Hey Lee’s Summit! Here’s what’s happening this week!

Welcome back to the Lee’s Summit Lowdown! I’m so glad you’re here.

Inside This Edition:
▫ Kindness Week: How to grab your “Kindness Passport” and spread some LS joy.
▫ Ward Road Transformation: The reconstruction plans you need to know before the open house.
▫ The City Council Recap: Why this meeting was like an intense family dinner.
▫ Live & Local: Your Valentine’s weekend guide to music and dining.

A Week of Kindness & Construction

Lee’s Summit, we have a big week ahead! While we are all prepping for the Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day, the City is asking us to slow down to spread some extra kindness and talk about our roads.

💖 Take Time to Be Kind Week (Feb 9–14)

Starting Monday, the City’s Human Relations Commission is kicking off “Take Time to Be Kind Week.” This isn’t just about feeling good; it’s about active positivity in our own backyard.

• The Kindness Passport: Pick up a Positivity Bingo passport at City Hall, complete acts like helping a neighbor, and turn it in for a prize!

• The Gratitude Station: Stop by the City Hall lobby to create a card or sign for a stranger.

🚧 The Scoop: The Ward Road Transformation

Mark your calendar for Thursday, Feb 12, for an open-house at City Hall (4:30–6:30 PM) to discuss improvements to Ward Road from NW O’Brien to Blue Parkway.

• What’s Changing? Total reconstruction including new pavement, curbs, and most importantly, new bicycle lanes and sidewalks on both sides.

• The “Meet the Builder” Factor: This is your chance to meet the contractor (V.F. Anderson) and the engineers. There’s no formal presentation, so you can drop in, look at the maps, and ask your specific questions about how this will affect your commute.

⏪ The LS Loop

What happened while you were living your life last week.

🏛️ The City Hall Recap

🏗️ Midstates Warehouse: The Big Win

The Council approved a massive $80M expansion for Midstates Distributing at 420 SE Thompson Drive (Bill 26-021).

• The Impact: 500,000 sq. ft. addition, 165 retained jobs, and 90 new ones.

• The Deal: A 75% tax abatement on the new value for 10 years.

• The Vote: Unanimously passed (7-0) after staff clarified the project brings new revenue that wouldn’t exist if the company left.

🩺 Benefits Shakeup: Saving Taxpayer Dollars

The Council hired Alliant Insurance Services (Bill 26-023) to overhaul the city’s health benefits.

• The Move: After a $2M cost spike last year, the city is exploring a “self-funded” model to contain rising premiums.

• The Vibe: Mayor Baird focused on transparency, ensuring no hidden commissions for the new brokers.

🛑 Pause Button: The rezoning for Legacy Ridge (near Hook Rd) has been remanded back to the Planning Commission for Feb 26 to allow for a revised plan.

• Note for Neighbors: A meeting is scheduled for Feb 9 at Resurrection Church if you want to see the new details.

🔥 The Drama: The Public Comments section was unusually spicy this week.

🤗 Feel Good moments: The Council balanced the tension with two great spotlights:

• 🐾 Animal Control: Rodney Wagner shared that our shelter handles 4,000 animals a year with high adoption rates. He calls it “fancy farming.”

• 🤝 Co-Responders: We got a look at the mental health professionals who ride with police. Since calls doubled from 2020 to 2022, these “neutral voices” have become vital for de-escalating crises.

This meeting was like an intense family dinner. We planned a big home addition (Midstates), discussed changing our health insurance plan to save cash (Alliant), and had a very loud argument at the table (Public Comments) – but we ended the night watching cute dog videos (Animal Control) to calm down.

🌟 Non-Profit of the Week: Project Happiness LSMO

To keep the kindness week vibes flowing, I want to highlight a local group doing incredible work: Project Happiness LSMO. They are dedicated to uplifting mental health and spreading joy through community support. I loved taking walks when everything was shut down during the pandemic and seeing their positive yard signs brightening everyone’s day!

🎁 Reader Giveaway: I have a special prize from Project Happiness to give away! To enter, just hit reply to this email and tell me one small act of kindness you’ve witnessed in Lee’s Summit lately. I’ll pick a winner on Friday!

🍴 Local Eats & Treats: What’s for Dinner?

Valentine’s Day Edition

❤️ Third Street Social

The Menu: They will be offering their full menu of social classics and a curated Valentine’s Limited Menu featuring seasonal specials.The Crispy Fried Brussels & Cauliflower is one of my favorite appetizers. (yes, you read that right! Brussels sprouts! Don’t knock it until you try it!)
Availability: These specials are available from February 12th through February 15th, so you can celebrate early if you want to avoid the Saturday night crowds.
Pro-Tip: They are currently taking reservations for parties of 1 to 8. If you’re planning on Saturday the 14th, book as soon as possible—it is one of the toughest tables to snag in town!

✨ Other Notable Romantic Spots

Red Door Woodfired Grill: Try the “Sweethearts Menu” featuring the coffee-rubbed Bourbon Strip or Faroe Island Salmon.
Station 7 Tavern: Hosting an intimate 6-course “Fire and Ice” tasting meal on Feb 14 ($64.95/person).
Roots Seasonal Cuisine: They are also hosting a dedicated Valentine’s Day dinner with a focused, upscale romantic menu.

🎸 Live & Local

Where to find the best tunes this week.

• Karaoke: Feb 10 @ 8:00 PM | The Black Rabbit

• Blues Experience w/ Nick Schnebelen: Feb 11 @ 7:00 PM | The 1909 Club. 

• Garry Lincoln (Country): Feb 12: Iron Horse Bar and Grill

• Soul Fundamentals w/ Julian Goff: Feb 12 @ 7:00 PM | The 1909 Club

• Discord and Rhyme: Feb 13 | Konrad’s Kitchen and Tap House

• The Jackie Myers Trio: Feb 13 @ 7:00 PM | The 1909 Club

• Tylor Lyon: Feb 13 @ 8:00 PM | Llywelyn’s

• Womanish Girl: Feb 14 @ 7:00 PM | The 1909 Club

• Echoes From the Basement: Feb 14 | Konrad’s Kitchen and Tap House

• Wonderfuzz: Feb 14 @ 8:00 PM | Llywelyn’s

• Jake Reese & Ireland: Feb 14 @ 8:00 PM | Iron Horse Bar and Grill

Know a local musician I missed? Hit reply and let me know who’s playing next weekend!

📝 The Weekly Lineup

Put these on your radar so you don’t miss out.

• Super Bowl Sunday All-day Happy Hour: Feb 8 | Llywelyn’s

• Non-Lethal Personal Defense: Feb 8 @ 2:00-5:00 PM | Bridge Space

• Pajama Storytime: Feb 9 @ 6:30 PM | MCPL East Lee’s Summit

• Music Bingo: Feb 9 @ 7:00 PM | Craft Putt 

• Adult Game Night: Feb 10 @ 6:30pm-8:30 PM | MCPL Colbern Branch

• The Frostlight Festival: One-shot D&D Adventure: Feb 10 @ 5:30-8:30 PM | MCPL Lee’s Summit

• LIVE TRIVIA: Feb 10 @ 7:00 PM | Konrad’s

• Galentine’s Day: Feb 11 @ 5:00 PM | The Babe Standard

• Giddy Up, Valentine Sip and Shop, Feb 11, | Green Street 

• Pub Trivia : Feb 11 @ 7:00 PM | Llywelyn’s

• Remembering Lee’s Summit: Feb 12 @ 6:30 PM | Bridge Space

• Valentine’s Day Tattoo Flash event: Feb 13 @ 12:00PM | The Cherry Bomb Tattoo Co.

• Murder Mystery Mini Golf: Feb 13 @ 6:00PM | Craft Putt

🗣️ Heard Around Town: The Great Density Debate

The 8-story JKV expansion has sparked two main perspectives in my inbox lately:

• Perspective A: Concerns about scale, height, and pressure on local infrastructure.

• Perspective B: A belief that density is vital to prevent sprawl and keep taxes sustainable.

What do you think? Are you worried about the “character” of the skyline, or are you ready for a more dense, walkable Lee’s Summit? Hit reply to let me know your thoughts!

✍️ Help Me Shape the Lowdown

Big Game Sunday is here! It won’t be the same without the Chiefs! I’m curious: Are you actually watching for the athletic excellence, or are you just here for the social aspect?

Are you…

• The Die-Hard: I know every stat, I’m wearing my lucky jersey, and don’t talk to me during a 3rd down. 🏈

• The Snack-lete: I’m here for the 7-layer dip, the commercials, and the halftime show. 🥨

Reply to this email and let me know or share your favorite game time recipe – I might feature the winning recipe next week!

Thanks for being part of the Lowdown crew!

— Jen

 Editor, Lee’s Summit Lowdown

P.S. I’m already planning out our March editions! Is there a corner of Lee’s Summit you’ve always been curious about, or a local “mystery” you want me to solve? Reply to this email and tell me what you want to see more of in your inbox. I’m all ears (and snacks, given it’s game day)! 🏈🥨

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