LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. — The city of Lee’s Summit will close an intersection leading into downtown as it begins the Southwest Third Street improvement project.
The intersection at SW Third Street and SW Jefferson Street closes from Feb. 24 until early April. A detour is available to downtown via SW Second Street to SW Market Street.
Local businesses will also be accessible while work is ongoing.
The improvement project focuses on accessibility and infrastructure updates to the corridor from Blue Parkway to Jefferson Street. There will be added pedestrian and bicycling features by continuing the sidewalks into downtown, constructing a multi-use path and new street lights.
The improvements are exciting for the owners of the Historic Browning Bed and Breakfast. Cynthia and Kevin Samsel said they see a bigger potential for more people to stay with them who are riding the Amtrak or biking the Katy Trail because of the bike lanes.
"I'm just looking forward to having it completed so we can spruce up the front of the house," Cynthia said. "One of the things is people do race by Third Street. Seems so that the new design will slow traffic down."
Kevin said the changes will just enhance the city's charm.
“It’s going to extend the charm and the character of the downtown all the way past our house and down the road,” Kevin said.
The city will also replace pavement, curb, storm drainage and water line infrastructure. Utility relocation has been ongoing for the last two years, giving some business owners a headache.
For Liz Adee, owner of 80Luxe Salon along Third Street, the promised improvements keep her optimistic.
“We really look forward to an improved Third Street stretch from 50 Highway all the way to downtown," Adee said. "Downtown is such a desirable location for people to go that seeing our businesses on the way will be really beneficial to all of us. And with new sidewalks and street lights and unification of the area, it's going to benefit us in the long run."
Next door to Adee’s salon are new businesses Serenitea and The Paperback Bakery. Serenitea’s owner, Angi Byer, said her shop picked its location because of the proximity to downtown.
“I feel like the city is putting their arms around us and are including us as part of the plans," Byer said. "When they do renovations downtown, they're including this part of Third Street in that so in the long term, it'll be beneficial to us. Even though, in the short term, it might be a headache for people getting here."
The city’s website states work will run from February to November 2025. The project is budgeted for $7.95 million and is funded by the 1/2 cent sales tax.
That sales tax was approved by voters in 2017 to continue for another 15 years and allow money to be allocated for infrastructure projects such as this.
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KSHB 41 reporter Claire Bradshaw covers eastern Jackson County, including Blue Springs and Independence. Share your story idea with Claire.
