Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street Wins Big at State Awards Ceremony, Taking Home Two Major Honors
Missouri Main Street Connection (MMSC) awarded two prestigious honors to Downtown Lee's Summit Main Street during Missouri's Premier Downtown Revitalization Conference's Evening of Excellence Awards Ceremony and Dinner at the St. Charles Convention Center. They were among the 23 community, individual, business, and organization award recipients recognized Thursday night.
Spirit of Main Street Award for Dave Eames
Dave Eames received the Spirit of Main Street, Accredited Tier Award for his unwavering dedication, leadership, and vision, which has been instrumental to Downtown Lee's Summit Main Street's (DLSMS) revitalization successes.
Since 1990, Dave Eames and his family have called Downtown Lee's Summit home. This eventually led to volunteering with DLSMS as the business owner of Fossil Forge. In 2013, Dave joined the DLSMS board of directors and presided as president from 2017-2021, helping lead the organization through a period of significant growth and recognition. Major milestones under his leadership include hosting the 2018 Main Street Now Conference's Big Bash and winning the American Planning Association's Great Neighborhood Award.
Dave's impact is visible throughout Downtown Lee's Summit and beyond. He's designed banners and event logos as well as fabricated the downtown information kiosks from his home garage while serving as chair of DLSMS's Design Committee. He championed the return of neon signage to downtown where there are now more than 60 neon signs inside and out throughout downtown. His innovative cultural program, Neon Nights, opens his studio to showcase this distinctive craft to packed crowds. In 2015, he began financially investing in Downtown Lee's Summit by renovating properties. Beyond Lee's Summit, Dave has contributed his expertise to communities across Missouri and Kansas by preserving neon signage. He was recognized as Citizen of the Year by Mayor Bill Baird in 2024.
Dave Eames embodies what it means to be a champion of downtown, blending his personal skills with leadership, volunteerism, and collaboration.
Creative New Promotion Award for Merry Swiftmas Event
Downtown Lee's Summit Main Street received the Creative New Promotion, Accredited Tier Award for their Merry Swiftmas event—a Taylor Swift inspired, 35th birthday celebration. This birthday celebration showcased why Downtown Lee's Summit Main Street is a Great American Main Street Award-winning Accredited Main Street program with a stellar reputation in historic preservation and revitalization, as well as excellence in event planning and creative promotions.
Downtown Lee's Summit Main Street's volunteers crafted Merry Swiftmas as a joint birthday celebration since they coincidentally share a birthday with Taylor Swift. Merry Swiftmas became the most anticipated special event of 2024 in Lee's Summit. The organization went all in and brought the magic of Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour to Downtown Lee's Summit, where they raised over $25,000 for their organization, sold 800 tickets to Merry Swiftmas, and 300 t-shirts.
During Merry Swiftmas, Downtown Lee's Summit was able to spotlight local businesses in Downtown to boost sales and provide a creative, over-the-top experience for residents and visitors through planned activities including pop-up bars, special attractions, merchandise, themed food & drink, and more.
About Downtown Lee's Summit Main Street, Inc.
Downtown Lee's Summit Main Street strives to promote, enhance, and preserve the heart of their city by cultivating a diverse mix of businesses, cultural and family-friendly events, unique housing options, and inclusive public spaces. They believe that their downtown is the past, present, and future heart of their community.
For more information on these awards contact Downtown Lee's Summit Main Street's Executive Director Donnie Rodgers at donnie@downtownls.org or 816-246-6598.
About Missouri Main Street Connection
Missouri Main Street Connection is the leading statewide nonprofit organization devoted to preservation-based economic development. Through the Main Street America™ movement and our partners, we empower community revitalization by celebrating, supporting, and sustaining Missouri historic commercial districts in both rural and urban settings. Since 2006, Missouri Main Street districts have seen $1.4 billion in public and private investment and MMSC has worked in over 150 communities. These Missouri Main Street communities and districts are thriving and vibrant by engaging the community members in revitalization strategies to create experiences that preserve their history and culture.
Follow Missouri Main Street Connection on Facebook @MissouriMainStreetConnection and Instagram @MOmainstreet.
For additional information, contact State Director Gayla Roten at 417-334-3014.