Overland Park city officials approved a $4.7 million plan to realign Marty Street with 82nd Street on Metcalf Avenue and to create a new pocket park near the intersection. The project, which will smooth a currently awkward crossing and support a forthcoming five‑story apartment‑and‑retail building, is scheduled to begin early next year and continue into the fall.
At present, 82nd and Marty run parallel across Metcalf but do not line up, forcing drivers to travel half a block south on Metcalf before turning onto Marty. Councilmember Drew Mitrisin called the improvement “obviously a big, important project that intersects Metcalf” during a recent Public Works Committee meeting.
Supervisory civil engineer Becky Bonebrake told the committee that Metcalf will remain open throughout construction, with lane closures occurring “one half at a time” to keep traffic moving. Residents can expect temporary interruptions, but the city plans to maintain access while the streets are reconfigured.
The realignment will cut through the former Grease Monkey auto shop site at 8200 Metcalf Avenue. As part of the work, the city will add new access points for nearby properties, replace or install sidewalks where missing, and replace several driveways. Utilities in the area will also be relocated to accommodate the new street layout.
Funding for the project has risen since it was first listed in the 2023 capital improvements plan, when the city earmarked $3.3 million. The 2026 plan increased the estimate to $4.32 million, and the latest cost projection is $4.7 million, driven by higher‑than‑anticipated contractor bids. Federal assistance will cover $1.5 million of the total cost.
Earlier this month, the Overland Park City Council unanimously approved two consent‑agenda items: an amendment to the capital improvement plan reflecting the updated cost, and the award of the construction contract to Realm Construction for approximately $1.9 million.
Construction was originally slated to start in 2025, but the schedule was delayed as the city placed a moratorium on downtown roadwork while the Clock Tower Landing project proceeded. The new timeline pushes groundbreaking to early 2027, with work expected to continue through the fall season.
What’s next: Residents should watch for lane‑closure signage as work begins early next year. The city will provide updates on traffic patterns and the progress of the pocket park, which is intended to enhance green space in downtown Overland Park once the streets are completed.
Sources: johnsoncountypost.com
