The Buchanan County Commission is in discussions with an out-of-state developer to market 15 acres near the Shoppes at North Village.

The new retail development will be just northwest of the Interstate 29 and North U.S. Highway 169 intersection.

The county will sell the land to the developer, and use that money to lay road, utilities and sewer lines to the land. Unlike past projects at the Shoppes, the development will not involve tax increment financing.

Eastern District Commissioner Dan Hausman said he expects five or fewer businesses within the new development.

“It could be one big gigantic store or a strip mall,” he said. “It’ll depend on whether they’re small boutiques or major box stores.”

The developer approached commissioners earlier this year because they had a client wanting to move into the area. The county has not named the developer because of sensitivity over the deal.

The Shoppes’ previous agreement stipulates no fast-food restaurants can be constructed on the land.

Mr. Hausman said the county also told the developer it will not accept a discount price on the property.

“It’s market value or nothing. There’s no negotiation at this point,” he said.

The 15 acres sits just north of Village Drive, near Jack Horner Machinery & Contractor Supplies Inc.

Horner salesman Jeff Cluck has heard talk of a new gas station or hotel on the property — but is skeptical it will happen.

“We heard the same thing across the street, but nothing happened there,” Mr. Cluck said, referring to Tuscany Village that the city of St. Joseph approved for TIF funds nearly three years, but hasn’t been developed.

At Target, the first store to open at the Shoppes in 2005, foot traffic is up — and store management welcomes more development.

“It’ll hopefully draw more people in to divert them from going to K.C.” said Karla Tait, executive team leader at Target.

Melissa Frakes, general manager at Borders Books, Music, Movies & Cafe, said new retailers wouldn’t move-in without first assessing their feasibility in the area.

“Some people think we didn’t have enough to support this, and we (Borders) don’t have any problems,” Ms. Frakes said.

Commissioners said the area remains ripe for development, including about 68 acres remaining for a possible business or commercial park.

Another 43 acres is being proposed for the Buchanan County Agri-Business Expo Center. And another 24 acres could be used for a walkway or parkway to buffer the area from homes north in Andrew County.

Mr. Hausman envisions a large corporation whose employees frequent the nearby stores and restaurants at the Shoppes.

“My vision is to put some corporation with 1,000, 2,000 employees,” he said. “I personally would love some corporation to come in like American Family (Insurance).”

Ahmad Safi can be reached at ahmadsafi@npgco.com.