LANE4's $80M plan passes, calling for Metcalf South demo

LANE4's revised and newly approved plan for the southeast quadrant of 95th and Metcalf features Lowe's as the anchor tenant surrounded by 13 smaller shops and restaurants.

It's full steam ahead for the demolition of the former Metcalf South Mall.

Monday night, the Overland Park City Council passed LANE4 Property Group's revised $80 million plan for 95MetcalfSouth. Now, the team is putting forth its second attempt to create a new life for the 30 acres of prime Johnson County real estate.

The last time LANE4 President Owen Buckley appeared before the city, his plans weren't as warmly received. The team ultimately withdrew its $324 million plan after the city recommended its denial, forcing Buckley and his partner Stan Kroenke back to the drawing board.

This new $80 million version of the plan calls for the razing of the former Metcalf South mall, one of the city's oldest. In its place, the team will build a 165,000-square-foot Lowe's Home Improvement surrounded by 13 smaller retail shops and nearly 1,300 surface parking units. The Sears store on the south end of the lot will remain and is not part of the redevelopment plan.

The newly approved plan only outlines the developers' intentions for the southeast quadrant of 95th and Metcalf Avenue. The team didn't include a revised plan for the K-Mart anchored property to the north.

Buckley said the team is finalizing agreements with Lowe's. He couldn't reveal other tenants yet, but said he is in negotiations with several restaurants and shops.

"The rest of the project will happen organically based on restaurants and retailers who like being close to a traffic generator like Lowe's," Buckley said.

The project team includes DLR Group, Davidson Architecture & Engineering, and Polsinelli PC.