Mission’s City Council has voted to reject the latest plan for the Mission Gateway Project.In a 6-2 vote, leaders decided not to approve the long-discussed plan for the site along Shawnee Mission Parkway and Roeland Drive. The decision surprised many of the people who came to the meeting to find out what happened."I'm surprised that they voted the way they did," said developer Tom Valenti. "I am disappointed. More than disappointed. I don't think they did the right thing."The last detailed incentive plan sought $37 million of city money, which would have increased Mission’s debt capacity to 67 percent.The land has stood vacant since Mission Mall was closed and torn down.Developers proposed a $167 million mixed-use plan that included a hotel, office space, housing, a Walmart store, and other retailers.Critics questioned the need for the Walmart store since one already exists a few blocks to the north in Roeland Park. The Walmart store also would have been the largest retail store in Mission and the proposal called for housing above it.""I think it's a bad bad bad idea for Mission. It's not what anyone wants," said Charlene Epp, who lives in the area. "There's no way to make it upscale. Nobody is going to want to live above Walmart. It's a ridiculous idea."Other plans for the site have been proposed over the years, including an aquarium.

Mission’s City Council has voted to reject the latest plan for the Mission Gateway Project.



In a 6-2 vote, leaders decided not to approve the long-discussed plan for the site along Shawnee Mission Parkway and Roeland Drive. The decision surprised many of the people who came to the meeting to find out what happened.




"I'm surprised that they voted the way they did," said developer Tom Valenti. "I am disappointed. More than disappointed. I don't think they did the right thing."

The last detailed incentive plan sought $37 million of city money, which would have increased Mission’s debt capacity to 67 percent.



The land has stood vacant since Mission Mall was closed and torn down.



Developers proposed a $167 million mixed-use plan that included a hotel, office space, housing, a Walmart store, and other retailers.



Critics questioned the need for the Walmart store since one already exists a few blocks to the north in Roeland Park. The Walmart store also would have been the largest retail store in Mission and the proposal called for housing above it.



""I think it's a bad bad bad idea for Mission. It's not what anyone wants," said Charlene Epp, who lives in the area. "There's no way to make it upscale. Nobody is going to want to live above Walmart. It's a ridiculous idea."

Other plans for the site have been proposed over the years, including an aquarium.