Kansas City Council Holds Historic Building Hostage During Election Season

Naive public radio newsies were suckered into believing one of the oldest tricks in KCMO politics. 

In much the same way that property taxes aren't scheduled until AFTER election season . . . Sentimental issues like building preservation won't be decided any time soon.

This power move is transparent for all of the wrong reasons and we're now taking bets about the survival of this building after next year's election . . .

It took swift action from 4th District Council members Eric Bunch and Katheryn Shields, whose district includes midtown, to halt the proposed demolition. Last week, the two applied to put the buildings on the Kansas City Register of Historic Places, creating six months of breathing room during which nothing can be done to the structures. If the buildings secure historic landmark status, they become eligible for historic tax credits.

Normally, such requests for historic designation are filed by the building owners. Bunch said the last time a similar action was taken was when officials acted to preserve Union Station around three decades ago.

“I realize that it's a fairly extraordinary measure in order to save this building,” Bunch said. “But we felt that this was important enough, historic enough, to move forward with a way to save it.”

The historic landmark application will be reviewed by the Kansas City Historic Preservation Commission and requires City Council approval.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Kansas City Council members take 'extraordinary measure' to save historic Midtown buildings

The cluster of buildings on the corner of 31st and Main streets in midtown Kansas City is more than a century old. Their empty storefronts and brick and limestone exteriors face a bustling thoroughfare, and brightly painted murals cover their walls.