Mayor Curt Skoog on Future-Proofing Overland Park: Office Space, Barbecue, and Building for 2045

On The Good Government Show with Dave Martin, Overland Park, Kansas Mayor Curt Skoog lays out a vision that blends practical Midwest planning with bold, future-focused thinking. Once a sleepy suburb, Overland Park is now a booming city of 200,000—centered not on manufacturing or tech, but office space. That’s right: the city’s “industry” is corporate headquarters, engineering firms, and white-collar jobs. “We’re not a warehouse town,” Skoog says. “Our challenge is making office life appealing again—and building a city that today’s workforce actually wants to live in.”

That means reimagining streets and parking lots. The mayor’s big push? Transforming College Boulevard—Overland Park’s office corridor—into a vibrant, mixed-use destination with housing, entertainment, and transit access. Skoog’s administration just completed a comprehensive 20-year plan, driven by community input, focused on housing at all price points, economic vitality, and quality of life. “People want walkability, bike lanes, culture, and quick commutes,” he said. “That’s what we’re planning for.”

Despite the city’s 90% satisfaction rate, Skoog isn’t resting on that high praise. A longtime city council member turned part-time mayor, he emphasizes participation. “Just raise your hand,” he tells listeners. “Show up, sit in the back, and listen. That’s how I got started.” He’s not afraid to say what many mayors won’t: staying stuck in the past is a recipe for decline. “We’re not building the 1990s version of Overland Park. We’re building for 2045.”

From brisket sandwiches to broadband infrastructure, Skoog’s outlook is grounded in realism but fueled by optimism. “Potholes aren’t Republican or Democrat—they just need fixing,” he says with a grin. Listen to the full interview with Mayor Curt Skoog on The Good Government Show at GoodGovernmentShow.com—and learn what good government sounds like in the heart of the Heartland.