Old Buildings, New Attitudes

This Old House magazine has recognized Old Lee’s Summit, Missouri, as one of their Best Old House Neighborhoods 2010. The Old Lee’s Summit area surrounds the downtown Lee’s Summit historic business district, and includes four historic neighborhoods listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, Inc. (DLSMS), nominated the Old Lee’s Summit area for This Old House magazine’s third annual Best Places to Buy an Old House contest, which led to the selection. Sarah Shore, Assistant Director of DLSMS, is pleased with the recognition. “One of our organization’s goals is to elevate the image of Downtown Lee’s Summit in the region, and nationally. Our vibrant downtown, and the quality historic neighborhoods that surround it, set us apart from other communities. We are pleased that This Old House magazine has recognized Lee’s Summit with its selection.”

The Old Lee’s Summit area includes homes within a wide range of prices and with a variety of architectural styles, including 1880′s farmhouses, early 1900′s Queen Anne’s, colonial revivals, 1920′s craftsmen bungalows, and post WW-II cottages. Neighborhood schools and parks, walkable streets, affordable homes and proximity to the downtown business district make the Old Lee’s Summit area popular among new and long-time residents.

A total of fifty-one neighborhoods, one from each state, were selected as Best Old House Neighborhoods with Old Lee’s Summit being the selection from Missouri. This Old House magazine notes the “bustling” downtown commercial district and excellent public schools as a reason to buy in the Old Lee’s Summit area, and describes Lee’s Summit as a “quintessential suburb” with year-round events and a revitalized downtown.

Lee’s Summit City Manager, Stephen Arbo, is also pleased with the selection. “It is an honor to know that Lee’s Summit has been selected for this distinction. There are many stakeholders involved in the success of our downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. Our Mayor and City Council have been implementing a tool called the “Downtown Master Plan” to keep our common vision; Creating a sense of place in the heart of our city. Investing in an older home requires significant financial and emotional commitments. We want to do all that we can to reward and encourage these types of community investments in the future.”

A full list of the Best Old House Neighborhoods 2010 can be found on This Old House magazine’s website, http://www.thisoldhouse.com.