Metcalf Avenue is the street that is most clearly associated with Overland Park. It runs almost the entire length of the city and extends northward as Interstate 635 merges into Kansas City, Kansas, and southward as a major arterial into the unincorporated portions of Johnson County.
Average traffic rates range from 25,000 to more than 40,000 vehicles per day.
The Overland Park Governing Body is convinced that the revitalization and redevelopment of the Metcalf corridor are crucial to the overall stability and health of the community.
Creating a new vision for Metcalf allows the city to better define and reinforce a coherent image for the corridor, one that will differentiate it from other thoroughfares and reinforce its identity as the primary north/south artery through the community.
The Metcalf corridor includes the original “downtown” area that was built in the 1930s and 40s, an enclosed mall that was built in the late 60s, and an assortment of strip retail development, including some relatively recent redevelopment efforts. There also are several large office projects.
The character of Metcalf Avenue varies from the older, northern portion of the city to the newer, southern portion. North of 87th Street, Metcalf has a narrower right-of-way, more frequent curb cuts, and passes through a relatively balanced blend of single-family residential neighborhoods and strip retail development. The quality of the adjacent development varies from well preserved to areas that are showing initial signs of physical decline.
In the central portion of the city between 87th Street and Interstate 435, a wider right-of-way allows for a divided street with more lanes of traffic and the adjacent land uses are predominantly retail with more of a shopping center format. Again, the development quality varies considerably with some commercial properties showing high vacancy rates and the early signs of deteriorating physical condition.
Strong Neighborhoods:
Since 1990, the City of Overland Park has partnered with residents to maintain a strong character and quality of life in its neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Conservation Program is designed to help neighborhoods work collaboratively to build a sense of community in the city. To learn more about Overland Park's neighborhood activities, visit one of the city's 33 conservation group pages.