House Of God

 The first church on this site was built in 1887.  The above building was constructed in 1924 and operated as St. Francis Seraph until 1991 when the Parish was combine with St. John and Assumption to become St. Anthony.  It's been vacant ever since.    A local TV station did a story on the abandoned building in 2013.  The city told the reporter the church would be gone by the end of the year. The school and rectory on the site burned and were bulldozed years ago.  Seems sad.  It's at 801 Agnes in the East Bottoms just two blocks from Knuckleheads.

The Cosby Hotel Is Saved

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.......

FDIsee

View from Penn Valley Park of the "new" FDIC Building.

One Last Farewell

This is the last time I'll probably blog about this... The wonderful Victorian Duplex at 2116 -2118 Minnie is gone. This structure achieved landmark status in 1989.

Built in 1888 by L.A. Copley it was Chateauesque in design with B.H. Brooks as the architect.

Original occupants were: 2116, Henry Albers, wholesale flour business. 2118, LeGrand A. Copley, the builder, who previously lived at 409 Wabash.

What the Missouri State Landmark survey said: "This duplex is a rare example of the Chateauesque style in Kansas City, Missouri. Main or south elevation features entry porches, east and west bays, featuring classically-inspired columns. Inconspicuous entrances, south elevation. Fenestration is double-hung, sash-type with multi-panes. Prominent terra-cotta lintels feature intricate, low-relief carving. Pedimented dormers feature arched fenestration with brick voussoirs. Other features include terra-cotta pinnacles with crockets; and terra-cotta false arches with basketweave brick design, low-relief carving and decorative keystones. Cornice line features carved brackets. Two=tier porch, north elevation, non-original."

The first image is a copy of a copy of the photo with the Missouri Landmark Survey taken in 1989. The second image is last Monday, 3/23, just before demolition. The last image is how Kansas City and a negligent owner treat historic properties.

Thank you to Kent Dicus who provided me with a copy of the Missouri State Landmark Survey.