KCRag Forum

It's the back of the former Benton Theater building. It appears the back wall of the auditorium collapsed. Looking the layout of the building, I can't imagine it can be saved.

http://www.kmbc.com/news/partial-buildi ... 34#!bx27fT

Benton Theater

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/6997

That explains all the sirens and helicopters this morning. Bummer. I liked that building.

Channel 41 News just reported that the Kansas City Fire Department will supervise the demolition of the building.

Such a drag - if the loss of such a unique building weren't enough, the thought of an empty lot on that corner (or a new check-cashing store) makes me just as sick.

Yeah, and if the streetcar line down Independence Avenue would have been approved, this would be a prime parcel on which to build a new apartment building.

Channel 5 is reporting that inspectors are trying to find a way to stabilize the remaining building, and then determine whether parts of the building can be saved or not.

Heavy rain is being blamed for the collapse.

http://www.kctv5.com/story/26233844/cre ... r-collapse

The building will be demolished.

http://www.kctv5.com/story/26255097/cit ... demolished

Was a handsome unique building. The slanted roof sections used to be covered with green glazed tile. The curved facade is unique in KC. Anyone know what it was originally? I am guessing a lodge hall?

It was the Benton Theater, one of many designed in our area by the Boller Brothers, who were headquartered here.

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/6997

The building was actually better looking when it was first built--before the remodeling of the front. Note the round windows, and the old store windows.

Has anyone ever sued a property owner for letting a building go to shit like this?

It's hard to say who is at fault. Unless some engineer did a forensic study of the collapse. It could have been a drainage issue. Water drained off the roof to that vacant lot next to the building foundation. A larger roof like that would displace a lot of water into a small area of soil near the foundation. There is also an apartment building to the north that would have displaced a lot of water into the same general area as drainage from the theater roof.

If the soil always remained wet, it could have over time weakened the foundation of the building. The foundation could have slowly sank causing the wall to become unstable.

True. But those seem like things the owner would/should have have noticed. Maybe they did but couldn't afford repairs.

Well, it's a church, and I imagine the parish is fairly poor, so that could very well be the reason.

FangKC wrote:Well, it's a church, and I imagine the parish is fairly poor, so that could very well be the reason.

I find it ironic the church in general has enough money they can afford to pay for multi-million dollar projects and upkeep crazy amounts of art and yet they let their churches deteriorate

flyingember wrote:I find it ironic the church in general has enough money they can afford to pay for multi-million dollar projects and upkeep crazy amounts of art and yet they let their churches deteriorate

Huh?!?

beautyfromashes wrote:

flyingember wrote:I find it ironic the church in general has enough money they can afford to pay for multi-million dollar projects and upkeep crazy amounts of art and yet they let their churches deteriorate

Huh?!?

notice what they're doing with the building

http://www.christianpost.com/news/bisho ... en-108115/

What does the Catholic Church located in Germany has to do with this Northeast building?

I don't think the church on Benton and Independence is in any way affiliated with the Catholic Church, or any other large church organization.

FangKC wrote:I don't think the church on Benton and Independence is in any way affiliated with the Catholic Church, or any other large church organization.

a parish is a division of a much larger organization

you can understand my confusion when you used the term

flyingember wrote:

FangKC wrote:I don't think the church on Benton and Independence is in any way affiliated with the Catholic Church, or any other large church organization.

a parish is a division of a much larger organization

you can understand my confusion when you used the term

There are other religious organizations besides the Roman Catholic church that have parish entities. And don't forget Louisiana.