OP Central

OP Central

The College and Metcalf area is Overland Park’s largest concentration of office employment and is a major regional activity center for the Kansas City metropolitan area. It is a major destination for visitors with the Overland Park Convention Center, eight hotels and major adjacent retail centers nearby.

Contact

Leslie Karr
[email protected]
913-895-6196

College + Metcalf Mobility Enhancement Project

The College and Metcalf mobility enhancements project will construct a linear park with a multi-use path along the south side of College Boulevard from Marty Street to Nall Avenue and a trail connecting to the Summercrest Park Trail. The park will include two activity areas, one at College and Metcalf and one near Glenwood and College. The City anticipates additional activity areas as funding allows. The project will update the roundabout at Lamar and 110th Street to improve pedestrian and bicycle connections, pedestrian wayfinding and a trail enhancement along Outlook will also be incorporated along this corridor. Construction is scheduled to begin in late summer of 2026.

Learn more about this project and other construction projects happening in the City of Overland Park at opkansas.org/Construction.

College + Metcalf Overlay District Study (2024)

The City of Overland Park in coordination with the Mid America Regional Council (MARC) kicked off their College & Metcalf Overlay District Study. The goal of the study is to provide a more flexible mixed use zoning code for the area to spur reinvestment and other opportunities to expand on the prosperity of Overland Park.

The overlay would allow for more housing, retail, restaurant uses, recreational amenities and reinvestment opportunities in existing developed sites and greenfield sites. The study will also examine alternate modes of transportation within the District.

The study is bounded by I-435, Metcalf Ave., W 119th St., and Nall Ave.

Community Engagement

The City held an open house on April 3, 2024, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the BHC Corporate Office, 7101 College Blvd, to share information about the College + Metcalf Overlay District Study, answer questions and gather feedback.

The City also held a public meeting on January 25 at the BHC Corporate Office to share information about the College + Metcalf Overlay District Study, answer questions and gather feedback.

For any questions regarding the College + Metcalf Overlay District Study, please email Keith Gooch at [email protected].

A resident looks at information displayed on a presentation board at a public information meeting.
A small group of people look at information presented on a display board at a public information meeting.
Two men present information at an OP Central public meeting.

College + Metcalf Mobility Study Background (2021)

The College + Metcalf Mobility Study provides recommendations for improving walking and biking options along the corridor in support of a mixed-use activity district. Learn more about the OP Central Walkability Study and see the full recommendations in the College & Metcalf Mobility Study report.

Results

Both the 2018 OP Central Plan and the 2021 Mobility Study grew from an initiative of the City of Overland Park, the OP Convention Center and VisitOP to increase use of the Center, area hotels, and associated businesses. While increased event and visitor activity remains central, other developments have altered and expanded this basic outcome.

Participants

This plan grew from a collaboration between the consultant team and the people who know the district best—its institutions, agencies, businesses, developers, property owners and managers, residents and neighbors. Members of a Steering Committee representing these groups met seven times during the planning process. The Steering Committee meetings coincided with key milestone points and contributed both important ideas and review of concepts.

Study Document

Learn more about the OP Central Walkability Study and see the full recommendations in the College & Metcalf Mobility Study report.

Master Plan Background (2018)

In 2018, the City went through a six month-long master planning process focused on the College and Metcalf area. This study analyzed workplace and community needs of about 470 acres of land along College Blvd. between Lowell and Nall. This area is uniquely positioned to support innovative mixed-use development.

Results

The OP Central Master Plan considered the current uses of the area and provides high-level recommendations to make the area more walkable, vibrant, and engaging for residents, workers and visitors.

It creates a concept master plan for long-term development, transportation improvements, programming, design and character of the area.

Participants

The study included public engagement from visioning sessions, focus groups and a community workforce survey. Participants included City staff, a steering committee, a workplace group, a hospitality group, and a large group of residents.

The study was completed with funding from the Mid-America Regional Council’s Planning Sustainable Places program.

Study Document

Learn more about the OP Central study and see the full recommendations in the OP Central College + Metcalf Study report.

Read the Report

Taking Action

Since the approval of the recommendations, the City has implemented changes in the College and Metcalf area to work toward the goals of OP Central.

This included a “road diet” on College Boulevard between Metcalf and Nall.

Two traffic lanes in each direction, plus a buffer space and a parking lane, replaced the previous three lanes of traffic. The changes added about 100 on-street parking spots adjacent to highly-used destinations in the area.

The work to update the street took place during a previously-scheduled mill and overlay project in 2020. Even with the reduction in lanes, traffic is still at 50% of the capacity for the street.

The City also added bike lanes on nearby 110th Street, 112th Street and Lamar Avenue; and shared use paths along Nall and part of Metcalf.