McKinley Lot in Development Limbo

A vacant lot in Clay Center is in limbo as the owner waits to hear from KDOT about its future. At 730 Blunt St. in Clay Center, next to apartments in the former McKinley Middle School, grass and basketball courts sit, just as they have for decades. The lot was purchased by Brendan Pfizenmaier earlier this year, according to city records. A developer, Colby 2023, LLC, which is owned by Tyler Oliver out of Leawood, KS, according to state records, approached the Clay Center Zoning Committee about putting in a commercial business at the location, possibly a Dollar General. However, they said at the meeting they did not want to move forward with a Dollar General location unless the Kansas Department of Transportation approved a driveway, AKA curb cuts, that go directly to/from Highway 24. Butted against the highway on its south side, the curb cut access would allow future shoppers to get directly to/from the store from the highway.

However, as the cuts do not currently exist, it requires approval from KDOT before they can be added, said Clay Center City Councilman, Phil Kasper. At last week’s City Council meeting, it was noted that Pfizenmaier, on behalf of Colby 2023, put in a request to KDOT, but has yet to hear back about the request. According to Kasper KDOT, hasn’t yet talked to the city of Clay Center about these curb cuts and the discussion is still in the early stages.

The next council meeting is set for the first Tuesday of June.

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