Southmoreland Neighborhood Association

updated!

Neighborhood Backgrounder: Cleaver TIF 5. What problems are being solved, or caused, by this development?
Another view from Cleaver Blvd.

Historically-significant housing will be destroyed. We’ll be destroying historically-significant housing. Research is still pending on this, but at least five addresses on 46th street have been identified as the work of Architect Nelle Peters.
Nelle Elizabeth (Nichols) Peters 1884 - 1974
Nelle Peters moved to Kansas City in 1907 and began working for an architecture firm. A self-taught and apprenticed architect, Nelle hit her stride in the early 1920’s, becoming one of the first female architects in the country and in Kansas City. Her prolific work throughout Kansas City and the region put an indelible stamp on our City. Nelle was one of the first female professional architects in the U.S. Buildings designed by Nelle Peters include: E. 46Th Street (not including colonnade): 215-17, 219 – 21, 223-225, 227-229, and 231-37. To find out more about Nelle Peters click here. here, here and here.
	All of the buildings proposed to be demolished are considered to be of significant historical value by the Historic Kansas City Foundation (HKCF).
	Staff from the National Trust for Historic Preservation have personally looked at these properties and have indicated their interest in being actively engaged in preserving this important part of Kansas City history.
	The HKCF and the National Trust for Historic Preservation will be engaged in the development of an alternative vision for this important block of Kansas City’s architectural and social history that is forward thinking, based on proven preservation success and truly sustainable adaptive re-use of historic structures.
	Additional research is also pending.

Are we removing blight? We have no information in hand that demonstrates blight. Are we improving the parking situation? A current neighborhood estimate indicates there’s a chance the parking problem may even worsen with this development, assuming one parking space per condo owner. What are the collateral impacts? There may be more than $300M in construction going on in a two-block area, and additional construction relating to city and private infrastructure. Impacts on the the sewer load, water pressure and additional infrastructure are unknown. Southmoreland B&B Our neighborhood will not tolerate or risk the loss of one of our most important assets, because of harm done to them during construction or for other reasons caused by this project. Property Tax Impacts Several residents have voiced their concerns on how neighboring property tax values will be impacted by this development. What are the benefits? We think the major stated benefit, by the developer, is that the project would eliminate 10 poorly-maintained apartment buildings, replacing them with a hotel, new condos and apartments that would look much nicer. This would presumably increase the value of surrounding properties. Benefit Myths If we want better streets and sidewalks around the Cleaver property a TIF is not the appropriate vehicle to accomplish this. There are City, PIAC and other funds we can use to accomplish these goals. Additional significant issues The neighborhood will be, on a continuing basis, identifying and organizing issues as we consider this project.
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