Editorial: Downtown gets a little livelier in Overland Park

Overland Park is on the verge of having a good problem: more people living in and around its downtown, making parking a little bit more difficult to find.

City Council members recently approved creation of a redevelopment district for The Vue, expected to include 216 apartments, a parking garage and retail space at 80th Street and Marty.

In addition, other positive investments are on the table for Overland Park’s urban core.

A development called Avenue 80 at 80th Street and Metcalf Avenue will include apartments, a parking garage and office and retail space. InterUrban Lofts, at 79th and Conser streets, will have residential units, a garage and office space.

But with all those new people, council members heard some concern at a public meeting that the influx of vehicles could lead to more congestion.

“Downtown Overland Park is all two-lane streets and stop signs,” said attorney Michael Millett. “It’s difficult to get around as it is.”

Council members correctly pointed out that the development projects would provide much of the parking needed for their tenants and customers.

Still, increased congestion could lead to people having to park a little bit farther away than they are used to when visiting friends downtown or shopping at stores or the Farmers Market.

In car-centric Johnson County, that might be classified as an unusual event. But it’s not really something to worry too much about.

A revitalized downtown Overland Park will be worth celebrating.

This story was originally published August 25, 2015 at 7:14 PM with the headline "Editorial: Downtown gets a little livelier in Overland Park."