The Lee’s Summit City Council in April gave initial approval to Cityscape Residential’s $52 million plan to redevelop the former Lee’s Summit United Methodist Church structure into a 276-unit multifamily complex.

The proposed project at the corner of 2nd and Douglas streets would preserve a portion of the old church and incorporate it into the new design plan. The project will also include a private parking garage, funded by a TIF plan.

“We appreciate the city council’s vote of support for our plan and incentives package,” Cityscape Residential Partner Jim Thomas told LSEDC. “Both were absolutely critical for us to proceed.”

The project faced an uphill climb, with many residents voicing con- cerns about its impact on property values, parking, and sanitary sewer capacity. In the end, Council approved the redevelopment plan. Thomas said construction could begin by the end of 2019.

“The long approvals process did allow us to show that the development will be a significant financial benefit for Lee’s Summit and will enable us to save the 1920s church building structure,” Thomas added.

“I was especially touched by the many, many neighbors and community members who showed up, meeting after meeting, to lend their voices of support for a vibrant downtown Lee’s Summit, and for our development’s role in maintaining that vibrancy. That pride in community is exactly why we chose to invest again in Lee’s Summit.”