Another megachurch invests millions on 135th Street

Johnson County may be getting its second megachurch in the 135th Street corridor, which runs through one of the wealthier parts of the county.

Life Covenant Church Inc. of Edmond, Okla., which is better known by the name LifeChurch.tv, has acquired roughly 15 acres at the northwest corner of 135th Street and Grant Avenue in Overland Park.

The church paid $3.95 million in cash for the land, which was purchased from 135th Street Investors LLC, a partnership managed by Lewis Nerman.

Point Commercial LLC of Overland Park previously proposed a retail development focused on family entertainment and sports at the site, which is across 135th Street and slightly west of the Blue Valley Recreation Complex.

But the city of Overland Park won't be reaping the mega sales tax dollars that development might have generated if the Oklahoma-based megachurch follows through with its plans for the site.

"We did acquire that property as a potential location for a new LifeChurch.tv campus but have not made an official decision yet," Lori Bailey, a spokeswoman for the church, said in an email on Friday. "At this point we don't have anything to announce, but we'll be sure to let you know when/if we do."

Jack Messer, Overland Park's director of planning and development services, said he had not heard that the megachurch had purchased the site, which he referred to as "prime" commercial real estate.

It is located three miles west of a site near the southeast corner of 135th Street and Nall in Leawood, where the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection is planning a new $75 million, 3,500-seat sanctuary — part of a $90 million project to improve the megachurch's main campus.

Rob reports on real estate and development.