When most people think about housing, they think about a place to live.
Friends of Johnson County Developmental Supports (JCDS) believes great housing should offer something more: connection, independence, and the opportunity to fully participate in the community.
That’s exactly what their new Floyd Street project aims to accomplish in Downtown Overland Park.
The nonprofit, which has spent over three decades creating affordable housing opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is preparing to build its first ground-up apartment community. While the project will include 17 thoughtfully designed apartments, it’s about far more than adding housing. It’s about creating a place where residents can live independently while remaining connected to the people and places around them.
Building on Decades of Impact
Since 1990, Friends of Johnson County Developmental Supports has worked to expand housing opportunities and support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Johnson County. Beginning in 1997, the organization started purchasing, renovating, and leasing homes, creating safe, affordable places where residents can live with greater independence.
Over the years, volunteers and supporters have helped renovate more than 20 homes, creating safe, affordable places for people to live.
Now, the organization is taking its biggest step yet.
The approximately $9 million Floyd Street project represents Friends of JCDS’ first opportunity to design a community from the ground up, allowing every detail to be intentionally planned around the needs of future residents.
Why Downtown Overland Park?
For many people, living downtown simply means being close to restaurants and shops.
For future residents of the Floyd Street project, it means something much bigger.
The Downtown Overland Park location was intentionally selected because it allows residents to walk to grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, the Farmers Market, Matt Ross Community Center, and other everyday destinations. For individuals who may not drive or have consistent access to transportation, those everyday conveniences become opportunities for greater independence.
Instead of relying on someone else for every errand, residents can participate more fully in daily life while becoming part of the neighborhood around them.
It’s a reminder that thoughtful city planning isn’t just about buildings. It’s about creating places where everyone can belong.
More Than a Place to Live
The apartments are only one piece of the vision.
The building will also include Friends of JCDS offices, shared community gathering spaces, an outdoor garden, and a public gallery showcasing work from the JCDS Emerging Artists program.
The gallery will provide artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities another opportunity to share their work, develop entrepreneurial skills, earn commissions, and connect with the broader community.
The community room and outdoor spaces will also host nutrition education, cooking classes, and life skills programming, creating opportunities for residents to continue learning while building relationships with neighbors.
Every part of the project was designed with community in mind.
A Community Helping Make It Happen
Projects like this don’t happen alone.
The Floyd Street development has received support from Johnson County, local foundations, donors, volunteers, and community partners who believe inclusive housing benefits everyone.
That collaborative effort reflects something Overland Park does especially well. When nonprofits, businesses, local government, and community members work together, they create opportunities that make the city stronger for everyone.
As construction moves closer, the Floyd Street project stands as another example of thoughtful growth that prioritizes people alongside development.
Investing in the Future of Downtown
Downtown Overland Park continues to evolve, with new housing, local businesses, restaurants, and community gathering spaces helping shape one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
Projects like Floyd Street show that growth isn’t only measured by new buildings. It’s also measured by the opportunities they create for people to live, work, connect, and thrive.
As construction moves closer, the Floyd Street project stands as another example of the thoughtful investment shaping Downtown Overland Park’s future. If you’re already an Economic Development Council (EDC) investor, or interested in becoming one, consider attending the Downtown Designed for Growth panel on September 3. Friends of JCDS, CEO, Janel Bowers, will join local leaders to discuss projects like Floyd Street and how thoughtful planning continues to strengthen Downtown Overland Park for years to come.
For Friends of JCDS, this project represents the next chapter in a mission that’s been serving Johnson County for decades. For Overland Park, it’s another reminder that building a stronger community means creating places where everyone has the opportunity to belong.
Want to support the project?
Friends of JCDS continues fundraising for the Floyd Street development and welcomes community support as construction moves forward. You can learn more about the project, make a donation, or follow its progress by visiting Friends of JCDS.
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