Lee's Summit Police South Substation
This facility received the Law Enforcement Facilities III Bronze Award in the 2025 Officer Station Design Awards.
Official Project Name: Lee's Summit Police South Substation
Project City/State: Lee's Summit, MO
Date Completed: August 21, 2025
Chief/Director: Police Chief Travis Forbes
Project Area (sq. ft.): 4,438
Total Cost: $2,604,383
Cost Per Square Foot: $586.84
Architect/Firm Name: Hoefer Welker
City/State: Kansas City, MO
Phone: (913) 307-3700
Website: hoeferwelker.com
Design Team: Ken Henton – Principal-In-Charge; Nick Lawler – Project Manager; Chris Krumrei – Senior Project Architect; Shannon Zlab – Project Architect; Emily Gaul – Interior Designer; BHC – Civil Engineer; J&S – Structural Engineers; Landworks Studio – Landscape Architect; Kelly Construction Group – General Contractor
Project Description
The Lee’s Summit Police South Substation exemplifies adaptive reuse in public safety architecture. Formerly Fire Station No. 5, the building was transformed into a fully equipped police substation extending officer reach and community connection in rapidly growing southern Lee’s Summit. Strategically located near Trailridge Elementary, Summit Lakes Middle School, and Lee’s Summit West High School, the substation offers a visible presence where families live and learn, reducing response times and strengthening neighborhood safety.
The existing apparatus bay became the heart of the design. Once sized for fire vehicles, the double-height space now serves as a bright, open workspace. Daylighting strategies bring ample natural light, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and creating an energizing environment that supports well-being and productivity. The layout promotes collaboration across shifts, with circulation designed to separate the public entry and community room from officer-only zones—an essential operational upgrade from the prior firehouse.
To provide a new identity and strengthen street presence, exterior materials and massing were redesigned with durable and energy-enhancing materials, while a moderate building addition provides key spaces for the officers. Inside, officer wellness was prioritized with decompression features including a break room with private outdoor patio, an onsite gym, and a quiet room for restorative time. Additional measures of secure parking, private officer entry, and an ICC-500 compliant storm shelter further promote staff safety and protection.
A centerpiece for community engagement, the substation features a large, flexible community room that quickly became a hub for meetings, school functions, and neighborhood groups. City officials noted how this “visible and genuine police presence helps foster trust and partnership with our citizens.”
Careful scope management and early estimating prevented value engineering, preserving design intent and staying within budget. The result is a facility that embodies resource stewardship, community integration, and enhanced officer performance.