What’s next for the fast-growing Delano?

Even with as much growth and development as there already has been in Delano, there’s much more to come.

The biggest blank canvas to be developed is along the river.

The Wind Surge owns 4 acres that it’s going to develop along the west side of the Arkansas River next to its ballpark. The team has an option to buy more land on the east side of the river where a parking lot is just north of the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview.

The team, along with partner EPC Real Estate Group of Overland Park — previously one of the developers of the Delano catalyst site — recently announced its first phase of development adjacent to the ballpark.

The $65 million project includes an eight-story hotel, a six-story office building with an adjoining 200-spot parking structure and riverfront improvements.

An even bigger development is coming north of the ballpark at the current site of the Metropolitan Baptist Church.

Developers George Laham, Dave Wells, Dave Burk and Jerry Jones plan shops, restaurants, apartments, office space, public plazas and a hotel.

Along with a private investment of close to $100 million, there likely will be tens of millions in public subsidies, too.

The developers haven’t announced when they plan to start their project.

Another prominent site that’s awaiting development is billionaire Phil Ruffin’s property at the northwest corner of Douglas and McLean — the unofficial entrance to Delano.

Ruffin already redeveloped the 13,000-square-foot former Davis Furniture space just down Douglas for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

“That’s working beautifully,” he said.

He’s taking a wait-and-see approach with his other property, though.

“You have to be a little bit careful about Delano,” Ruffin said. “If you build new, you know, you’re going to have to get 20, 25 dollars a square foot . . . and I don’t know how well that would go in Delano.”

Ruffin knows what he won’t do with the land, and that’s sell it.

“I don’t like to sell ground.”

Since Ruffin’s property is at a critical spot in Delano, a number of people in the area are eager to see what he does, and Ruffin agreed it likely needs to be something special.

“Probably so,” he said. “Something will come along.”

Another area to keep an eye on is on Douglas west of Seneca.

Currently, the main business drag of Delano extends on Douglas from McLean to Seneca.

Will Hayes of the Hayes Co. already has purchased and leveled three properties west of Seneca — a house, a car lot and the former Egg Roll King building — in preparation for one day developing something else there.

“I just think Delano’s got some room to go further west,” he said “The vibe is there.”

Hayes said he’s keeping an eye out for other properties on that side of Seneca, too, but he’s in no hurry to do much beyond buying right now.

“We’re going to see what the market wants us to do.”