KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A local company hopes to build a sports complex in south Kansas City along Bannister Road.
If you drive down Bannister Road, it looks like an abandoned part of town.
"What happened to the mall and the activity that was here,” said Deborah Page.
If you’ve driven down Bannister Road in South Kansas City...you’ve seen the parade of abandoned buildings. Tonight I’ll have a story on a proposal to build a sports complex to bring more people to the area. @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/xzjGW1lhtk
— Steven Dial (@StevenDialTV) October 23, 2018
Bannister Road was once a thriving area, with a mall, movie theater and businesses.
"It use to be a vibrant community,” said Donna Randolph.
Elite Sports wants to bring that back. There is a plan to put multiple volleyball courts, soccer fields and batting cages at the site of an old grocery store near I-435 and Bannister Road.
"We need more of these facilities all over, quite frankly and there is definitely a need for it here,” said Councilman Scott Taylor.
Taylor represents the south KC area. He said Elite Sports could start a chain reaction of business.
Imagine something like this on Bannister Rd in Kansas City. This is one of Elite Sports buildings in Olathe. They plan to open one in South KC. It’s purpose is to keep parents here, they have a bar, work rooms and courts. @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/APeGdRchud
— Steven Dial (@StevenDialTV) October 23, 2018
"Our hope is a development like this, which will be great for the kids, more restaurants will come, possibly a hotel in the future, either here or across the highway,” said Taylor.
Others agree with Taylor.
"It could bring a lot more commercial things, banks, stores, everything out here is lacking, since Bannister Mall left,” said Page.
The proposal to rezone the property goes before a city council committee Wednesday morning.
