The Overland Park City Council has unanimously approved LANE4 Property Group’s final plan for redevelopment of the corner of 95th Street and Metcalf Avenue. The green light clears the way for the developer to apply for permits before starting demolition and site work.
The $80 million project is less ambitious than an earlier proposal worth several hundred million that called for a more urban style and help from city funds. That plan included residential units, outdoor gathering areas and walking trails.
The new project involves pulling down the fifty-year-old Metcalf South shopping center. Councilman Curt Skoog said demolishing the empty mall is key to redeveloping the whole Metcalf corridor.
Skoog said the approved plan will have a Lowe's store and other familiar chain retailers, but it’s not a traditional suburban development.
“The street network is going to be established," he explained. "So we’re going to have streets and sidewalks but the uses are going to be a combination of suburban as well as some more modern restaurants and other future uses that won’t have a complete suburban feel.”
Skoog added that this redevelopment plan is what the marketplace can support. Demolition of the old mall is expected to start in late winter.
Daniel Wood is a freelancer for KCUR 89.3.
