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.
Once it hits zero on Friday, Aug. 15, the public will finally get to explore the Lee’s Summit farmers market area and gathering space that’s been in the works for well over a decade.
The nearly 3-acre spot around Southeast Third and Southeast Green streets features a lawn with an outdoor canopy, public art installations and — perhaps most notably — a new, indoor-outdoor farmers market pavilion.
Lee’s Summit Mayor Bill Baird, like many others in the city, is eagerly awaiting opening day.
“I’ve been planning this my entire time in office,” said Baird, who’s in his second term after being first elected in 2018. “I can’t do it justice.”
The Star got an early look at the space, which includes an inclusive children’s playground, sculptures, and space for live performances.
The new site of the downtown farmers market will hold 50 vendors inside, with room for another 50 outside. The 17,000-square-foot pavilion will allow the city to extend the farmers market season into the colder months. Its 10 garage-style doors open to a spacious lawn area out front.
Arches and sculptures surround the area and light up at night in a section that Baird calls the “wicket garden.”
“We’re trying to create a space that you really can’t get anywhere else in the Midwest,” he said. “An inviting, welcoming atmosphere in a park-like environment.”
The space aims to host various music and arts events.
Lee’s Summit’s downtown as a ‘regional destination’
Though the project’s initial planning phases began years before, voters approved a $600,000 bond for the project in 2013.
The grand total ultimately tallied up to $43 million, Baird said.
“I know that’s a large number … we’ve had years and years to work on this,” he said. “We have multiple funding sources.”
The change in Lee’s Summit’s farmers market space further speaks to the city’s growth over the years. Baird said he’s begun to see the downtown area as a popular spot for young professionals.
As more developments pop up around the city — including Discovery Park and Streets of West Pryor — Baird believes the city will become a place to visit.
“This is going to make us a regional destination, our downtown that is,” he said. “Because you’ll want to go experience it at least once, and then when you do, I think you’ll want to come back.”
Opening events at Green Street Market
Opening weekend will kick off with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 15 at 6 p.m., featuring food trucks and live music.
The farmers market will open at the space the next day from 8 a.m. to noon. On Sunday, yoga and pilates classes, yard games and more will be available.
For the weekend’s full schedule, visit the development’s website at cityofls.net/green-street.
Meanwhile, Overland Park is redoing its downtown farmers market space, which will also feature an indoor-outdoor pavilion. The new Overland Park Farmers Market hopes to open by spring 2026.
This story was originally published August 13, 2025 at 5:15 AM.