Merriam partnered with the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) in 2021 for two Planning Sustainable Places (PSP) projects. These projects were meant to support local planning that creates vibrant places to live and work, offers good transportation options, and protects the natural environment.
Downtown Merriam Corridor Plan
The first project focused on the Downtown Merriam Corridor. The study looked at how the land is used, how traffic moves, and how the street is designed. It reviewed the area’s redevelopment potential, building design, land uses, economic opportunities, and transportation network. Using this information, the project created recommendations for the design of Merriam Drive. The goal was to help make downtown Merriam a better place to live, work, and visit.
The street design used a “complete street” approach to support walking, biking, transit, and driving. It also explored ways to improve connections between Merriam and nearby cities like Overland Park, Mission, and Kansas City.
The project gathered input from residents, businesses, property owners, and neighboring communities, and continued earlier efforts from the Comprehensive Plan 2040 and by the 5701 Committee.
The grant studied bike, pedestrian, and vehicle travel on Merriam Drive from Johnson Drive through east city limits. The key objectives of the grant are:
- Equitably engage property owners and neighbors in meaningful and descriptive conversation about the future uses for Downtown Merriam.
- Conceptualize a multi-modal complete streets plan for Merriam Drive and its integration into adjacent multi-modal transportation networks.
- Develop an implementation strategy to create a robust multi-modal Merriam Drive.
- Identify and develop complimentary green infrastructure projects along the corridor that supports stormwater management and stormwater quality, place-making, urban heat island reduction, and buffers for multi-modal connectivity.
- Create a framework that best positions Downtown Merriam and surrounding neighborhoods to become a thriving and desirable place to live and conduct business.
This study began in spring 2021. The planning process included reviewing many options and giving the public a chance to share their ideas. After feedback from residents, business owners, and community leaders, concept plans for a new street design included:
- Changing the road from the current two, three, and four lanes to two and three lanes throughout.
- Diagonal parking spaces in front of the Merriam Farmers' Market.
- A shared-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists.
- Raised crosswalks with removable bollards for special events held downtown.
- A new Merriam Marketplace entrance.
- A gateway monument into downtown Merriam.
- New LED streetlights.
The final recommendations are based on what community members said. These suggestions guided how the City of Merriam makes future street improvements and plans redevelopments.
Downtown Merriam Corridor Plan(PDF, 27MB)
Merriam Drive Street Improvements
The Downtown Merriam Corridor Plan provided the foundation for launching a street improvement project that puts its recommendations into action.
- April 25, 2022: City Council Meeting – Draft Downtown Corridor Plan Presentation
- September 2022: City Council Meeting – Council accepted the final plan
- December 14, 2022: Public Open House – Design professionals provided a project overview of street improvements planned on Merriam Drive from Johnson Drive to 55th St. Presentation(PDF, 18MB)
- January 19, 2023: Special City Council Meeting – Consider design options for Merriam Drive Street Improvements
- January 23, 2023: City Council Meeting – Consider revised design plans for Merriam Drive Street Improvements
- February 27, 2023: City Council Meeting – Consider revised design plans for Merriam Drive Street Improvements
- April 20, 2023: Downtown Merriam Drive Updated Renderings(PDF, 9MB)
Construction on Merriam Drive Street Improvements was scheduled to start in 2023; the project did not move forward due to opposition by Downtown businesses and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers receiving funding to begin design plans for the Upper Turkey Creek Project.
Merriam Connected Corridor Plan
The second PSP project was led by the City of Overland Park and focused on the Merriam Drive corridor as a whole. Its purpose was to study how land use and transportation worked together along the corridor and to recommend improvements for mobility, development, and multi‑modal travel. It focused on transportation and street design from 51st St. to Southwest Boulevard. This study also helped create a shared development strategy for the historic corridor and strengthened connections between Downtown Merriam, Overland Park, Mission, and Rosedale. Like the first project, it included outreach to corridor residents, businesses, property owners, and nearby jurisdictions.
Merriam Connected Corridor Plan(PDF, 45MB)