fbpx

Overland Park will use TIF to redevelop vacant site of former Winstead’s near downtown

Share this story:

Updated: Wednesday, March 25 at 3 p.m. 

An incentive district to help cover the cost of apartments and retail at the site of a former downtown Overland Park Winstead’s hamburger joint is moving forward.

On Monday, the Overland Park City Council voted 11-0 to establish a tax increment financing (or TIF) district covering the vacant property at 8036 Metcalf Avenue and the existing UMB Bank building nearby. 

Hunt Midwest, the developer, plans to build a six-story mixed-use building with about 225 apartment units, 5,000 square feet of retail space and a below-ground parking garage with some access for public parking. 

Councilmember Logan Heley, who represents this portion of the city, called it a “very exciting project in downtown Overland Park,” adding that he’s happy to see “over 200 units of housing coming to this key part of our city.” 

In a TIF district, tax revenues earned from increased property value go to a specified third party, like a developer, to reimburse costs incurred in the development of a specific project. For the 8036 Metcalf project, an estimated $15.5 million in reimbursement could go to the developer over the 20-year term of the district. 

Later, the city council will also have to take action on other incentives planned for the project and adopt a project plan tied to the TIF district and a formal redevelopment agreement. 

Councilmember Jeff Cox was absent from the meeting on Monday. 

Never miss a story
about your community
See for yourself why more than 50,000 Johnson Countians signed up for our newsletter.
Get our latest headlines delivered for FREE to your inbox each weekday.

Original story, published Tuesday, Feb. 4:

Details for possible local economic development incentives for a planned apartment and retail mixed-use development in downtown Overland Park are taking shape.

On Monday, the Overland Park City Council unanimously voted to set a March public hearing date for the redevelopment district. Located at 8036 Metcalf Ave., the site was a former Winstead’s hamburger joint.

Scheduling the hearing is a key first step in forming a tax increment financing, or TIF, incentive district, but it does not guarantee its establishment.

“This is exciting, to move this forward,” Council President Holly Grummert said of the development, noting that it ties into the city’s visions for downtown Overland Park and housing goals.

8036 Metcalf to have apartments, retail

TIF district would include nearby UMB Bank building

Hunt Midwest intends to include both the former Windstead’s property at 8036 Metcalf as well as the neighboring UMB Bank building that also houses the Atomic Cowboy restaurant in a TIF district.

If the city allows it to eventually go forward, then the TIF district could be considered a redevelopment area because the bank building is at least 65 years old. (That UMB branch was renovated extensively a few years ago, but the original building remains.)

In a TIF district, tax revenues earned from increased property value — or increments — go to a third party to reimburse costs incurred in the development of a specific project. These districts are typically limited to 20 year lifespans and are in clearly defined geographic boundaries.

In the case of the proposed TIF covering 8036 Metcalf, an estimated $15.5 million in reimbursement could go to the developer over the 20-year term.

Mixed-use with apartments and retail proposed at 8036 Metcalf Avenue.
Image via Overland Park planning documents.

Some concerns about the project remain

  • The vote sailed through the council Monday without much discussion. However, that’s not necessarily an indicator of easy passage ahead.
  • At a Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee meeting last month, several councilmembers were concerned about the lack of an affordable housing component in Hunt Midwest’s plan and a more concrete promise for a sustainable building.
  • Even Grummert, who was positive about the development Monday, was worried in January about the parking plan for the project and its impact on downtown parking in general.

Next steps:

More on 8036 Metcalf: Overland Park clears plan for apartments on Metcalf site where Winstead’s once stood

About the author

Kaylie McLaughlin
Kaylie McLaughlin

👋 Hi! I’m Kaylie McLaughlin, and I cover Overland Park and Olathe for the Johnson County Post.

I grew up in Shawnee and graduated from Mill Valley in 2017. I attended Kansas State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2021. While there, I worked for the K-State Collegian, serving as the editor-in-chief. As a student, I interned for the Wichita Eagle, the Shawnee Mission Post and KSNT in Topeka. I also contributed to the KLC Journal and the Kansas Reflector. Before joining the Post in 2023 as a full-time reporter, I worked for the Olathe Reporter.

Have a story idea or a comment about our coverage you’d like to share? Email me at kaylie@johnsoncountypost.com.

LATEST HEADLINES