That prospect gained credence on Sept. 12, when the Blue Springs Planning Commission unanimously approved a retail complex that eventually could approach 1 million square feet of stores, restaurants and other tenants.

This size nears that of Independence Center, No. 4 on the Kansas city Business Journal's list of the Top 25 area shopping centers and the largest in Eastern Jackson County.

The new mall is described as incorporating elements of a regional power center populated by big-box stores with a pedestrian-friendly lifestyle enter. It is expected to go to the Blue Springs City Council on Oct. 3.

'This project addresses what has been a pent-up demand in Blue Springs to have retail choices (like those) available in Lee's Summit and Independence,' said Brien Starner, the city's economic development director.

The 123-acre project, southeast of Interstate 70 and Adams Dairy Parkway, could open its first phase by the end of 2007.

The phase, valued at $97 million, would receive $12 million in reimbursements from tax increment financing. TIF, which diverts new taxes to offset developers' cost of construction that generates public benefits, also would cover $17 million of off-site road improvements.

First National Ltd. of Chicago, the developer, would finance the 58-acre phase's remaining $85 million, said Bill Moore, a lawyer with King Hershey in Kansas City who's representing the company.

First National, whose Web site lists projects including the Wilshire Plaza shopping center in Kansas City, North, also has developed retail property in Lawrence and six other states.

Construction in Blue Springs could begin in 2006 and take about 18 months to finish the first phase, Moore said.

The center would be populated by 'national tenants that are not located in Blue Springs,' he said, adding that it's too soon to provide more specific details.

Starner said he expects two big-box anchors and about 14 restaurants. He said these additions would complement a Home Depot store and Wal-Mart Supercenter that have opened in Blue Springs.

But Starner said the new mall could hobble Blue Springs' existing retail vacancies - for instance around Missouri Highway 7 and U.S. Highway 40.

'This community is conflicted about what you do with greenfields versus redevelopment,' he said.

Starner said he hoped to chart 'a parallel path' that would support the new center while also helping find new users for older space, such as the White Oak Shopping Center, which once housed a Wal-Mart.

Population and buying power growth within a five-mile radius of theAdams Dairy Parkway site is expected to slow, according to Sites USA, a demographic information compiler in Arizona.

But the median household income of more that 24,000 households in the area is projected to exceed $68,000 in 2009.

Dan Bourk, a retail broker with Grubb & Ellis/The Winbury Group, said Interstate 70 access to Adams Dairy Parkway has improved not only within Blue Springs but also from smaller, outlying communities to the east.

'The infrastructure is there for a great retail draw,' Bourk said. 'The bigger boxes want to be near the freeway because it's drawing from a larger trade area.'