Curtis Oroke, who’s built houses in both Stone Creek and South Park in Tonganoxie, recently has turned his attention to working in Prairie Gardens, which is north of U.S. Highway 24-40 on 158th Street.

And Oroke is betting on the viability of commercial development.

He’s involved in a proposed development at the southwest corner of 166th and 24-40 highway. And it’s possible the development could include a car dealership and a lumber yard.

“We’re trying to break ground, probably in November,” Oroke said. “I don’t know how sure the car dealership is. The lumber yard is about 80 percent. We’ve got five or six contracts already in there — a restaurant and gas station.”

The commercial center will encompass about 20 acres. To the south, the developer will construct single-family homes. And he’s hoping to construct homes that will target people 55 and older.

“We’re planning for a lot to happen,” Oroke said. “We’ve had a lot of interest in the commercial.”