loftguy wrote:
Couple of things........
Sportster, aren't the Greenlawns condominiums? If so, assembledge for renovation could be difficult.
PS, sorry to see the state of the 3rd floor. It wasn't a Smithsonian, but that used to be a pretty respectable presentation of Indian Artifacts, a gun collection, some cool shrunken heads and Inca mummies, plus an igloo mock-up that only kids could squeeze through the entry.
Anyone know if the big fundraising drive to rehab Corinthian Hall got under way?
Regarding Greenlawn - Some are and some aren't condos- depending on the building. Some old guy named Bill was renting some of the units in the complex, but since the one burned a few months ago, its been vacant. It'd be a perfect pilot project for that corner. Some well placed stone walls on the frontage and some updating and pedestrian lighting and landscaping woiuld do wonders. Yoiu could basically do five units per building with a "penthouse" unit or do three "flats" by combining the units on each floor. 301 Bellefontaine is a perfect example of how the concept could be accomplished.
As for Corinthian Hall, there are a number of groups involved in the effort to bring back the Beaux Arts mansion on Gladstone. FOKCM is probably the most powerful one at this point - they've easily got 6-figs in the bank and they'll be starting some projects here after the windows and doors are restored. They do have plans to restore the grounds once the stables are de-converted back to display Loula Long's carraiges and stuff.
The Robert A. Long Historical Society is another. Basically they were formed because they couldn't get along w/ USKC and FOKCM. They've got a documentary (if you can call it that) premiering this Sunday somewhere off site, at the same time as my historic postcard lecture at KCM. It'll be aired on KCPT this Thanksgiving night at 7:00 pm. I only lampoon it because they try and tell the entire R.A. Long story in 30 minutes. We'll just let that sink in for a minute.
Then there's the often meddlesome KCMMAB (Kansas City Museum Mayor's Advisory Board)
Not exactly sure of what it is they really do - if there was ever a smoke & mirrors committee - this is it. Supposedly, they're supposed to kiss or kill anything that USKC or KCMO does with or to the building in terms of restoration and exhibits (?) They don't have any money, not sure how their members are appointed, (think "Turk" in the night) or what they do other than micro-manage KCM and USKC.
This is the bunch USKC is at odds with virtually all the time and the mutual fingerpointing that ensues is tragically comical.
If you go to CH, all you have to do to see the meddling is stand in front of the place and look at the signs that ID the place as KCM.
The one that KCMMAB had placed over the front door, atop the Corinthian capital'd columns that says "Kansas City Museum of History & Science, (the "old" name for the Museum) written in an ever so lovely, non-historic Century Gothic Font.
Its garrish. Its not historically accurate (historical accuracy be damned with this bunch) and I railed about it in an editorial stating it needed to come down. Even the President of KCMMAB finally admitted it wasn't "exactly what we were looking for". It was done specifically to send a message to USKC (Andi Udris) as to who had the power and who didn't.
Now, in response, out at the southeast corner, hanging on the fence is a "new" sign, placed by USKC (Andi Udris) that says "Kansas City Museum at Corinthian Hall". (part of Andi's "spoke" museum concept where US is the hub, and there are satellite museums throughout the city, Like CH, Shoal Creek, etc., all affiliated w/US, like spokes in a wheel) While its nnot historicall accurate either, its a little more tasteful in terms of size and scope.
Can you say pissin match? Hatfields & McCoys? Montagues & Capulets?
They're still blaming the other one for the recent loss of accreditation.
So, in true Northeast style - there's so many cooks in this kitchen, it'll be a small miracle if any of the major projects on the drawing board get completed at CH. And tragically, the entity that will suffer will be Kansas City's museum going public and true to my predictions over the years, CH will end up being mothballed as an "unattractive albatross" in an unsafe neighborhood (per USKC) and it'll be auctioned off to the highest bidder.
Sportster
...prove me wrong andi