Save Kansas City Southmoreland Mansion AND/OR Fight Luxury Skyscraper

We talked about this local real estate slap fight last month . . . Today the newspaper offers a bit more optimism and wordy back story . . .

A public bout will be fought on May 26 in front of the Kansas City Historic Preservation Commission, when a representative of the Vawters — who want the right to sell the property for whatever price and reason they see fit — vies against those who fear the worst.

To help keep the house from being razed — it is important to note that, currently, no one has applied for a permit to destroy the home — neighbors, against the homeowners’ wishes, have applied to have it placed on the Kansas City Register of Historic Places. The process alone, from the time of the application, keeps a property from being demolished for at least six months.

If the house is placed on the registry, the owners could still apply for a “certificate of appropriateness,” which would still allow a demolition. If that is denied, the building could stand for at least three more years

“We are unified in this,” Laura Burkhalter, president of the Southmoreland Neighborhood Association, said of their effort to preserve the home.

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

Could Kansas City mansion be torn down, replaced with a high-rise? Neighbors fight back

Here's the part no one is arguing about: The home at 4526 Warwick Blvd. is gorgeous. It's stately, Classical Revival, red brick and fronted by four towering Corinthian columns, a portico and white balustrade.