Overland Park – A vacant lot at the northwest corner of 79th and Floyd streets is being transformed into a lifeline for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Friends of Johnson County Developmental Supports (Friends of JCDS) broke ground Tuesday on the Floyd Project, a $10 million, 17‑unit multifamily apartment complex that will also house a gallery for the organization’s Emerging Artists Program.
Community‑focused, faith‑grounded mission
For years, Friends of JCDS has remodeled single‑family homes across Johnson County to make them accessible for adults with disabilities. The Floyd Project marks the nonprofit’s first foray into larger‑scale, multi‑unit housing, reflecting a long‑standing commitment to building independence, stability and belonging for a population often overlooked in the housing market.
“This project is a great example of what can happen when people come together with a common mission and a common goal and get something done,” said Janel Bowers, executive director of Friends of JCDS, as volunteers and future tenants turned the first shovels of dirt.
Affordable units reserved for those who need them most
When completed, the building will reserve the majority of its 17 units for individuals who receive services from Johnson County Developmental Supports (JCDS). A smaller portion will be offered to very low‑ and extremely low‑income households, with rents set at roughly one‑third of each tenant’s monthly income, largely funded by federal housing vouchers.
Overland Park Councilmember Logan Heley praised the development, noting that “this building will be more than bricks and mortar; it’s about building independence, stability, and belonging for adults with disabilities.” He added that the project allows residents—integral members of the community—to live affordably, comfortably and proudly right in downtown Overland Park.
Art, agriculture and additional housing opportunities
The lower level of the new building will host a gallery for the JCDS Emerging Artists Program, where adults with disabilities create and sell artwork. Proceeds from each sale go directly back to the artist, supporting both creative expression and financial independence. The program already displays works at the Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center and at local art shows.
In addition to the gallery, the site will feature open space designated for urban agriculture, giving residents the chance to grow produce for themselves and their neighbors—a practical step toward self‑sufficiency and community building.
Future expansion on a former ambulance station
Friends of JCDS is also moving forward on a second affordable‑housing effort. The nonprofit recently acquired a former MED‑ACT ambulance station at 8500 Grandview Lane in northern Overland Park. Through the county’s Leveraging Assets for New Development initiative, the group plans to convert the vacant building into two or three additional units for adults with disabilities, with an estimated conversion cost just under $1 million.
Both projects underscore a growing recognition in Johnson County that accessible, affordable housing is essential for families and individuals who rely on developmental supports. By pairing housing with artistic, agricultural and community resources, Friends of JCDS is creating a model that other municipalities can emulate.
Looking ahead
The Floyd Project is slated to open its doors in the next few years, pending completion of construction and final city approvals. As the first multi‑family development of its kind in downtown Overland Park, it stands as a tangible expression of the community’s commitment to caring for its most vulnerable members while fostering economic stability and local pride.
Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.
