Clock Tower Landing Project

The City began construction on the new Farmers’ Market and Downtown Gathering Space Improvement project in December 2024. Reconstruction of this facility is an important 30+ year investment in downtown Overland Park.

After taking ideas from the community, the Overland Park City Council approved a new name for the construction project in Downtown Overland Park on Jan. 27, 2024. The area will now be called “Clock Tower Landing.”

The City launched a community engagement process in November, asking residents, Downtown Overland Park visitors, farmers’ market vendors and shoppers to share their ideas for the project.

The City developed the name from suggestions the community provided. The selected name expands on an existing, familiar downtown landmark. It includes a playful connection to the area’s history as an early 1900s aviation hub and its future as a community gathering space.

This project page will be updated throughout construction. Please check back for updates.

Please note the 2025 market season will take place at Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty Street, to allow space for the Farmers’ Market and Downtown Gather Space Improvement Project.

Site Plans + Designs

When complete, this project will feature:

New, indoor spaces for Overland Park Farmers’ Market vendors and shoppers
Permanent shade structures in outdoor spaces
Additional seating for market visitors
Expanded restroom access
Improvements to spaces adjacent to the market structure, including the Clock Tower Plaza, Overland Park Drive and Marty Street
Continued access to parking during non-market days
A new, friendlier place to gather for watch parties, concerts and other public events in Downtown Overland Park adjacent to future private development.

Project Status

The City strategically planned the construction of this important investment to minimize the impact on farmers’ market operations. The Overland Park Farmers’ Market will operate the 2025 season at Matt Ross Community Center, just two blocks away on Marty Street.

The project is expected to be complete in the summer of 2026, in time for the Kansas City metropolitan area to host six World Cup games.

Take A Closer Look

Mayor Curt Skoog shared a closer look at plans for Clock Tower Landing at his 2025 State of the City Address.

This video highlights the highly anticipated Farmers’ Market Improvement Project and the excitement surrounding Clock Tower Landing. Hear from City staff, Downtown Overland Park and market vendors as they share what these improvements mean for the community.

Sustainability

Sustainability is a priority for the City and the Farmers’ Market. When complete, the market will feature:

Solar panels on pavilion roof
Electric vehicle charging stations
Pavement colors and solar shade structures to reduce the temperature of the outdoor space
LED lighting and solar-powered exterior lighting
Native landscaping
Recycling and composting, and more.

Where possible, construction crews will use locally sourced, low-carbon and recycled construction materials.

Additionally, the farmers’ market operations close down Marty Street on market days, improving walkability and bikeability in Downtown Overland Park. The project will include bike and scooter parking.

Questions + Answers

Why is the City updating the Farmers’ Market site?

The Farmers’ Market pavilion was originally built in 1991.

While the pavilion houses a major community amenity, the City recognizes there may be additional opportunities for this space, including options that allow for the Farmers’ Market to grow and increase comfort for vendors and shoppers, and additional programming in the space.

Additionally, there are physical challenges for Farmers’ Market operations in continuing to use the existing pavilion space. Rain and weather penetration from the open-air market prevent the possibility of a year-round market operation. The asphalt parking lot surface traps heat and rain runoff, creating a less comfortable environment for all Farmers’ Market attendees. More vendors are interested in selling, and shoppers are interested in purchasing meats, eggs, dairy products and other items that require refrigeration, yet the pavilion has insufficient electrical capacity to accommodate these needs.

Will the Farmers’ Market stay at the current site at 7950 Marty?

Yes.

A 2017 study confirmed that the farmers’ market operations should remain generally in its current location on Marty, at the site of the pavilion and City parking lot.

Will the Farmers’ Market have to move for construction?

Temporarily, yes.

The market will operate outside Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty, for the 2025 season and likely the early part of the 2026 season. The market previously operated in this location during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Who are the City’s partners on this project?

Copaken Brooks is the City’s Owner’s Representative for the construction of the facility. Copaken Brooks and PGAV Architects created designs for the project in consultation with the City, Downtown Overland Park and other stakeholders. McCownGordon Construction is the Construction Manager At-Risk

The City also worked with Market Ventures Inc. to study the needs of the market and downtown, and K2 Urban Design Development to develop the request for proposals for the project.

What is the full timeline of this project from start to finish?

The following are key dates for the planning, approval and construction of this project. Future dates are tentative. Dates will be updated as the project progresses.

2018-2019

February 5, 2018 – After a study exploring ways to improve the Farmers’ Market, including public and vendor input meetings, a consultant presented to the Overland Park City Council regarding future plans for the market.
Spring 2018 – The City spent approximately $200,000 in interim maintenance expenses to paint the Farmers’ Market pavilion canopy, enhance the electrical system, address immediate drainage and pavement issues on the site and more.
October 2018 – The City purchased the property at 7910 Marty adjacent to the Farmers’ Market pavilion that was previously used as a car wash. This space has been used for additional parking in Downtown, especially on Market days.
Spring 2019 – The City allocated $5.5 million in the 2020-2024 Capital Improvements Plan for design and reconstruction of the Farmers’ Market site, scheduled to be built in 2022.

2021

Spring – City Council approved the 2022-2026 Capital Improvements Plan, which adjusts funding years from the Farmers’ Market improvements to allow preliminary planning to start in 2021.
April 7 – City staff informed the Community Development Committee that the City would be issuing a request for proposals for a public-private partnership for the Overland Park Farmers’ Market.
September – The City issued a request for proposals for redevelopment of the Farmers’ Market site.
September 28 – The City hosted a town hall event for residents, Farmers’ Market shoppers and vendors, and others to share feedback on the project. You can see feedback gathered at the town hall and through a virtual feedback form in the RFP addendum #1 and RFP addendum #2.

2022

Winter 2021/2022 – A selection committee evaluated proposals and interviewed applicants.
April 4 – City Council approved the selection committee’s recommendation to engage with a private developer to design a public/private development, and selected Copaken Brooks as the recommended partner.
August-November – The City, with Copaken Brooks and PGAV Architecture, held a community engagement process including town hall meetings, Meet at the Market events, surveys and stakeholder sessions. Results are available to read here.
November 7 – The project team presented the findings of the community engagement process to the City Council Committee of the Whole.
December 19 – The Governing Body approved the revised concept plan.

2023

February 20, 2023 – The Governing Body approved an agreement for the development team to further refine the concept plan, estimate plan costs and identify financing options.

2024

July 1 – Based on community feedback, development standards and financial assessments, the City approved a conceptual plan to develop the public farmers’ market building and a community gathering space without the private development.
August 19 – The Overland Park City Council formally approved the Farmers’ Market and Downtown Gathering Space Improvement project.
December – Construction begins.

Spring 2026 – The Overland Park Farmers’ Market will resume operations in the new facility.

How can I learn more about the history of this project?

The City has discussed the future of the market for many years. The following links direct you to past committee and City Council discussions about this project.

2018 Market Study Presentation

April 2021 Community Development Committee

June 2021 Community Development Committee

September 2021 Community Development Committee

Video: Committee Discussion

Request for Proposals: Farmers’ Market Pavilion Site

Proposals: Farmers’ Market Pavilion Site

Agreement: Public Engagement Services

City Council approved an agreement for a public engagement process on this topic that took place in the summer and fall of 2022.

Agreement for Public Engagement Services – Copaken Brooks

Community Engagement Process Deliverables

July 2024 Committee of the Whole

August 19, 2024 City Council Meeting – Agreements approved

Project Renderings

Contact

General Inquiries

Jamie Stadler
816-701-5026

Businesses

Downtown Business Improvement District merchants can also contact Downtown Overland Park Partnership Executive Director Angie Mutti with questions specific to your business.