Froelich Pycior Companies, which purchased the buildings currently occupied by Hartley's plans to keep the historic feel the store supplanted during its 54-year stay in downtown.

The formal process to turn the space that once was Hartley's and Vogue Theater into retail, office and residential space began last week during the Lee's Summit Planning Commission hearing.

The commission unanimously approved the plan, and it is projected to go before the City Council, although no date has been set as the project still needs to go before the Lee's Summit Tax Increment Financing Commission.

FPC's development plan begins with the redevelopment of the Hartley's block at the corner of Douglas and Third streets. The two-and one-story building would be turned into retail space ont he first floor and office space on the second floor.

The former Vogue Theater building and the parking lot south of the building would be removed. Two- and three-story buildings are proposed on the site, consisting of retail on the first floor along Douglas Street and 18 residential lofts with eight enclosed parking spaces. A central courtyard is proposed for the residential lofts.

The chiropractic office building along Third Street and the warehouse adjacent to the former Vogue Theater also would be removed. A courtyard area and 24 surface parking spaces would be provided.

City staff has determined there is adequate public parking both on- and off-street. The entire restoration is projected to cost $12.6 million.

The lot area of redevelopment is 43,083 square feet, and the amount of building area is 46,214 square feet, with 14,434 square feet for retail, 4,500 square feet for office space and 27,280 square feet for residential lofts.

City staff recommended approval of the preliminary development plan.

Froelich Pycior Companies began the project with design charrettes in August 2005. FPC President Kurt Pycior met with members of the city and downtown merchants. The downtown community has been especially supportive of the plan, Pycior said.

'They've been overwhelmingly supportive. I got a standing ovation when I presented to (Downtown Lee's Summit Main Street). They were very positive and very thankful someone was going to work on downtown,' Pycior said.

Hartley's Home Furnishings co-owners, brothers Cliff and Dale Hartley, also got behind the project once it was presented, Pycior said.

'Those guys and I have worked side-by-side. They wanted to make sure this was the best for downtown, and they said it was,' Pycior said.

If the project is approved, this will be Pycior's third development project in downtown Lee's Summit. he also built the Main Street Centre and the Pycior Froelich Companies building at 306 S.E. Third St.