Old Buildings, New Attitudes

Archive for December, 2009

Save these dates in 2010 for Downtown Lee’s Summit special events!

February

6: Chocolate Crawl

March

5-7: Spring Open House

13: Emerald Isle St. Patrick’s Day Parade

April

3: Downtown Bunny Hop

24: Farmers Market Begins

May

28: Music in the Park Begins

June

4-6: Downtown Days

10: Ladies Night Out

July

24: Sidewalk Sale

August

27-29: Fall Open House

September

16: Piccadilly Gala

24-25: Chamber’s Oktoberfest

October

15-17: Sneak Peek Holiday Open House

30: Halloween Parade

November

5-7: Traditional Holiday Open House

19: Mayor’s Tree Lighting

December 2009 marks the twenty-year anniversary of Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that was first incorporated on December 20, 1989. Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, Inc., is an accredited Main Street program through the National Trust Main Street Center®. The organization follows the Main Street Four-Point Approach® to commercial district revitalization with a focus on design, economic restructuring, organization and promotions. The twenty-year anniversary will be celebrated throughout the next twelve months by honoring volunteers, partners, and City leaders, and educating the public about the organization and downtown revitalization.

Lee’s Summit began its Main Street program in 1989 after a cycle of disinvestment left the downtown commercial district with vacancies, declining property values and aging infrastructure. Visionary leaders came together to determine how to make the historic downtown thrive once again, and formed the organization after learning of the Main Street program. These same leaders recognized that downtown would need basic infrastructure improvements if it were to remain viable. Aging and deteriorating infrastructure was a threat to the historic building inventory, and to business development. Persistent and frequent flooding was not only an annoyance, but deterred investment in downtown buildings and required frequent maintenance by property owners. Cracked sidewalks, overgrown trees, and lack of lighting were not only unpleasant aesthetically, but also created safety hazards. The Vision of the Heart plan created in 1992 was a significant step in gaining improvements for the downtown core. It also led to a proposed no tax increase bond issue in 2002, which was ultimately passed by the citizens of Lee’s Summit. This bond issue provided funds for the new City Hall, parking garage, and much needed downtown street reconstruction and streetscape improvements. The Old Lee’s Summit Development Master Plan, adopted by the City Council in February 2004, integrated the much needed infrastructure improvements with basic revitalization strategies for a complete downtown improvements package. Construction began in Spring of 2006 and ended the Summer of 2008.

Today, the downtown vacancy rate is low at approximately 6%, property values have soared, and over 180 businesses are located within 8 square blocks. Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, Inc., has recently been honored with the Greatest Achievement Award by Missouri Main Street Connection for the best downtown revitalization organization in the state. Downtown Lee’s Summit has also been selected as a semi-finalist for a Great American Main Street Award, honoring five communities in the United States for achievements in downtown revitalization.

While much has been achieved over twenty years, the work of Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, Inc., and its partners is not done. Revitalization strategies will continue, with a focus on business retention and expansion, business recruitment, parking strategies, and sustainable funding for increased services.

Jeanine Rann, Executive Director of Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, reflects on twenty years of revitalization: “The success downtown Lee’s Summit has enjoyed in the revitalization effort is due to an incremental approach, a clear vision and the dedication of many. One of the key factors is the broad-based community support and the belief that downtown is truly the heart of our community.”

For more information about Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, Inc., please visit www.downtownls.org.