For more than a century, Green Street served as a traditional roadway through downtown Lee’s Summit, Missouri. But as the city of about 100,000 just southeast of Kansas City grew and evolved, community leaders began asking a different question: What could this space become if it were designed for people first?

The answer led to one of the most transformative downtown projects in the city’s history: reimagining Green Street as a vibrant, pedestrian focused destination that invites residents and visitors to gather, connect, and experience the heart of Lee’s Summit in a new way.

“What the area needed was something for people…not just a better street – but a place,” said Darren Varner, Olsson’s lead landscape architect on the project.

A vision shaped over time

The Green Street project evolved over years of planning, design exploration, and community involvement. Through a collaborative charrette process with the public and close partnership with city leadership, developer, architect and contractor, we explored what downtown needed – not just today, but for generations to come.

“What the area needed was something for people … not just a better street – but a place.”

City leaders and project partners recognized the opportunity to fundamentally reimagine how the space could function. Removing the street created room for a flexible, programmed public plaza that could host farmers markets, concerts, ceremonies, large city festivals, and everyday gatherings.

“That was the boldest move,” Darren said. “Taking Green Street out – that changed everything.”

Designing a place, not just infrastructure

Throughout the project’s evolution, we partnered with the city to translate the community’s vision into a functional, welcoming public space. The new gathering place was coined “Green Street” as a nod to the road that was removed.

“We were really problem solving the whole way,” Darren said. “Listening to the city and residents, adapting as the vision changed, and figuring out how to make it work both technically and experientially.”

As plans took shape, the focus shifted toward creating an environment that felt distinctly local and balanced activity, openness, and greenery. Our landscape architects and engineers led the site and civil design, streetscape design, lighting, art placement, and the creation of The Wickets, which is a sculptural centerpiece that anchors the plaza.

“We were problem solving the whole way. Listening to the city and residents, adapting as the vision changed, and figuring out how to make it work both technically and experientially.”

“You walk through [Green Street] and think, ‘I never imagined we’d have something like this here,’” said Darren. “It’s the kind of place that feels special. It’s somewhere you expect to see in a much larger city. Yet it still captures the quaint, endearing feeling that the city is renowned for. The community and visitors will be able to enjoy it and add to it for many years.”

A new experience for visitors

Unveiled in 2025, Green Street is a bustling gathering space designed to support everything from large community celebrations to smaller, everyday moments. Visitors can enjoy the all-season farmers market, open air pavilion, playground, public art, green spaces, and more.

Darren says Green Street has something for everyone – from relaxation on the lawn to yoga and movie nights or exploring local restaurants and businesses downtown.

This is just the beginning, he says. On the horizon are plans for a boutique hotel, food hall, and new housing.

“Now, Green Street is a place where people want to stay and not just pass through,” Darren said.