Commercial interest in the turnpike area hasn’t died down yet.
On Tuesday, the Emporia-Lyon County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission will be asked to rezone more than 30 acres at Graphic Arts Road and West U.S. Highway 50 from industrial to commercial. The piece of land is owned by Thomas Transfer & Storage.
“We’ve had that land for over 20 years and we have not had one industrial prospect,” said Kenneth Thomas, owner of the company. “It’s commercial property, there’s no doubt about it. It could be anything from big box to small box.”
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the city conference room of the Civic Auditorium, 521 Market St.
Thomas’ son K.B. Thomas Jr. has frequently spoken at public meetings about the commercial potential to be had near the turnpike.
Earlier this year, the Thomas family settled with the Kansas Turnpike Authority, allowing 2.16 acres of their land in the area to be used for turnpike improvements. In addition to a cash settlement, the family was guaranteed access to a roundabout.
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