LS Lowdown: ⚽ World Cup Fridays are coming to Green St!

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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.

  • 🏰 Heritage: The 2,000-man army that built New Longview.

  • ⚽ LS Goal 26: “Football Fridays” get the green light.

  • 📉 Safety First: Why property crime dropped 17% last year.

  • 🗳️ City Council Candidates Face Off: Differing opinions on apartments & growth.

I was out of town early in the week, and while it’s always nice to get away, there is something about being back home in Lee’s Summit that just feels like a deep breath. I was pulling back into town – caffeine firmly in hand, obviously – and as I passed the red-tile roofs of New Longview, I started thinking about how much history we pack into one city.
Before it was the burbs, it was dubbed “The World’s Most Beautiful Farm.” In 1913, millionaire lumber baron R.A. Long used an army of 2,000 workers – including Belgian craftsmen and Sicilian stonemasons – to transform nearly 1,780 acres of raw land into a sprawling agricultural masterpiece.
The heart of the farm was Long’s daughter, Loula Long Combs. An international equestrian icon, she kept her prized horses in a 45,000-square-foot Show Horse Barn. Today, that barn has been creatively repurposed as Longview Farm Elementary School. It gives local students a great excuse for why their homework was ‘eaten’ – though, these days, there are more desks than hay bales inside. 😜

Happening Around Town

Get Ready for “Goal 26”

Council just approved $50,000 for Football Fridays. During the World Cup tournament, Green Street will transform into a massive fan zone with live music, yard games, and themes like “Boots on the Pitch.” It’s going to be the place to be for the ultimate soccer summer.

Say Yes to the (Free) Dress

Prom Magic at Woods Chapel: A huge shoutout to the volunteers at Woods Chapel Church who wrapped up another successful Prom Boutique this week. They helped hundreds of KC-area students find their perfect red carpet look for free, ensuring that every student can head to prom feeling like a star.

City Council Candidates Face Off

With the April 7th municipal elections approaching, candidates from Districts 2, 3, and 4 recently participated in a Chamber of Commerce forum. Housing is the dominant debate topic, with candidates heavily divided on the city’s current pace of apartment growth, the need to prioritize affordable single-family starter homes, and whether the city’s long-term IGNITE comprehensive plan needs to be re-evaluated. I will share a more in-depth recap of this forum and the mayoral forum next week.

Douglas Street Project Public Meeting

Residents interested in local infrastructure should mark their calendars for a public meeting on Thursday, March 26, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The meeting will cover the Southeast Douglas Street corridor improvements (from Blue Parkway to Fourth Street), which aim to enhance safety, drainage, and add pedestrian and bicycle amenities. Construction is expected to start in spring 2027.

Paragon Star Developments

A public hearing is set next week to consider the Paragon Star Apartments Amended and Restated LCRA Redevelopment Plan. The developer, Grayson Capital, LLC, is requesting a sales and use tax exemption on construction materials for the apartments, which would result in an estimated $1.09 million savings for the company. Construction is expected to commence in 2026.

⏪ The LS Loop

What happened while you were living your life last week.

City Council:

📉 Crime Stats: Police Chief Travis Forbes reported that overall crime dropped 13.5% in 2025. The standout? A 17% decrease in property crime, thanks to new tech like drones and a specialized retail theft unit.
🧱 A New Gateway: Council reached a consensus on the “Replica with the Arch” design for the new monument at M-291 and Hwy 150. It’s an illuminated, modern nod to our traditional branding that will welcome everyone to the south side.
🤝 Backing the Blue: A new three-year labor agreement was advanced with the Fraternal Order of Police to keep our department competitive and fully staffed.

Board of Education:

The board didn’t hold a formal meeting this week. Instead, they hosted a “Dinner with the Board” session to talk specifically about the Prop C waiver on the April 7th ballot. It was a more informal setting designed for community members to get their questions answered before heading to the polls.

❤️ Non-Profit Spotlight: Lee’s Summit Social Services (LSSS)

More than just a pantry – they are a safety net for Lee’s Summit.

Massive Local Impact: In their most recent annual review, LSSS provided over $1.7 million in assistance to our neighbors. They served more than 2,900 individuals, ensuring that families in Lee’s Summit don’t have to choose between a meal and a roof over their heads.

The “One-Stop” Resource: beyond the pantry, LSSS provides a vital safety net through utility and rent assistance, prescription funding, and emergency medical support.

Current “High-Need” Volunteer Slots:

  • Pickup Drivers: They specifically need drivers on Thursday mornings (8:00 AM – 10:00 AM) to help with food pickups.

  • Friday Office Help: If you have some time on Friday afternoons (1:00 PM – 3:30 PM), they need a hand with front-office administrative tasks.

How to Support: Their Thrift Shop (108 SE 4th St.) is a double win – you can find great local treasures, and every dollar spent goes directly back into their emergency assistance funds.

🎸 Live & Local

Where to find the best tunes this week.

Sunday, March 8:

  • Sunday Jam at “The V” | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM | VFW Post 5789

Wednesday, March 11:

  • Blues Experience with Nick Schnebelen | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM | 1909 Club

Thursday, March 12:

Friday, March 13:

Saturday, March 14:

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.

Sunday, March 8

  • 🤖 R7 Robotics Alliance Open House: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Lee’s Summit. Come see the incredible tech our local students are building at each high school.

Monday, March 9

Tuesday, March 10

Wednesday, March 11

Thursday, March 12

Friday, March 13

Saturday, March 14

Sunday, March 15

☘️ Shamrock the Block

Since the party has moved to the new Green Street location (209 SE Green St.), the layout is a bit different this year. Here’s the mom’s cheat sheet for the morning:

  • 10:00 AM – Party Kicks Off: The giant playground opens. This is the best time to hit the inflatable obstacle course and mini-golf before the lines get long.

  • 10:30 AM – The Gold Coin Hunt: This is the big one! It’s for ages 8 and under. They’ll be hunting for green and gold coins for a chance to win prizes. Make sure to be near the Green Street countdown area a few minutes early.

Ongoing Fun:

  • ShamROCK Painting: Hosted by Alyssa’s Wishes.

  • Bubbletastic: Bouncing around with bubbles (always a hit for the toddlers).

  • Lucky Eats: Grab kid-approved treats from Chef Aristo’s Curbside, Indigo Creperie, or a much-needed Frost Coffee and Tea for yourself.

✍️ Help Me Shape the Lowdown

The drop in crime stats is huge news, but I want to know – do you feel safer in Lee’s Summit lately? Or is there a specific area where you’d like to see more “drone eyes” or patrol? Hit reply and let me know.

There’s something about seeing Downtown Lee’s Summit covered in green that reminds you why we live here. We go from serious City Council talk about million-dollar budgets on Tuesday to hunting for gold coins and dodging bubbles on Saturday. It’s loud, it’s a little chaotic, and it usually requires an extra energy drink to get through – but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Thanks for being part of the Lowdown crew!

– Jen

 Editor, Lee’s Summit Lowdown

P.S. If you see me at the Gold Coin Hunt on Saturday morning, I’ll be the one holding an Alani Lime Slush in one hand and likely being “volunteered” to hold a jacket and all the green candy and swag my kiddo can snag in the other. Come say hi! ☘️

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