Valentine Neighborhood sees another 23 homes demolished, locals question what comes next
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Some in Kansas City’s Valentine Neighborhood are concerned their community has no future. Work to demolish 23 homes is already underway.
This is happening between the 33rd and 35th street blocks along Pennsylvania, Jefferson, and Southwest Traffic Way.
Over the years, Kansas City Life Insurance has bought up almost every property in this area. Now, they say most are unlivable and need to be demolished. But locals say this transformation is being done the wrong way.
Stephen Georgeulakos did not hold back how angry he was to see the entire block he lived on demolished around him. For him, more empty lots lead to crime.
“Since I’ve been here, homeless people, crackheads have been coming to my door rattling it at 3:00 a.m. trying to get in,” Georgeulakos said.
Soon, the Valentine Neighborhood Association estimates only eight homes will remain in this four-block radius after Kansas City Life Insurance demolishes another 23 they own.
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Locals claim they haven’t heard exactly when that will happen once they’re gone like all the other vacant lots once taken up by dozens of single-family homes.
“We’ve repeatedly told them we would not be in favor of any kind of demolition unless we saw a plan,” Mary Jo Draper, member of the Valentine Neighborhood Association, argued. “This time again we asked to see a plan and they said there was no plan.”
“It’s sad and it’s frustrating that they won’t work with us in saving some of the buildings,” Chris Jordan, another Neighborhood Association member claimed. “Coming up with a plan on how this area could be developed.”
We brought these concerns to Kansas City Life Insurance who said they’re laying the groundwork to redevelop the properties. In a statement they added, "We are proactively removing vacant and non-viable buildings from our property. These vacant structures pose a risk to the overall safety and security to the neighborhood. We recognize the age of these buildings, but unfortunately, time and circumstance have taken their toll. Our goal in the coming weeks is to remove these structures with minimal disruption to the neighborhood."
Councilman Crispin Rea oversees these blocks in the Valentine Neighborhood as part of his district. He too, has not heard of any redevelopment plans.
"It is frustrating that the demolitions occurred before the City or neighborhood were presented with plans for redevelopment. We have far too many vacant lots across the City and we certainly do not need more. We have ed the leadership at KC Life to discuss their plans and impress upon them the importance of transparency. I am optimistic that KC Life will work with the City and neighborhood to redevelop this area in a collaborative manner - that is the most productive way forward."
Locals counter homes being torn down had renters in them up until a few months ago. Kevin Collison, a retired reporter who covered economic development extensively believes there are better ways to transform the blocks.
“KC Life could easily invest in a high-quality apartment project that would have a mix of market-rate housing, and affordable housing,” Collison explained. “They could develop more retail and office space for them.”
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