Despite concerns, former Sears site in Overland Park to get apartments, food, retail

After a year of reworking plans and meeting with neighbors, a developer can finally start revitalizing the shuttered Sears property in Overland Park.

New York-based Seritage Growth Properties — a spinoff of Sears that has been renovating its former stores across the country — has been seeking approval to revamp the southeast corner of 97th Street and Metcalf Avenue. And on Monday night, the Overland Park City Council put the project back on track by approving a rezoning request.

This time, plans for the 19-acre site include a 300-unit apartment complex, stores, restaurants, gas station and 350-stall parking garage on the land surrounding the former Sears store. Seritage developer Jeff Martin said he also will revamp the Sears building, but did not specify plans. The two-story building could be refaced and expanded.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)