Old Buildings, New Attitudes

Archive for November, 2008

Two Main Street representatives were in town on Friday, November 7th to meet with DLSMS Staff, DLSMS committees, and City officials for an accreditation review.  Norma Miess of the National Trust Main Street Center, and Gayla Roten of Missouri Main Street Connection, met with all four committees: promotions, design, economic restructuring, and organization.  The Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street program was evaluated on ten performance areas:

1.	Has broad-based community support for the commercial district revitalization process, with strong support from both the public and private sectors.
2.	Has developed vision and mission statements relevant to community conditions and to the local Main Street program’s organizational stage.
3.	Has a comprehensive Main Street work plan
4.	Possesses an historic preservation ethic
5.	Has an active board of directors and committees
6.	Has an adequate operating budget
7.	Has a paid professional program manager
8.	Conducts a program of ongoing training for staff and volunteers
9.	Reports key statistics
10.	Is a current member of the National Trust Main Street Network

The representatives reported the findings of their assessment in a wrap-up meeting that evening, and informed us of our accredited status for 2009!  Further detail and recommendations for improvements will be provided to us in a written report.  Congratulations to the over 62 committee members who volunteer so much of their time to make our downtown healthy & vibrant! 

Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street is one of only four accredited Main Street programs in the State of Missouri.  For more information about the Main Street Approach to commercial district revitalization, please visit www.mainstreet.org.

Start your Holiday Season in Downtown Lee’s Summit!  This Friday, November 21st is the Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony.  Festivities start at 6:30 pm.

Four musical performances will start the evening: LS United Methodist Church Bell Choir, LS United Methodist Church Men’s Choir, Lee’s Summit Elementary Cougar Choir, and Miss Missouri Sweetheart.  Then Mayor Messerli will turn on over 100,000 SPARKLING lights at 7:10 pm, followed by a visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus, and elves at 7:15 pm!  Bring the kids and your camera so you can get pictures of your little ones with Santa!

There will be free hot chocolate, and a guest appearance from Chris Pisano with KCTV5!  Chris is a Lee’s Summit resident and we are so excited to have him help at this year’s Tree Lighting!

Get rewarded for shopping in Downtown Lees Summit this holiday season! Make sure to hold on to your receipts while you shop for SPARKLING gifts for everyone on your list between November 14th and December 24th. For every $50 you spend in Downtown retail stores, you can enter to win one of five $100 shopping sprees to be given away. The $50 can come from one store, or a combination of several stores.

Once your shopping is complete, take your Downtown receipts to A Thyme for Everything (231 SE Main Street). Your receipts will then be marked and you will receive an entry form to fill out. It is just as simple as that! Winners will be drawn on December 26th. Downtown Lees Summit Main Street Gift Checks can be used at any DLSMS business.

The Traditional Holiday Open House will be Friday, November 7th through Sunday, November 9th.  Downtown stores will be decked out for the holidays.  Need some new decorating ideas?  Stop by a home decor store to see what’s new for Holiday 2008.  Need the perfect outfit for all those holiday parties?  You’re sure to find something unique at our specialty clothing stores and boutiques.  Need a great gift?  You’ll find gifts that SPARKLE at over 40 retail stores.  And participating stores will be holding drawings for SPARKLING items on Saturday, November 8th. 

Don’t forget about Downtown Lee’s Summit Gift Certificates.  These are perfect for those hard to shop for friends and family members.  Downtown Lee’s Summit Gift Certificates can be purchased at the Bank of Lee’s Summit, 210 SW Main Street.