Northeast News

October 13, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – One of the Historic Northeast’s most troublesome properties has been slated for demolition.

According the KCPD East Patrol’s Commander, Major Joe McHale, the city put in a demolition order for the long-vacant property at 114 N. Topping Ave. on October 1. Dangerous Buildings department manager Shockey Franciscus further added that his department is currently awaiting results on an asbestos report, and that he expects the city to send out a bid for demolition by the end of next week.

The structure is part of McHale’s East-8 Project, named after East Patrol’s most problematic dangerous structures. The eight properties that comprise the East-8 Project have been targeted for expedited demolition based on their condition and the number of calls for service for the addresses. Of the homes presently on the list, four of those are within the boundaries of Northeast. One is in the Scarritt Renaissance neighborhood in the 3500 block of Independence Avenue, and the other three are in the Indian Mound neighborhood.

The home at 114 N. Topping has been a particular headache. A squatter was arrested as police and city staff visited the structure on June 8, and a closer inspection of the home revealed upwards of 20 stolen bicycles on the second floor of the residence. The same individual was arrested at the property later in June, and the home had to be re-boarded by city staff. On July 29, the Kansas City, Missouri Fire Department was called to the home at 6:00 a.m. to battle a fire that caused significant damage to second floor of the structure.

Check back with the Northeast News over the coming weeks for further updates about the property.