There are just a few more opportunities to shop at Overland Park’s existing farmers’ market pavilion downtown.
After the market day on Saturday, Dec. 7, the aging pavilion will be removed (and donated to another Kansas city) to make way for a new pavilion and downtown gathering space, as well as other improvements to the area.
Some work associated with the $34 million project is already underway, as pre-construction and some electric and water utility work along Overland Park Drive ramps up, said Meg Ralph, Overland Park’s communications director, in an email.
“This project is a significant quality-of-life investment in downtown Overland Park that will sustain this and future generations of the community,” she said. “It meets community aspirations for safe, attractive gathering spaces that enhance the sense of community.”
Farmers’ market will have a new look by 2026
- The revamped farmers’ market pavilion will have a bigger footprint and be enclosed, meaning the market can operate year-round.
- Plus, the city plans to upgrade the stone Clock Tower Plaza patio area.
- There will also be accessibility upgrades, more seating, improvements to utilities and work on Overland Park Drive.
What’s the plan for the farmers’ market?
- The remainder of the official 2024 farmers’ market season will take place at the existing pavilion downtown.
- That includes Nov. 23 and the special holiday mart on Dec. 7. The farmers’ market is closed the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
- During that final market day on Dec. 7, the city will host a farewell celebration for the old pavilion.
- After that, fences will go up around the pavilion on Dec. 9.
- The old pavilion will be completely removed and given to Garnett, Kansas, a town of some 3,000 people about an hour’s drive southwest of Overland Park. Garnett will have until mid-January 2025 to completely relocate it.
- The 2025 farmers’ market season in Overland Park will take place in the Matt Ross Community Center parking lot, as it was during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parking, transit in downtown OP will be impacted
When the fences go up around the pavilion, all the parking typically available under and around it will also be unavailable.
When the farmers’ market reopens in the new space in 2026, there will no longer be public parking under it. But 160 parking spots will be available around the perimeter of the pavilion.
In the meantime, Ralph said there are still several public parking options available in the downtown area, including a lot at 80th and Conser and two lots at Matt Ross.
There are other free parking options on streets downtown and in some public garages. Additionally, the parking garage in the Edison district off 80th Street has public parking available on weekends and after hours. (Find more info about parking in downtown OP here.)
Additionally, the bus stop adjacent to the farmers’ market pavilion “will be indefinitely closed and relocated,” according to an alert from RideKC sent out in October. This will impact riders on the 401, 404 and 487 bus routes. Temporary stops will be placed near Matt Ross on Metcalf.
What exactly will become of the stops affected by the farmers’ market reconstruction project is uncertain at this point as Johnson County Transit kicks off a study related to public transit on Metcalf.
“We will work with them in coordination with the Metcalf transit study to determine permanent bus stop placement,” Ralph said.
Next steps:
- The city is looking for citizen input on naming the new farmers’ market pavilion and gathering space in downtown Overland Park.
- As of last Thursday, about 100 potential names had been submitted to the city.
- Throw your idea in the ring by filling out a survey form by Dec. 1.
Keep reading: Overland Park ties up loose ends on new farmers’ market. Where does the project stand?
