Altoona's Large Retail, Lifestyle Center Forging Ahead

The large retail and commercial development in Altoona, called Prairie Crossing, has expanded even before construction on the project has started in earnest. Developer Heart of America Group from the Quad Cities said the project, which is adjacent to Bass Pro Shops and visible from Interstate 80, has grown into a 230-acre development with planned residential, retail and commercial components. Prairie Crossing has been in the works for several years and is the brainchild of Heart of America’s Mike Whalen. So far, a Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse — an HOA property — has opened in Prairie Crossing. Separate developers recently have begun construction on a 325,000-square-foot open-air outlet mall on 34 acres in the heart of the property.

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