Johnson County to turn an old fire station into affordable housing under new rules
A former Johnson County fire and emergency medical services station may soon become affordable housing for residents with disabilities for the next 30 years thanks to a new county policy.
Built in 1957, the 3,400 square-foot station sits on 0.2 acres at 8500 Grandview Lane in Overland Park, Assistant County Manager Adam Norris told commissioners during Thursday’s meeting. Johnson County’s MED-ACT operated out of the building until 2024, when they moved to the Lenexa Fire Station.
“We don’t have current or anticipated needs in this property moving forward,” Norris said. “Its limited footprint, size and location have not proved to be beneficial to the county to continue ownership and maintenance of this building.”
As part of a new policy that calls for the county to identify underused pieces of county-owned land for housing development, among other uses, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously declared the site as “surplus property” and allowed it to be transferred without fees or costs to the Friends of Johnson County Developmental Services — a local profit that provides affordable housing and support programs for adults with disabilities.
The commissioners’ unanimous vote comes at a time when housing prices have continued to climb in Kansas City’s largest suburb.
The nonprofit plans to convert the former EMS building into a duplex or triplex that would serve up to six residents with disabilities. According to county documents, Friends estimates it would cost $970,000 to convert the property into residential housing — using a combination of a $500,000 federal grant, local sources and tax credits.
The units would target residents earning 60% of the area median income — or $46,860 for a single person and $53,520 for a couple, according to U.S. Housing and Urban Development data.
Heather McNeive, the director of Johnson County Housing Services, told commissioners that there’s a 30-year affordability period along with a deed restriction and “soft second mortgage” in place to make sure the property is used for affordable housing in the long-term.
Developing county-owned land
The county can transfer the parcel over to the nonprofit thanks to a new policy — dubbed Leveraging Assets for New Development (LAND) — commissioners approved in March that directed county staff to identify underused, county-owned sites that could be redeveloped for housing, with an emphasis on affordable housing development.
Kansas law allows the county to identify surplus property and adopt alternate methods for “the disposal” of the property, according to county documents. This means that if county staff identifies property that has marketable value, the county could transfer a property to another owner for a different use.
“We have stated since about 2018 as a Board of County Commissioners that housing is a priority and addressing attainable housing is a priority,” 3rd District Commissioner Julie Brewer said during the board’s meeting on Thursday. “Having tools to bring that together is a priority.”
Johnson County reported last year that more than 90% of its housing stock went up in value, with average home prices sitting at $500,000. However, most of the new homes in Johnson County are selling at prices over $700,000.
Homes are considered attainable at $300,000 or less. In 2018, more than 100,000 homes were $300,000 or less. In 2024, the county classified less than 25,000 homes as attainable.
The former MED-ACT station is the first time the commissioners used its new policy.
“This is in District four, right in the middle of a residential area,” 4th District Commissioner Janee Hanzlick said. “I’m sure it was different in 1957, but I think it’s perfect for this use. It’s close to a grocery store, (public transportation), and tucked into a neighborhood. I can’t think of a better use.”
Once the land transfer is complete, renovations and redevelopment will need to go before the Overland Park Planning Commission and City Council for final redevelopment approvals.
