Shawnee approves extension for Westbrook redevelopment; developer outlines grocery anchor timeline

The Shawnee City Council on Jan. 26 approved an extension to the redevelopment agreement for the Westbrook North shopping center, a project city staff and the developer said will add a neighborhood grocery and several new tenants.

City staff introduced the item as a request for additional time to meet a grocery-store milestone that originally had a January 2026 target; staff told the council "we're here tonight to request a 6 month extension" to the agreement. Paul Costello of Westbrook Partners, the project's developer, told the council the site has seen substantial recent progress, including repaved parking, repaired detention features and interior work at the grocery anchor.

"We're putting the floors in, right now as we speak," Costello said, describing interior plumbing, HVAC and concrete work already completed. He outlined a schedule in which equipment such as freezers and cooler structures would begin arriving early in spring, compressors in April and an occupancy-permit target of June 1; he also said the extension would allow the project to "drive this thing home." Costello said the development includes a 15-year lease for the grocery with two 10-year options and projected roughly $40,000,000 in annual retail sales once the center is operating.

Council members and neighbors asked for clarifications on tenant identity and timing. When a resident asked whether the grocery would open under a previously reported banner, Costello replied that the article was incorrect and that the anchor will be a "Fresh Market" style store with a localized Shawnee name. Costello also said Mi Pablito (an existing tenant) would not renew as the grocery operator but that a separate Mexican restaurant operator is expected to occupy space in the center.

The council moved, seconded and approved the extension request by voice vote. The public record in the transcript records vocal "Aye" votes and a successful motion, but does not provide a roll-call tally or a named vote count.

Why this matters: Council and staff framed the extension as a way to preserve momentum on a long-stalled commercial corner and to secure an anchor tenant that officials say will support surrounding businesses and increase walkable retail for nearby multifamily residents. Costello described job creation and local retail activity as the principal benefits.

What's next: The extension was approved at the meeting; staff and the developer will continue construction toward equipment installation and occupancy permitting as described. The project's precise opening date and any additional conditions attached to the extension were not specified in the meeting record.

(Attributions: Quotes and project details are from Paul Costello, Westbrook Partners, and from city staff remarks included in the Jan. 26 meeting transcript.)