This past Friday, Oct 31st, Paragon Star hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception to celebrate the completion of the new Diverging Diamond Intersection (DDI) at I-470 and View High Drive, a milestone in enhancing accessibility to the sports complex and surrounding regional destinations.

William H. Brown, Chief Operating Officer of Paragon Star, welcomed attendees and acknowledged the team members and partners who helped make the $13 million project possible. “This project has been in the works for some time, and while mother nature shifted our schedule slightly, we’re excited to open all four ramps serving I-470 very soon,” Brown said.

The project, which includes right-of-way acquisition, design, and construction, was undertaken by Paragon Star on behalf of the I-470 Western Gateway Transportation Development District (TDD). Brown expressed gratitude to MODOT, the City of. Lee’s Summit, and the Western Gateway TDD for their leadership, direction, and funding support.

• Flip Short, CEO and Owner of Paragon Star, who provided the vision and capital investment behind the 300-acre regional destination project. Short’s previous ventures include building and selling a pharmaceutical chain, a laboratory focused on organ transplant testing, and a company in the memorialization sector.
• Mayor William Baird of Lee’s Summit, Chair of the I-470 Western Gateway TDD, who has worked closely with Paragon Star on this and other initiatives.
• Jon Patterson, Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives, representing Lee’s Summit and a long-time supporter of the project.
• Warren K. Erdman, Chair of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, recognized by Brown as a trusted and influential leader for decades in both civic and professional roles.

Brown also thanked the Lee’s Summit City Council members present — Mia Prier, John Lovell, and Cynda Rader — and highlighted the contributions of Michael Park and Jim Preisig from the Western Gateway TDD Board. The project’s design was led by GBA, a long-standing Kansas City-based engineering firm, with construction by Pyramid Construction.

Flip Short, CEO and Owner of Paragon Star, spoke about his vision for creating a regional destination centered around sports, recreation, and entertainment. He emphasized Paragon Star’s commitment to building a best-in-class sports facility through strong partnerships and collaboration. Short highlighted the complex’s growing impact, noting that tournaments at Paragon Star regularly generate more than 700 hotel room nights, with major events like the upcoming ECNL Regional Tournament in December expected to draw teams from over 28 states.

The new intersection and improved access to Paragon Star is expected to further strengthen the region’s tourism and economic development, making it easier for families, athletes, and visitors to reach the complex and enjoy its growing calendar of events.

• Creation of a regional destination for sports, recreation, and entertainment.
• Collaboration with MODOT, City of Lee’s Summit, Western Gateway TDD, and local and state officials.
• Commitment to a best-in-class facility that continues to draw national-level tournaments.
• Celebration of community leaders and stakeholders who made the project possible.