News From HKC.

2017-18 HKC Most Endangered List

HKC announces our 2017 – 2018 Most Endangered list of buildings and other places around Kansas City at risk of being demolished or of crumbling into obscurity. We do this to draw attention to their plight, and in hopes of attracting new owners, developers, or community groups who will commit to restore, repurpose and maintain their unique appeal. These historic places are irreplaceable community assets that tell the story of the city and its development. The list is a non-exhaustive roster in no particular order and is a call for action by all stakeholders.

This year’s list reflects both the diversity of Kansas City’s historic places and the variety of threats they face. From African American sites to Modern Architecture, to historic resources in Westport, the Old Northeast area, the Country Club Plaza, to categories of resources including historic churches, apartment buildings, closed schools, and commercial neighborhood structures, and individual sites such as Epperson House or Sauer Castle.

For more on the Most Endangered List story – follow HKC on Facebook daily.

18th & Vine Design Guidelines

18th and Vine historically served as the epicenter of African American life within Kansas
City. Around this intersection, commercial and entertainment activity blended with
residential life, creating a completely self-sufficient community within the greater Kansas
City area. It was in this area that Kansas City jazz was born with its own distinctive style
that draws upon New Orleans jazz and ragtime. Due to this unique association with the
African American experience in Kansas City and the creation of Kansas City Jazz, the
18th and Vine District is nationally, regionally, and locally significant.

Country Club Plaza Walking Guide

In addition to being one of Kansas City’s favorite gathering places, the Country Club Plaza is widely considered a jewel of 20th-century urban design. At 95 years old, the district endures as the most vital and valued part of its regional community, which counts over two million residents and 20 million
annual visitors. Famously designed to embrace the automobile, the Plaza is in fact human
scaled, with rich and layered decoration and detail intended to enchant and reward those
who take the time for a walk and a moment to look around them.  This guide, organized as a series of walking tours and seven short essays, provides entertaining facts and insight on the unique character and features of the Plaza.

Westport Presentation

The Wesport Survey Presentation presented on February 6th to the public.

Westport Historic Resources Survey – Final Report

Rosin Preservation completed a historic resources survey of 406 resources in the Westport area of Kansas City, Missouri, roughly bounded by 39th Street, Main Street, 43rd Street, and Southwest Trafficway (Summit Street). The goal was two-fold: to identify resources (buildings, sites, structures, and objects) that may be eligible for listing in the National and/or Kansas City Registers of Historic Places and to identify resources that are not register-eligible.

2017 Preservation Awards

Historic Kansas City is accepting nominations for our annual Preservation Awards.  Award categories cover a broad array of preservation issues in order to encourage nominations from a wide range of professionals and disciplines.  Nominations are due Wednesday, February 21^st 2018.  The nomination process is very simple—it will just take a few minutes of your time.   Please fill attached form and send to swinfield@historickansascity.org

The awards ceremony will occur on Wednesday, March 21st at 5:30PM in the Pickwick Plaza.

Coates Hotel Fire – Audio 1