The Overland Park City Council approved the final development plan for the former Metcalf South Mall, giving developers the green light they need to break ground.
“It’s pretty lonesome right now,” said Sears Shopper Matt Calovich. “I mean not too many people are around.”
The aging shopping center closed in 2014. Sears is the only tenant left, and plans to stay.
“I’d like to see a more vibrant shopping area. I’d like to see more shop here and more access or people.”
City councilman Curt Skoog said the “Vision Metcalf" plan has been in the works for a decade.
“We’re excited the development side will start moving forward and we’ll see change,” said Skoog.
Some of those changes will include a new Lowe’s, more walking-friendly spaces, and apartments.
“What it envisions is a more dense, more walkable, more kind of sense of place where people want to go and experience time and places,” Skoog explained.
“You know, the more lit up it is, the less crime there is gonna be and the more people will come around and shop and I think it will be good for the community,” said Calovich.
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Lexi Sutter can be reached at lexi.sutter@kshb.com.
