The City of Overland Park Governing Body approved a plan to move forward with an improvement project for the Overland Park Farmers’ Market.
The updated plan:
- Creates an indoor market space
- Improves the existing outdoor market space with shade structures and a gentler, more accessible ground slope
- Adds access to utilities like power and water for vendors
- Increases access to restrooms for vendors, staff and shoppers
- Allows for the possible expansion of existing market operations
- Maintains parking spaces during non-market hours.
A farmers’ market, and more
The new plan also creates a welcoming new community gathering space in Downtown Overland Park. The City went through a comprehensive planning process, where residents shared that they would like to see more spaces for events and activities across the city.
Plan created from community feedback
The City began considering options to improve the Farmers’ Market pavilion in 2017 and 2018. At the time, a study indicated that residents overwhelmingly wanted the market to stay in Downtown Overland Park.
“This major investment in our downtown is a result of talking with the community and delivering on community visions,” said Mayor Skoog. “I am looking forward to visiting our new market that brings an even better gathering space to our community.”
Since 2018, the City and its project partners have created conceptual plans, shared plans with a number of groups involved at the market, including vendors, shoppers, Downtown area residents and Downtown Overland Park merchants. The project team held pop-up events at the market, town hall meetings, issued community surveys, hosted focus groups and interviewed those closest to the market.
Next steps
City staff will now work with the selected project manager, architect and construction management firm to finalize designs and acquire property for the project.
Staff will also amend the Capital Improvements Plan to budget for the project cost. The project is expected to cost $33.9 million. The Capital Improvements Plan is scheduled for final adoption along with the City budget in September.
Construction on the Farmers’ Market Pavilion Site and Downtown OP gathering space is expected to begin this winter, after the 2024 Farmers’ Market season ends on December 7.
Upcoming market plans
The City expects construction on the pavilion site and gathering space to take approximately 18 months.
The Overland Park Farmers’ Market will operate its 2025 season outside Matt Ross Community Center. The market previously operated in this location during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Construction on the updated market pavilion and gathering space is expected to be done by the spring of 2026.
