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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

• Video: Committee Discussion
• Staff Comments

June 2021 Community Development Committee

• Video: Committee Discussion
• Staff Comments

September 2021 Community Development Committee

• Video: Committee Discussion

Request for Proposals: Farmers’ Market Pavilion Site

• RFP – Farmers’ Market Pavilion Site
• Addendum No. 1 – Farmers’ Market Pavilion Site
• Addendum No. 2 – Farmers’ Market Pavilion Site

Proposals: Farmers’ Market Pavilion Site

• April 4, 2022 Committee of the Whole Presentation and Recommendation
• Register of Proposals
• Preliminary Concept Plan – Copaken Brooks
• Concept Plan – Lane4
• Concept Plan – Block Real Estate Services LLC
• Concept Plan – Mark Lanzrath

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

• Sept. 14 Town Hall Presentation
• Farmers’ Market Improvement Project Town Hall Feedback Report
• Farmers’ Market – Community Engagement Process Findings Presentation
• Committee of the Whole Staff Comments – Nov. 7, 2022
• Committee of the Whole Presentation – Nov. 7, 2022

July 2024 Committee of the Whole

• Committee of the Whole Presentation
• Committee of the Whole Meeting Video
• Committee of the Whole Staff Comments

August 19, 2024 City Council Meeting – Agreements approved