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 farmer's 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, naming LANE4 Development Group as the master developer of the project and Biederman Redevelopment Ventures as the manager. The two firms received unanimous support from a selection committee comprised of four members from the City and three members from the Downtown Lee’s Summit Community Improvement District. The conceptual plan for the mixed-use Downtown Market Plaza consists of a permanent farmers market, conservatory, boutique hotel, mixed-use commercial building, outdoor performance area, apartment complex and courtyard. The Downtown Market Plaza redevelopment envisions the creation of both private and public structures/spaces, as well as the construction of public infrastructure and utility improvements.