Thanks to the efforts of local private business leaders and preservationists statewide the Cosby Hotel is off the chopping block. Here's a link to the STAR story: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/07/20/2097070/campaigns-to-prevent-cosby-hotel.html
What we need to learn from this is that Dangerous Buildings and Codes... both departments in Neighborhoods and Communities need examination. Hyper called for a second opinion on the "dangerosity" of the building and, fortunately, one was sought. That opinion from a structural engineer was the opposite of the one put out by Dangerous Buildings. A third opinion confirmed the second.
We lost two historic structures in Pendleton Heights here in Northeast under identical circumstances. When it comes to those kinds of buildings it's time to reign in Dangerous Buildings.......
So they were going to spend $88,000 to demolish it, and the temporary fix ends up costing $4,000? What is wrong with these people?
ReplyDeleteDon't get me started.
ReplyDeleteGlad to read that a bit of quick action on the part of preservation activists has produced such a good outcome. However, am surprised the City and/or State doesn't have a Historic Buildings Register or appropriate legislation. Hope this result does actually move this issue forward to a more fruitful outcome.
ReplyDeleteHi Menchu and thanks for your comments. The Cosby was on the local register of historic places at landmarks... but, and this must change, designation by the city of a structure as a Dangerous Building trumps everything. It was just pure dumb luck that THIS time the city stopped for a second a got two more opinions.
ReplyDeleteGood job, Dave!
ReplyDelete-- Scott W.
Nice work. Who did the original inspection?
ReplyDeleteSomeone from Dangerous Buildings which is a division of Neighborhoods and Communities at City Hall.
ReplyDeleteOkay, but now how do we get the slumlord scumbag who owns it to either sell it or fix it up so it can be used? We'll need to keep with this story so good use comes of the building.
ReplyDeleteMo Rage
Work is underway to try to get him to donate the building to the Kansas City Historic Foundation.... they, in turn, could look for someone to renovate using their not-for-profit status.....
ReplyDeleteIf we can get this owner to give up the building to the Foundation, or to otherwise transfer ownership to someone who gives a damn I think we can save it.
ReplyDeleteHopefully Tony won't take you to some nasty hole in the wall with bad food next year...
If necessary on June 20th, 2011 I will go down there with a can of paint.
ReplyDeleteAs we all know, it is NEVER over. This is a stay of execution. Vigilance is required if this building it to truly be saved. Rest not, preservationists.
ReplyDeleteI think it's time to amend city ordinances to have the Dangerous Buildings Department use their funding for repairs or turn over the money to the Landmarks Office for any building that's on the local historical register, if the repairs to keep the structure standing would cost less than demolition. This would save the city money and benefit neighborhoods. How hard would it be to achieve this?
ReplyDeleteTo prevent owners from taking advantage of the city, there could be safeguards like possible foreclosure or seizure of the property to allow someone else to rehabilitate the structure, if the owners do not pay for the amount the city spends on repairs.
As it stands now, the city has precious little chance of getting any money back that is spent on demolition. Who is going to pay $115,000 for an empty piece of land? Maybe downtown this is possible, but elsewhere in the city, lots are worth about $200, if anything, especially in this market.
I don't know if it's just me or if everybody else experiencing issues with your website.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like some of the written text on your posts are
running off the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let
me know if this is happening to them too? This may be a issue
with my web browser because I've had this happen previously. Thank you
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