Southmoreland

[langosta]

Whitney Kerr is an old spider weaving his web. He says the mansion property not large enough for a high rise footprint and wants also to take the All Souls Unitarian property. They have rejected his offers. He wants to level the mansion and the church for the land with no definite plans. Southmoreland already has two large empty lots.

Why did we build a $350m rail line to selectively preserve SFH like 1 block away???

If he can get a full deal together with financing, let the mansions go. But, don’t allow him to bulldoze if he doesn’t.

Because there’s numerous empty lots that have yet to be filled even closer to said $350 million dollar rail line, so it doesn’t make sense to tear down an existing structure to build something if you can have a site where tear down isn’t a necessary step.

Owned by people who don't want to sell or will only sell for crazy high prices.

I support Saving the buildings for now but if Kerr has financing in hand, let them go.

[TheLastGentleman]

A lot of KC’s modern history has been stuff near empty lots getting torn down for something new, instead of new stuff being built on the uh already empty lot. That’s how KC got an almost entirely new skyline in the 80s without removing a single(?) surface lot. Whatever wasn’t lost to urban renewal was lost to town pavilion, 1kcp ect

[FangKC]

Part of the reason they can sit on those empty parcels so long is that taxes on a surface parking, or just an empty lot, are so little they can afford it.

[moderne]

Neighborhood Planning & Development Committee voted unanimously to recommend placement on Kansas City Register of Historic Places. Would save from demo for at least three years. Now will rest with vote of entire City Council. Even with protection the owners can gut the interior to the point of making house worthless.

[kcjak]

Neighborhood Planning & Development Committee voted unanimously to recommend placement on Kansas City Register of Historic Places. Would save from demo for at least three years. Now will rest with vote of entire City Council. Even with protection the owners can gut the interior to the point of making house worthless.

I feel like this just guarantees the property will remain vacant for the next three years and will end up getting torn down after being classified as blighted and in disrepair.

[KC_Ari]

Didn't someone find an auction and post it here where everything was being sold down to handrails and doors? If that happened it already feels lost.

[Midtownkid]

I don't think the auction took place afterall.

[FangKC]

Historic Kansas City has put out a demolition alert for the mansion at 4526 Warwick.

DEMOLITION ALERT – Act by Wednesday, November 15th

An application has been filed with the Historic Preservation Commission by the property owners to demolish the historic home and garage at 4526 WARWICK BLVD., THE “GEORGE B. RICHARDS RESIDENCE.” Case #CH-DR-2023-00079 will be heard by the Historic Preservation Commission at 9:00 a.m. Friday, November 17th, at City Hall, 414 E. 12th St., 26th Floor, and via video conferencing. View the applicants’ statement here: https://compasskc.kcmo.org/EnerGov_Prod/SelfService/...

The property at 4526 Warwick Blvd was placed on the Kansas City Register of Historic Places by vote of the City Council on September 28th, 2023. (ORDINANCE NO. 230705) Per the Historic Preservation Commission Ordinance, the property owner has the right to file an application requesting approval to make exterior material changes, including demolition, that can be seen from the public right-of-way.

WHAT YOU CAN DO!

Historic Kansas City opposes the request to demolish and encourages its members and supporters to testify in opposition. Options include;
• Send written comments to the City Historic Preservation Officer at kchp@kcmo.org by Wednesday, November 15th
• Speak at the public hearing: 9:00 a.m. Friday, November 17th, at City Hall, 414 E. 12th St., 26th Floor
• Register to speak remotely via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/.../WN_mwXCv38ORRan7RwD3v0Zsg...

In past cases, the commission reviews the demolition of a historic structure by determining if it retains its historic integrity for which it was initially designated. The National Register of Historic Places defines historic integrity as the ability of a property to convey its significance. There are seven aspects to integrity, location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. See the purpose for which the property was designated here: https://compasskc.kcmo.org/EnerGov_Prod/SelfService/...

This application will likely involve a two-step hearing process. The purpose of the November 17th hearing is for the Historic Preservation Commission to determine if the historic property retains historic integrity for which it was designated; therefore not warranting demolition. If the Historic Preservation Commission denies the applicant’s request to demolish, the applicant has the opportunity to claim economic hardship within 30 days of that denial. A separate hearing would then be held by the Commission to hear that case. Only with the denial of that application would the 36-month wait period go into effect.

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=719 ... 0100227161

[FangKC]

Refusing to cave, angry brothers seek to demolish their historic Kansas City mansion

...
On Friday, brothers Steven and Matthew Vawter — whose 7,400-square-foot Classical Revival home near the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art was, against their will, designated as historic in September by the Kansas City City Council — are once again going before the Kansas City Historic Preservation Commission to get permission to demolish the house.
...
If the owners are granted the “certificate of appropriateness,” they could tear the house down immediately. If the certificate is denied, the Vawters would have an opportunity to raze the house in three years.

The Vawters say they’ll knock the house down, either now or three years from now.

Convinced that the empty land is worth more than the house, the Vawters want to raze the structure, get the 0.9-acre plot rezoned to commercial use, and then sell the property for maximum value for a commercial development, such as an apartment building.

In July, the family entered into a contract with a local developer, George Birt, who agreed to buy the property for $1.9 million, but contingent on having no historic designation and getting the property rezoned for commercial use.
...
In April, neighbors Ryan Hiser and his partner, David Tran, offered the brothers $1.25 million for the house, with the idea of turning it into a boutique hotel. Hiser and Tran already own two bed-and-breakfast boutique hotels in the Southmoreland neighborhood, both created from stately old homes.
...
The Vawters turned down the offer as far too little. They continue to insist that the home, with its outdated heating, plumbing and electricity, and some structural problems, is not salable on the residential market. Now, they say, it is likely to fall into further decay.
...
oth the Southmoreland Neighborhood Association and the nonprofit Historic Kansas City Foundation have urged their members to speak against the family’s application seeking demolition. The Historic Preservation Commission hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday.

https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/a ... 10793.html

[FangKC]

Perhaps the Council should just vote NOW on whether they would or wouldn't agree to rezone the parcel BEFORE the demolition. If the owners don't get a commercial rezoning approved, then Birt's offer would be moot anyway and they could just put it on the residential market.

That's the fastest way to resolve the issue and not have the house sit empty for three years with the owners admitting they plan to let it rot and be vulnerable to break-ins.

[im2kull]

Perhaps the Council should just vote NOW on whether they would or wouldn't agree to rezone the parcel BEFORE the demolition. If the owners don't get a commercial rezoning approved, then Birt's offer would be moot anyway and they could just put it on the residential market.

That's the fastest way to resolve the issue and not have the house sit empty for three years with the owners admitting they plan to let it rot and be vulnerable to break-ins.

If should easily qualify for a rezoning. If the neighborhood was serious about not wanting it gone, then they'd all pony up to save it. You can't expect someone with an offer for more money on the table, to go with the offer for less. Would you sell your own home for less?

[taxi]

If should easily qualify for a rezoning. If the neighborhood was serious about not wanting it gone, then they'd all pony up to save it. You can't expect someone with an offer for more money on the table, to go with the offer for less. Would you sell your own home for less?

It will face serious hurdles of rezoning if the neighborhood is against it, especially some powerful and influential neighbors.
George appears healthy, but who knows if his offer will still be good in 3 years? Is $1.25 million worth that much less now than $1.9 million in 3 years? Especially considering the amount of money and effort they are going to spend to get it rezoned, not to mention loss of good will. If it were me, I'd take the $1.25M. Then go to the boats and double it.

[atticus23]

Perhaps the Council should just vote NOW on whether they would or wouldn't agree to rezone the parcel BEFORE the demolition. If the owners don't get a commercial rezoning approved, then Birt's offer would be moot anyway and they could just put it on the residential market.

That's the fastest way to resolve the issue and not have the house sit empty for three years with the owners admitting they plan to let it rot and be vulnerable to break-ins.

If should easily qualify for a rezoning. If the neighborhood was serious about not wanting it gone, then they'd all pony up to save it. You can't expect someone with an offer for more money on the table, to go with the offer for less. Would you sell your own home for less?

I second this. If the neighborhood wants it so bad, then pony up the funds to purchase it from the brothers.

Excuse my daftness, but what makes this home anymore special than the colonial revivals that are scattered in other areas of KC? Why did it need and get historical designation?

[FangKC]

A property only needs to be at least 50 years old to be on the Register. There are a variety of reasons a property can meet the criteria. Historical designation simply means that state and federal historical tax credits become available to renovate it. Being on the Register doesn't protect a house from demolition. It can help delay it because a municipality may put the property under review before issuing a certificate of appropriateness for the demolition request.

[Midtownkid]

Perhaps the Council should just vote NOW on whether they would or wouldn't agree to rezone the parcel BEFORE the demolition. If the owners don't get a commercial rezoning approved, then Birt's offer would be moot anyway and they could just put it on the residential market.

That's the fastest way to resolve the issue and not have the house sit empty for three years with the owners admitting they plan to let it rot and be vulnerable to break-ins.

If should easily qualify for a rezoning. If the neighborhood was serious about not wanting it gone, then they'd all pony up to save it. You can't expect someone with an offer for more money on the table, to go with the offer for less. Would you sell your own home for less?

Excuse my daftness, but what makes this home anymore special than the colonial revivals that are scattered in other areas of KC? Why did it need and get historical designation?

This particular house is a really grand example of Classical Revival. It was built with the best materials and is solid as hell. It is also still quite intact and unaltered from its original design. It also stands as a prime example of what that neighborhood once was. It's incredibly beautiful. Yes, there are a handful of other houses in a similar style, and some of those are also on the register or in neighborhoods on the register.

There are so many empty lots around this part of the city that I don't see why anyone is in a rush to demolish this too. Knowing our city's track record with development, it would remain in empty lot for years. And whatever replaces it will never be as attractive or sensitive to its setting.

Why waste it?

[im2kull]

If should easily qualify for a rezoning. If the neighborhood was serious about not wanting it gone, then they'd all pony up to save it. You can't expect someone with an offer for more money on the table, to go with the offer for less. Would you sell your own home for less?

Excuse my daftness, but what makes this home anymore special than the colonial revivals that are scattered in other areas of KC? Why did it need and get historical designation?

This particular house is a really grand example of Classical Revival. It was built with the best materials and is solid as hell. It is also still quite intact and unaltered from its original design. It also stands as a prime example of what that neighborhood once was. It's incredibly beautiful. Yes, there are a handful of other houses in a similar style, and some of those are also on the register or in neighborhoods on the register.

There are so many empty lots around this part of the city that I don't see why anyone is in a rush to demolish this too. Knowing our city's track record with development, it would remain in empty lot for years. And whatever replaces it will never be as attractive or sensitive to its setting.

Why waste it?

I take it you had not realized that this house has now been gutted on the inside, have you? There's nothing original left. Just the shell. Let them demo it and go try to protect something that the owners actually want to protect.

[Midtownkid]

That's unfortunate, but that actually doesn't matter for local landmark listing. It's the shell what is protected. Owners of property on the local register can do whatever they want on the inside, including demo.

The owners are temporary. The building will (should) outlast them. That's what being a landmark means.

[atticus23]

Thanks all. I really appreciate the thoughtful answers.

I think I struggle w/ how the neighborhood and city have dealt with this. If the city wants it protected, then they should unburden the brothers and give them the money they seek to be rid of the property. Just my humble opinion.

It truly is a beautiful shell. Wonder what they did with all of the woodwork...?

[FangKC]

Demolition denied.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CzwbZ-WM8Um ... _copy_link

[herrfrank]

Something similar happened to the Art Moderne residence near 65th/ State Line. After a failed listing, the "angry owners" took out their disappointments on the house. Its interior was gutted, including all of the in-built (steam) heating radiators and other fixtures. I toured it during its second listing, with its interior destruction evident throughout. You can however see the original condition in the 1989 movie "Mr. and Mrs. Bridge" -- it was the home of the character, Dr. Alex Sauer.

I feel that our Historic Registries need to have more teeth in them regarding interiors. Property rights are not absolute -- every city has zoning restrictions, for example. I see historic designations as another legitimate restriction on the disposition of a property or structure.