Mallory Herrmann
citydesk@lstribune.net
The Longview Mansion is gleaming after a year of maintenance, repairs and renovation. Sunflower Development Group, who purchased the property nearly a year ago as part of ongoing historic preservation efforts in the New Longview area, welcomed elected officials and a number of stakeholders to a sneak peek event of the mansion’s grand opening.
Representatives from Sunflower Development Group, General Manager Kim Fowler and her team, members of the preservation coalition Longview Alliance, and the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce were present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 4.
They were joined by State Representative Gary Gross, Lee’s Summit Mayor Bill Baird, and Councilmembers Rob Binney, Trish Carlyle, Fred DeMoro, and Phyllis Edson.
Mark Moberly, director of development with Sunflower, acknowledged that some who had visited the facility weren’t sure what had changed exactly after the $3.5 million renovation. But much of that cost was to ensure structural stability and the integrity of the building for many years to come: HVAC and electrical systems, ADA accessibility and grounds work.
“This exemplifies what we can accomplish in a private/public partnership,” Baird remarked.
The city of Lee’s Summit approved a tax increment financing (TIF) in 2003 to aid in funding preservation of the mansion, the show horse arena, barns, main archway, pergola, and other structures.
The show horse arena was converted to become Longview Farm Elementary School, which opened in 2005, and the north archway was successfully rehabilitated. The mansion is the latest renovation project to be completed.
The historic mansion was completed in 1914 by lumber baron R.A. Long. It, along with 50 other farm structures, was touted as the “world’s most beautiful farm.”
The building is available to rent for events and has become a particularly popular spot for weddings. Located at 1200 SW Longview Park Dr. Lees Summit, MO 64081-2195. You can read more about the building, its history, and rental information at www.longviewmansion.com. General Manager, Kim Fowler (816) 761-6669 can assist you.
