Big Changes Ahead: Lee’s Summit Development Projects
Lee’s Summit is buzzing with excitement as it puts into motion a slew of impressive development projects. With the city’s population on the rise over the past few decades, local officials are keen to meet the demand for more housing, retail, and office spaces. This year, several large-scale plans were set in motion, positioned to bring in what could amount to a whopping $1.7 billion in new investments! Let’s take a closer look at what’s on the horizon for this growing community.
The Village at Discovery Park
One of the standout projects currently underway is The Village at Discovery Park. This ambitious venture is spearheaded by a development team led by Columbia-based Intrinsic Development. Covering 268 acres along the border of Lee’s Summit and Unity Village, it’s envisioned as a “live, work, stay, and play” community. The first phase of this project is already under construction and is expected to ring in at about $959 million once fully realized.
Phase one will feature 585 apartments, two hotels (a 107-room Home2 Suites by Hilton and a 123-room Marriott Towneplace Suites), and a combined 80,400 square feet of office, retail, and restaurant space. For recreational lovers, there’s a delightful 4-acre lake planned, perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding, along with lush green spaces for community gatherings. The project team has set an optimistic completion target for this phase by October 2026.
Discovery Crossing
The excitement extends to the forthcoming phase, named Discovery Crossing. With preliminary plans now awaiting the City Council’s approval, this phase is poised to add 84,650 square feet of commercial space across nine single-story buildings. While they haven’t announced any tenants just yet, the developers report a flurry of interest, including from businesses keen to plant their roots in Lee’s Summit. If everything aligns, we could see construction kick off soon, with completion expected by late 2026 or early 2027.
Green Street Project
Another thrilling project on the way is the Green Street Project, close to City Hall. This initiative aims to enrich the city with a mix of public community spaces and private developments. With a $44 million investment, the public components include a four-season farmer’s market, an outdoor performance area named Green Street Lawn, and a whimsical pavilion called Green Street Grove. Set to open by spring 2025, this project promises something for everyone, including kids’ playgrounds and charming art walks.
Lee’s Summit Crossing
On the northeast corner of Missouri Route 291 and Missouri Route 150 lies the future site of Lee’s Summit Crossing. Led by Sporting Kansas City co-owner Robb Heineman, this planned development spans 177 acres and could bring in around $407.9 million in investment. The scope of this project is expansive, featuring options for residential, commercial, and sports-focused developments. The latest iteration includes plans for a 100-room hotel and over 526 rental units.
Oldham Village
Shifting gears, we also have Oldham Village, led by Drake Development LLC in the wake of their successful Streets of West Pryor project. Set to revamp an old industrial site previously housing an auto auction facility, the plans for Oldham Village stretch across approximately 66 acres. The initial phase promises to include several big-name establishments like Chick-fil-A and Starbucks, along with a 120,000-square-foot fieldhouse for the parks department, significantly enhancing local recreational facilities.
Future Opportunities
In addition to these plans explicitly outlined, there’s also land controlled by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that has been under discussion for development possibilities. Spanning an impressive 4,203 acres, this site might soon be unlocked for single-family homes, multifamily housing, office spaces, and perhaps even educational institutions, as city officials explore opportunities to optimize the space.
Lee’s Summit is clearly on its way to becoming a bustling hub of commerce, leisure, and residential life, and it’s thrilling to witness the transformation. If all these projects come to fruition, it will undoubtedly make Lee’s Summit an even more attractive place for both current residents and newcomers alike!
