Grand Slam C-Store

[Midtownkid]

Damn, that's even worse!

[HalcyonKC]

Right now, the building is undergoing demolition inspections but it isn't gone yet. The first inspection failed.

Just curious, what's involved in a demolition inspection? 

[PumpkinStalker]

I am sorry sir, this building is not fit for demolition.  Maybe in 20 years.

[LindseyLohan]

why can you not find a decent fountain drink downtown? I went tonight figuring they would have new equipment and the desire to produce a fountain drink of at least middle quality. Very disappointed.

[staubio]

Okay, I need help and I need it fast.

The DNA is going to pursue the application for historic designation on the Grand Slam building. To do this, I need you guys to post any historical details you can find for the building as well as photos from any time period. Current photos outlining significant architectural features would be great.

Here is the text of the application. If any of you have information on these elements or the inclination to do some research, please post here. Let's used the combined effort of the forum to accomplish something!

City Planning and Development Department
Planning, Preservation and Urban Design
Landmarks Commission
26th Floor, City Hall
414 East 12th Street (816) 513-2902
Kansas City, Missouri 64106-2795 Fax (816) 513-2899
landmarkcommission@kcmo.org
Dear Applicant,
Application for designation of a local Historic Landmark or Historic District are filed with the
Landmarks Commission. The application will be reviewed by the Landmarks Commission at a
public hearing whereby a recommendation on the designation will be made.*
To enable the Commission to act promptly upon a designation, it is necessary to submit the
following:
1. A succinct, yet thorough statement of historic significance.
2. Photographs of the property(ies) from multiple points including photographs of
significant building features.
Please fill out the attached form. Landmarks Commission staff will contact you for any
additional information that may be required, and to discuss the schedule for Commission review.
Please feel free to contact the Landmarks Commission staff at 816-513-2902 to discuss your
designation at any point.
Thank you for your cooperation.
LANDMARKS COMMISSION
Bradley Wolf
Administrator
Case No.
(for office use only)
KANSAS CITY HISTORIC LANDMARK
Applicant:
Name ___________________________________________
Organization ___________________________________________
Street & Number ___________________________________________
Telephone Number ___________________________________________
Date Submitted ___________________________________________
Owner(s): _____________________________________________________________________
1. Name of Property/District: ____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
2. Address: ____________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
3. Legal Description: ___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
4. Function or Use: 5. Zoning District: ___________________
Category:
Building(s) Structure Site District* Object
* Number of properties being nominated.
(If more than one (1) attach additional sheets)
Description:
Describe the present and historic physical appearance. (Attach additional sheets if necessary.)
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Historical Statement:
Describe history of property/district. (Attach additional sheets if necessary.)
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING SIGNIFICANCE:
(check one or more applicable criteria)
The quality of significance in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering and culture is present in districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects that possess integrity of location, design, setting, material, workmanship, feeling and association and:
that are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our
history; or that are associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or that embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represent
the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and
distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or
that have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
Date(s) of Construction: ________________________
Period of Significance: _________________________
Architect/Builder: ______________________________
Describe significance of property/district as it relates to criteria checked above. (Attach additional sheets if
necessary.)
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Kansas City Register Designation
Fee Schedule
(1.) Historic Landmark.................................................................................
...$ 100.00
But, if the Building has been previously
listed in the National Register. ..............................................................$ 25.00
(2.) Historic District .....................................................................................$ 100.00
Plus, per building...................................................................................$ 100.00
Not to exceed a total of .........................................................................$1,000.00
But, if the building has been previously
listed in the National Register individually
or as part of a district.............................................................................$ 20.00
Plus, per building...................................................................................$ 20.00
Not to exceed.........................................................................................$ 200.00
Please return form to: Landmarks Commission of Kansas City
City Hall, 26th Floor
414 East 12th Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64106
Phone: 813-513-2902

[FangKC]

Staubio, I would contact the Historic Kansas City Foundation and get their advice about how to proceed getting the designation--since they do this sort of thing all the time.  They will probably advise DNA to hire a historic building survey researcher to gather information about the building.

http://www.historickansascity.org

Historic Kansas City Foundation 
201 Westport Road 
Kansas City  MO  64111

hkcf@historickansascity.org 
 
(816) 931-8448

Photo from 1950:



Photo from 1989:

[DaveKCMO]

Staubio, I would contact the Historic Kansas City Foundation and get their advice about how to proceed getting the designation--since they do this sort of thing all the time.  They will probably advise DNA to hire a historic building survey researcher to gather information about the building.

...or they'll tell you "we're aware of the situation and there's nothing we can do", which is what they told me when i called them about the grand opera house.

[FangKC]

Yeah, I've gotten that response from them as well. They are not very pro-active and I think they have little funding to work with. However, they might be able to direct DNA in how to approach the situation.

I would think the Landmarks Commission would also be able to direct you to building researchers.

[Beermo]

aren't you a little late? i would of thunk that the time to do this would of been before they started to tear it down.

good luck anyway.

[voltopt]

This photo is of the building that used to occupy the west side of the site along Grand - that building, and the one pictured to the south, were removed a few years ago for the parking lot that now features the C-Store.

[FangKC]

The remaining townhouse was part of a row along 6th Street clear to the corner. I'm just showing the context in how that remaining townhouse was part of the block at one time.

[kid a]

so sad...just found out about this on saturday. i do not know  why the city would even allow this.
more parking...awesome. my hopes for lightrail in kc has dwindled away.
so many people want to drive and park right in front of their destination.

i guess what i do not understand, if they needed parking, why didn't grand slam put parking where they
built the cheap, surburban style structure. freakin' ridiculous.

[PumpkinStalker]

That gas station is extremely, frustratingly tight.  Went Sunday and was boxed in for 5 minutes while some sketchy people loitered leisurely to the point the cashier came out and told them to get moving because people were trapped and waiting to exit.    Stupid decision to put as many pumps in as they did with such little ground.  A parking lot where a beautiful historic building used to stand is not going to help things much at all, and I won't be buying gas or liquor there anymore.

[AllThingsKC]

What time did you go?  Sometimes the time makes a difference.

All downtown gas stations are tight.  So, I try to get gas at the least busiest times of the day, which is generally after 7:00pm.

[kid a]

you cannot create enough parking  to accommodate all business's  and their customers
in a city... this is not overland park.

[PumpkinStalker]

What time did you go?  Sometimes the time makes a difference.

All downtown gas stations are tight.  So, I try to get gas at the least busiest times of the day, which is generally after 7:00pm.

7:45 

you cannot create enough parking  to accommodate all business's  and their customers
in a city... this is not overland park.

Agreed, it's stupid they try.  They may have been better off keeping the two businesses separate.  Leave the gas station a gas station, apply for historic tax credits and rennovate the neat old building into a boutiquey liquor store.  They could have put in wine tastings or something neat upstairs like the Pendergast Cigar Club at the Majestic.  So sad.

[FangKC]

The buildings are being demolished as we speak.  Second story already removed on the corner building.

[midtown guy]

I just drove by it last night and noticed it was almost down.  I can't believe that this city continues to destroy its old architecture.  That's so 1970s.  Hopefully they'll also make this into a surface lot...

[staubio]

Hopefully they'll also make this into a surface lot...

That is exactly what is in store. For a few months, downtowners were spared the constant shady loitering and drug dealing that goes down in the parking lot next to Grand Slam. Now they tore down a historic building to ensure that there is a new and improved home for this type of activity.

[bahua]

I have a feeling it would have gone down regardless of historical status. I think the owners would have gotten the building down, one way or another.