How Did We Get Here?
In April 2013, Lee’s Summit voters approved a $2,898,000 general obligation bond for the purpose of constructing and rehabilitating public improvements for cultural arts, including improvements to the Legacy Park Amphitheater, rehabilitating the former post office/city hall building, and the creation of a downtown performance and festival space.
The proposed improvements were based on the 2007 Cultural Arts Plan and 2012 Cultural Facilities Master Plan. These projects were also supported by goals in the Quality of Life Key Performance Area of the strategic visioning document LS360: Charting Tomorrow, and the Mayor’s Cultural Facilities Task Force.
The initial proposed location of the downtown performance and festival space was limiting and there was a desire by the downtown merchants to combine this amenity with a permanent farmers market pavilion (also recommended in the 2004 Downtown Master Plan). An alternate site near Southeast Green Street and Southeast Third Street was selected and the City began the process of assembling property that will allow a combination of private investments and public facilities/space that could meet several goals of the 2004 Downtown Master Plan.
Funding for the project will come from the remaining bond balance, proceeds set aside from the sale of surplus properties, a partnership with the Downtown Community Improvement District and potential private investment.
What's Next?
City Council approved a development structure agreement during its meeting on April 20, 2021, naming LANE4 Property Group as the master developer of the project and Biederman Redevelopment Ventures as the manager. On January 4, 2022, City Council approved an amended development structure agreement naming GLMV Architecture as the master architect of the project.
Preliminary design efforts will begin immediately on the mixed-use project, followed by a public input process on the various concepts. The preliminary master plan will consist of public and private components. Conceptual public components include a permanent farmers market, flexible indoor space, outdoor performance and festival area, art and water features, and pedestrian areas. Conceptual private components could include a boutique hotel, multi-family residential complex, retail and restaurant.