The Overland Park Farmer's Market has helped create a thriving community around its current location between 79th and 80th Street and Santa Fe in Downtown Overland Park. Next year, the Market will undergo an exciting renovation to dramatically improve its facilities. However, the current location will be shut down during this time, and the Market will need to move to an alternative location for the entire season.

The current alternative location selected by the city and Farmer's Market Management is the Matt Ross Community Center parking lot. This location is several blocks away from the current location - far enough away that foot traffic between the two sites will be difficult.

We believe there is a better location for the Farmer's Market in 2025 - using Santa Fe Drive between 79th and 80th Street as a pedestrian thoroughfare. This location better supports local businesses and maintains the community the market has created. This location has a significant history as a successful venue during the Fall Festival and Art Fair.

We, the undersigned local business owners, business managers, and citizens of Overland Park, ask the City to reconsider moving the Overland Park Farmers Market to the Matt Ross Community Center during the upcoming construction period in 2025. We believe that utilizing Santa Fe Drive between 79th and 80th Street is a superior alternative location for several reasons:

Reasons for Our Petition:

1. Loss of Foot Traffic: The Farmers Market at its current location on Santa Fe Drive brings substantial foot traffic to the area, which is crucial for the vitality of local businesses. Moving the market several blocks away will significantly reduce this foot traffic, potentially leading to a decline in customers vital for the local stores.
2. Decrease in Retail Sales: Businesses have come to rely on the increased sales that the Farmers Market brings to the area. The relocation will likely result in a notable decrease in retail sales, which could devastate many of our small, locally-owned businesses.
3. Community Impact: The current location of the Farmers Market has become a cornerstone of our local community. It serves as a place for commerce and as a gathering spot that enhances the charm and appeal of our downtown area. Moving the Farmer’s Market to Matt Ross for an entire season will detract from the community built in the area surrounding its current location.
4. Economic Ripple Effect: The potential loss of business could lead to job cuts, reduced hours for employees, reduced sales tax receipts, or even closures of some shops, which would have a broader negative impact on our local economy.
5. Negative Effect on Matt Ross Members and Patrons: Matt Ross Community Center is a critical space in our community, providing recreation and activities for people of all ages. Saturday mornings are a busy time for the gym, event spaces, and indoor pool. Utilizing the Matt Ross parking lot for the Farmer’s Market will adversely affect those seeking to use those services.
6. Synergy with Market Vendors: The proximity of the Farmers Market to the local shops creates a synergistic relationship that benefits both market vendors and brick-and-mortar businesses. The move to Matt Ross will disrupt this symbiosis. There is no equivalent presence of local retail shops near Matt Ross.
7. Superior Experience for Farmers Market Patrons: Locating the market in the heart of Downtown Overland Park will provide a superior experience for patrons, with more shopping options and facilities in the businesses surrounding the location.

Our Request:

We respectfully request that the Overland Park City Council and Market Management explore alternative solutions, allowing the Farmers Market to continue operating near its current location. Santa Fe Drive between 79th and 80th is a superior location, and a street shutdown of Santa Fe on Saturdays with street-side vendors is a better solution for all parties. We are open to discussing creative solutions that could accommodate all parties in the continued operation of the market near its traditional location.

By signing this petition, we affirm our commitment to the vitality of downtown Overland Park and express our deep concern about the potential negative impacts of relocating the Farmers Market to the Matt Ross location during next year's construction.

Current and Proposed Locations:

Downtown Overland Park Businesses Supporting the Petition:

1. The Culinary Center of Kansas City, Joe McConnell and Darren Palmet, Owners.
2. Teal Lotus, Trish Goodfriend, Owner
3. The General Store, Mike Cole, Owner