Demolition proceeds on the campus of Kansas City University. Construction for the University’s Center for Population Health and Equity will begin soon. Photo by Dorri Partain

Dorri Partain
Managing Editor

Sweeping changes are occurring along Independence Blvd. as Kansas City University (KCU) undertakes the removal of two buildings on campus for construction of a new facility planned to enhance medical research opportunities for its staff and students.

These buildings were part of the original Children’s Mercy Hospital at 1750 Independence Blvd, which was purchased by this osteopathic medical instruction facility in 1971. Smith Hall, built in 1927 as a nurse’s dormitory, and an annex built in 1966 were located just west of the old hospital, which now serves as the Administration Building for the university.

In August 2025, KCU requested demolition permits for these properties at 1726 and 1710 Independence Blvd. As outlined in KCU’s Master Planned Development (MPD) district, approved by City Council in 2017, several buildings were slated for eventual removal.

Elizabeth Alex, Executive Director of the University Relations department, offered the following statement to The Northeast News in November, 2025.

“Kansas City University (KCU) has been a trusted and engaged member of the Kansas City community for more than a century. Throughout that time, we have remained deeply committed to the health, safety and vitality of our neighborhood and our city.

As part of our ongoing commitment to excellence in medical and sciences education, population health and research, KCU is moving forward with plans to replace an obsolete campus building that has long exceeded its useful life with a modern, state-of-the-art facility dedicated to research and population health. This investment will enhance opportunities for our students and faculty, create new jobs, and strengthen the positive impact we have on the surrounding community. This decision was made following an exhaustive study. We will preserve the (Smith Hall) clock tower and it will hold a new permanent place of honor on campus. Additionally, we will preserve items of historical significance and provide a space to honor this history in the newly constructed building.

As we have for more than 100 years, Kansas City University will continue to invest significantly in our programs, our students, and our neighborhood—because when we invest in our campus, our neighborhood and our city, all do better.”

Plans for this new facility, which will house KCU’s Center for Population Health and Equity, and the relocation of the clock tower have not been made public.

Concerned with the removal of a building that qualified for placement in Kansas City’s Register of Historic Places due to its architectural style and association with prominent Kansas Citians, several Northeast residents formed a grassroots group, Save Smith Hall, applied through the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) and received approval during a hearing at City Hall on Dec.19.

Backed with research, Save Smith Hall members attended additional hearings with the City Planning Commission, the City Council’s Neighborhood Planning and Development Committee and City Council to promote Ordinance # 260283 and the placement of the building on the City’s Historic Register. On April 9, a final council vote garnered  2 to support the ordinance, with 11 opposed, and the battle to save Smith Hall was over.

Designed by the Kansas City architectural team Holt, Price & Barnes, in the Colonial Revival/ Georgian Revival style, Smith Hall has been renamed many times during its 99-year lifespan.

The nurse’s dormitory was built in 1927 and named as a memorial to Joseph T. Bird, Sr., a founding merchant with the former Emery Bird Thayer department store. After a renovation in 1993 which included stairwell additions and placement of the 1933 clock tower from an earlier osteopathic college building, Alumni Hall was named for Dr. Leonard Smith (1918- 2017), an alumnus of KCU, in 1999.

Founded as the Kansas City College of Osteopathy and Surgery in 1916 by George J. Conley DO, this medical education institution has been located in Northeast since 1921. Several college structures, including Conley Hospital, were located at Independence Blvd. and Garfield Ave. but have been removed since its relocation.

According to its website (www.kansascity.edu), Kansas City University is the oldest medical college in Kansas City and the largest in the state of Missouri.

For our previous coverage regarding Smith Hall, visit:

Clock Tower: This 1933 Colonial clock tower was removed from Smith Hall and will be restored and placed prominently on the University’s campus. Photo by Dorri Partain