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City Shows New Vision for Metcalf
By: Chris Rodgers, Staff writer
Road construction, redevelopment and maintenance projects abound in Overland Park, Mayor Carl Gerlach said during his 2007 State of the City speech Feb. 28 at the Overland Park Convention Center.
As the city prepares for a 16-month study of Metcalf Avenue from Interstate 35 to 123rd Street, developers prepare to redevelop Metcalf South Shopping Center, 95th Street and Metcalf Avenue.
“Forty years ago, Metcalf South, the first enclosed shopping mall in Johnson County and the entire metro area, opened,” Gerlach told the audience of about 560. “In 1967, a newspaper article said Metcalf South was the new Main Street, where people gather to ‘relax, meet and have fun.’
“We’ve received a proposal that would again make Metcalf South a destination, but with a new twist. In addition to retail, there may be residential and office units.”
Gerlach said the city’s Metcalf study has been named Vision Metcalf.
A. Nelessen Associates will conduct the 16-month study of this 8-mile stretch. The study will include six sessions in May where citizens are invited to offer input.
“We want the community to provide the vision of how Metcalf should look in 10, 20 and even 30 years,” Gerlach said.
He offered possibilities: small villages; attractions for children and young adults; public transportation, including a trolley; expanding bike/hike paths; and a more urban appearance that is up to date and pedestrian-oriented.
“These are just a few early ideas, but we want it to be designed by you,” Gerlach said.
He invited citizens to go to the city’s Web site n www.opkansas.org n to sign up for a newsletter and updates on the project and to register for one of the Vision Metcalf sessions.
Gerlach said other redevelopment are in the works, including the Cherokee South Shopping Center at 95th Street and Antioch Road, and the Market Lofts proposal for downtown, which would consist of a four-story, mixed-use building with about 30 condominium lofts and retail businesses.
“It’s a fresh concept that may propel the downtown business district onto a new path,” Gerlach said.
Downtown is home to the 80,000-square-foot community center under construction at 80th and Marty streets.
“It will be extremely popular, and I predict will result in even more visitors coming to downtown,” Gerlach said.
He listed features of the center, including a gymnasium, a walking and running track, meeting rooms and a basketball court. Aquatic features include an 18-foot water slide, the Lazy River, a lap pool, a zero-depth entry main pool, a therapy pool and an underwater treadmill.
“Opening is set for later this year,” Gerlach said. “Maintain your New Year’s resolution and become a member.”
ROAD WORK
The final phase to widen Metcalf from four to six lanes from 91st to 103rd streets will start in late spring or early summer, Gerlach said.
A “flyover” ramp connecting southbound U.S. Highway 69 with eastbound Interstate 435 will open in 2008. The east ramps at I-435 and Antioch Road opened in December, and the west ramps will open next year.
“This is all part of a $127 million project that includes 17 bridges, an additional lane for 435 in each direction from Metcalf to 69, and sound walls,” Gerlach said. “Residents for years have told us in citywide surveys that traffic management was their top priority.”
He mentioned other current projects including widening 143rd Street from Metcalf to Antioch; Nall Avenue, from 143rd to 159th, a joint project with Leawood; and the 132nd Street overpass over U.S. 69. The Public Works Department is designing an interchange at 159th and U.S. 69 that includes the widening of 159th from Antioch to Metcalf to four lanes.
Construction will also begin next year to widen Antioch to a four-lane divided thoroughfare in front of Blue Valley West High School. The two-mile project should be completed in 2009.
SOCCER
“After last November’s soccer vote, we realized there was still a need for more soccer fields for our children,” Gerlach said. “Plans are under way to construct 12 full-size soccer fields with lights.”
The soccer facility will be at 135th Street and Switzer Road, just north of the Deanna Rose Farmstead.
“This facility will be special because all the fields are planned to have synthetic turf,” Gerlach said. “As far as we know, there is no other complex in the metro area, or even the Midwest, and maybe the nation, where 12 fields with synthetic turf are all located at one site.”
The turf will allow full-time use, seven days a week and play can resume minutes after a heavy rain instead of canceling a tournament because of muddy fields, he said.
Gerlach said the facility will be available for recreational or competitive teams, with plans to attract regional and possibly national tournaments.
Funding will come from the transient guest tax, paid by guests in Overland Park hotels, and from user fees and special parks funds.
“Preliminary data from our consultants indicates we could host seven regional tournaments and one national tournament a year, bringing in excess of 150,000 visitor days,” Gerlach said. “Those visitors would stay at Overland Park hotels, eat in our restaurants, shop, and spend money. Direct annual spending in Overland Park may exceed $15 million.”
JOB GROWTH
Gerlach said employers added more than 2,000 jobs in the city last year.
“The average annual salary for those jobs is over $67,000. This is on top of 2,600 jobs added in 2005,” he said. “That is more than 4,500 jobs in two years, and $180 million in capital investment.”
Major employers moving to or expanding in Overland Park in 2006 include Quintiles, Prescription Solutions and APlus.Net, which moved from San Diego to Corporate Woods.
Black and Veatch added nearly 600 employees last year, Gerlach said, and the international firm expects near double-digit growth this year.
NOTABLE
“In 2006, we were rated the sixth-best city in the nation to live by CNN’s Money Magazine,” Gerlach said.
Other honors: the No. 1 kid-friendly city in the nation; one of the best cities to conduct business; one of the best places to live and work; the second-smartest city in the nation; and one of the top 10 cities for women.
Gerlach mentioned the proposed entertainment district on the southwest corner of Nall Avenue and College Boulevard, a collaborative effort of Overland Park and Sprint Nextel.
“I expect Sprint Nextel and the city to soon announce the hiring of consultants to help us find a master developer with a special vision to create and bring us ideas for this world-class development,” he said.
“As I stand before you today, I can say that Overland Park will continue to provide basic services for the community, including fire, police, streets, parks and more; do what is responsible by strengthening our economic vitality and continue to be a core business leader in the metro area and the state of Kansas; and be proactive so that 20 years from now, our children will know we did all the right things in 2007.
“Whether it is new projects like Downtown Overland Park, Metcalf South or Vision Metcalf, I expect the future to hold great and exciting opportunities.
“I envision an Overland Park that is cutting edge, setting the pace for cities throughout the region.”
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As the city prepares for a 16-month study of Metcalf Avenue from Interstate 35 to 123rd Street, developers prepare to redevelop Metcalf South Shopping Center, 95th Street and Metcalf Avenue.
“Forty years ago, Metcalf South, the first enclosed shopping mall in Johnson County and the entire metro area, opened,” Gerlach told the audience of about 560. “In 1967, a newspaper article said Metcalf South was the new Main Street, where people gather to ‘relax, meet and have fun.’
“We’ve received a proposal that would again make Metcalf South a destination, but with a new twist. In addition to retail, there may be residential and office units.”
Gerlach said the city’s Metcalf study has been named Vision Metcalf.
A. Nelessen Associates will conduct the 16-month study of this 8-mile stretch. The study will include six sessions in May where citizens are invited to offer input.
“We want the community to provide the vision of how Metcalf should look in 10, 20 and even 30 years,” Gerlach said.
He offered possibilities: small villages; attractions for children and young adults; public transportation, including a trolley; expanding bike/hike paths; and a more urban appearance that is up to date and pedestrian-oriented.
“These are just a few early ideas, but we want it to be designed by you,” Gerlach said.
He invited citizens to go to the city’s Web site n www.opkansas.org n to sign up for a newsletter and updates on the project and to register for one of the Vision Metcalf sessions.
Gerlach said other redevelopment are in the works, including the Cherokee South Shopping Center at 95th Street and Antioch Road, and the Market Lofts proposal for downtown, which would consist of a four-story, mixed-use building with about 30 condominium lofts and retail businesses.
“It’s a fresh concept that may propel the downtown business district onto a new path,” Gerlach said.
Downtown is home to the 80,000-square-foot community center under construction at 80th and Marty streets.
“It will be extremely popular, and I predict will result in even more visitors coming to downtown,” Gerlach said.
He listed features of the center, including a gymnasium, a walking and running track, meeting rooms and a basketball court. Aquatic features include an 18-foot water slide, the Lazy River, a lap pool, a zero-depth entry main pool, a therapy pool and an underwater treadmill.
“Opening is set for later this year,” Gerlach said. “Maintain your New Year’s resolution and become a member.”
ROAD WORK
The final phase to widen Metcalf from four to six lanes from 91st to 103rd streets will start in late spring or early summer, Gerlach said.
A “flyover” ramp connecting southbound U.S. Highway 69 with eastbound Interstate 435 will open in 2008. The east ramps at I-435 and Antioch Road opened in December, and the west ramps will open next year.
“This is all part of a $127 million project that includes 17 bridges, an additional lane for 435 in each direction from Metcalf to 69, and sound walls,” Gerlach said. “Residents for years have told us in citywide surveys that traffic management was their top priority.”
He mentioned other current projects including widening 143rd Street from Metcalf to Antioch; Nall Avenue, from 143rd to 159th, a joint project with Leawood; and the 132nd Street overpass over U.S. 69. The Public Works Department is designing an interchange at 159th and U.S. 69 that includes the widening of 159th from Antioch to Metcalf to four lanes.
Construction will also begin next year to widen Antioch to a four-lane divided thoroughfare in front of Blue Valley West High School. The two-mile project should be completed in 2009.
SOCCER
“After last November’s soccer vote, we realized there was still a need for more soccer fields for our children,” Gerlach said. “Plans are under way to construct 12 full-size soccer fields with lights.”
The soccer facility will be at 135th Street and Switzer Road, just north of the Deanna Rose Farmstead.
“This facility will be special because all the fields are planned to have synthetic turf,” Gerlach said. “As far as we know, there is no other complex in the metro area, or even the Midwest, and maybe the nation, where 12 fields with synthetic turf are all located at one site.”
The turf will allow full-time use, seven days a week and play can resume minutes after a heavy rain instead of canceling a tournament because of muddy fields, he said.
Gerlach said the facility will be available for recreational or competitive teams, with plans to attract regional and possibly national tournaments.
Funding will come from the transient guest tax, paid by guests in Overland Park hotels, and from user fees and special parks funds.
“Preliminary data from our consultants indicates we could host seven regional tournaments and one national tournament a year, bringing in excess of 150,000 visitor days,” Gerlach said. “Those visitors would stay at Overland Park hotels, eat in our restaurants, shop, and spend money. Direct annual spending in Overland Park may exceed $15 million.”
JOB GROWTH
Gerlach said employers added more than 2,000 jobs in the city last year.
“The average annual salary for those jobs is over $67,000. This is on top of 2,600 jobs added in 2005,” he said. “That is more than 4,500 jobs in two years, and $180 million in capital investment.”
Major employers moving to or expanding in Overland Park in 2006 include Quintiles, Prescription Solutions and APlus.Net, which moved from San Diego to Corporate Woods.
Black and Veatch added nearly 600 employees last year, Gerlach said, and the international firm expects near double-digit growth this year.
NOTABLE
“In 2006, we were rated the sixth-best city in the nation to live by CNN’s Money Magazine,” Gerlach said.
Other honors: the No. 1 kid-friendly city in the nation; one of the best cities to conduct business; one of the best places to live and work; the second-smartest city in the nation; and one of the top 10 cities for women.
Gerlach mentioned the proposed entertainment district on the southwest corner of Nall Avenue and College Boulevard, a collaborative effort of Overland Park and Sprint Nextel.
“I expect Sprint Nextel and the city to soon announce the hiring of consultants to help us find a master developer with a special vision to create and bring us ideas for this world-class development,” he said.
“As I stand before you today, I can say that Overland Park will continue to provide basic services for the community, including fire, police, streets, parks and more; do what is responsible by strengthening our economic vitality and continue to be a core business leader in the metro area and the state of Kansas; and be proactive so that 20 years from now, our children will know we did all the right things in 2007.
“Whether it is new projects like Downtown Overland Park, Metcalf South or Vision Metcalf, I expect the future to hold great and exciting opportunities.
“I envision an Overland Park that is cutting edge, setting the pace for cities throughout the region.”