cited a National Association of Home Builders figure estimating roughly $37 million in total economic impact during construction and said the project would produce an estimated 518 construction‑period jobs and about 142 ongoing direct and indirect jobs when stabilized. The firm proposed public assistance tools it said would be necessary to deliver the “class A plus” product: a Chapter 100 sales‑tax exemption on construction materials, PILOT payments for residential with biannual increases, the same Chapter 100 rate for retail/office, and a 1% community improvement district (CID).

On unit mix and timeline, the developer said the product would emphasize studios and one‑bedroom units (roughly 60% of units), about 30% two‑bedroom units and roughly 10% three‑bedroom units; anticipated construction timing for the project varied in discussion, with Griffin Riley initially citing an 18–24 month vertical construction window and the firm’s vice president, Jake Loveless, later saying current projects are more likely to take 24–32 months once extensive site work is included.

Council members asked about phasing, tenant attraction and unit mix. The developer said retail typically follows leased rooftops and described a build‑to‑suit approach as preferred for high‑quality restaurants and office tenants; speculative space could be provided as needed. The team said management would be contracted to an experienced third‑party operator with on‑site staff in the clubhouse.

After discussion, a council member moved to adopt Resolution No. 14‑2025 designating Griffin Riley Property Group as the developer and authorizing staff to proceed with negotiations; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Why it matters: The designation begins a negotiation period that could lead to a sale and a multi‑phase mixed‑use development that the developer says will add housing, retail options and tax revenue to Blue Springs. The plan, as presented, would introduce a higher‑end multifamily product not currently common in the city and requests public incentives that will require later council review and approval.

Next steps: Staff will negotiate the funding agreement and development/performance and sale agreement and return those documents to council for approval. The presentation materials and the RFP review results will be part of the follow‑up packet when the council considers formal incentive or sale documents.