Local

Four key developments reshaping Kansas City's suburbs

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

The articles all discuss recent changes in Kansas City's suburbs. They show how new markets, residential projects, and public spaces shape community life. They also highlight pushback or concerns from residents about the pace or direction of development.

A developer seeks to add a new Costco and fuel station as part of a large mixed-use project in Lee’s Summit. Plans call for new apartments and restaurants in the same area. In Olathe, residents succeeded in delaying a proposed cold storage warehouse due to safety and traffic concerns. Groups in Leawood push for safer walking and biking routes and want new community gathering spaces at former city buildings. Lee’s Summit plans to open a new farmers market pavilion. The new space will include a playground, room for vendors, and areas for performances.

Chairs line a green space near the playground and market entrance at the Green Street development on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Lee's Summit. By Emily Curiel

NO. 1: NEW KC AREA FARMERS MARKET SPACE TO OPEN AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE. SEE INSIDE

A countdown on the webpage for Green Street ticks down the minutes until its opening date. | Published August 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

A Lee’s Summit Costco could be on the way.

NO. 2: THE KANSAS CITY AREA COULD GET A NEW COSTCO. HERE’S WHERE IT’S PLANNED

A developer has filed plans to build a new Costco in Lee’s Summit. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Johnson County administration buildings in downtown Olathe

NO. 3: OLATHE NEIGHBORS WIN PUSH TO BLOCK NEW FROZEN FOOD WAREHOUSE — AT LEAST FOR NOW

Beth and John Reinhart first moved to Olathe’s Nottington Creek neighborhood because of its peaceful, rural atmosphere, Beth Reinhart said. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Taylor O'Connor

Jaclyn Penn stands for a portrait outside the old Leawood City Hall building on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Leawood, Kansas. Penn is among a group of residents pushing to convert the vacant structure into a community center. By Emily Curiel

NO. 4: MEET THE JOHNSON COUNTY MOMS LEADING THE PUSH TO MAKE A SPRAWLING SUBURB WALKABLE

When Kylee Markey lived in Brookside, she said she practically raised her young kids on the sidewalks. | Published August 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Madeline King

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.