To the Northeast News,

In the next 2-3 weeks, Kansas City University (KCU) plans to demolish yet another beautiful historic building.  This time it’s the red brick Smith Hall at 1700 Independence Avenue, on the southwest corner of campus.  It was built in 1927 and is topped with a short bell tower.  

KCU has a long history of destroying historic buildings, including some large and beautiful old homes. In the past 10 years it has demolished at least eight.  Several are as follows:

  • Demolition in 2017 of “Colonial Court,” the lovely intact-complex of colonnaded apartment buildings, consisting of five 6-plexes with beautiful, white columns. This reduced needed affordable housing and after 8 years the site is still just a parking lot.  
  • Demolition of Victorian-era homes on Brownell, Woodland, & Highland avenues with still no new use for the land. 
  • The closing off of 3 streets, which has limited the access to neighborhoods to the north and increased congestion on Maple, Garfield, and The Paseo. 

The goal of this letter is to generate ACTION to help stop this problem.  

Background:

For several weeks Historic Kansas City’s (HKC) team has had discussions with KCU staff to try to save Smith Hall.  Then the City’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) held a hearing on Sept. 26.  

The KCU team of staff, attorneys, and architects tried to justify immediate demolition without invoking the delay procedure established just earlier this year. They described problems with the building and argued that it has no architectural integrity, yet also communicated intent to salvage its “elements of significance”. They urged the Commission to consider abstaining from a determination of eligibility for the building (which is what ultimately prompts a 45-day delay). 

Then HKC testified in person and requested a demolition delay. The Commissioners then deliberated and voted to delay demolition until Nov. 11. This means it can be destroyed the following day.

Here is the full story from Historic Kansas City as of Oct. 1:

The KCMO Historic Preservation Commission has mandated a 45-day delay for a demolition permit for a Smith Hall at 1700 Independence Avenue after determining its eligibility for recognition as a historic building. Anchoring Kansas City University’s campus along Independence Boulevard, northwest of the intersection with Highland Avenue in Pendleton Heights, stands this four-story Colonial Revival/Georgian Revival building, designed by the noted Kansas City architectural firm Hoit, Price & Barnes.

It was originally constructed as the Children’s Mercy Hospital Nurses Residence. It provided both housing and training space for nurses at a time when Children’s Mercy, founded by Dr. Katharine B. Richardson and Dr. Alice Graham, was expanding its services. It was part of a broader effort to attract and retain nursing staff.

Over the decades, the building adapted to new uses. Sold in 1971 to the Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine Alumni Association, it became Alumni Hall. In 1999 it was renamed Smith Hall in honor of Dr. Leonard Smith, an alumnus of the university. While stairwell additions and a clock tower were later installed, the building retains its architectural integrity as a tangible link to our region’s history as home to century-old medical, institutional settings.

This proposed demolition and others preceding it have been pursued according to apparently long-standing plans by this institution and have withstood criticism and opposition raised by neighbors and preservationists while met with acquiescence from city government.

We have learned that there will be no more hearings on it at City Hall.  The 45-day Wait Period was granted only to allow time to nominate the building for the Historic Register.  That takes time and money so 45 days is not enough, and only 3 entities can do it: the Pendleton Heights NA,  a City Council member, or Historic Kansas City Foundation.  None of them are doing it. Therefore it can legally be demolished on 11/11/25.

It’s funny how KCU’s Instagram page shows many pictures of historic buildings to glorify its campus  as do its YouTube video, banners, and history section.  Yet it keeps tearing them down. Smith Hall’s demolition has been included in its Master Plan for several years.   We’ve been told that demolition of the grand old Administration Building to the east of Smith Hall is not on the Master Plan.  But it could still be the next to go since it has no historic designation. 

In order to make it clear that neighborhoods want historic buildings saved in the future, here’s what can be done. But only if many people participate, and quickly:

  1. Email Letters of Protest to City Council members, especially the 3rd District members, Melissa Patterson Hazley and Melissa Robinson.  The emails are: mario.vasquez@kcmo.org, mayor@kcmo.org, Kevin.ONeill@kcmo.org, annie.williamson@kcmo.org, lisa.minardi@kcmo.org, wes.rogers@kcmo.org, Darvius.Yearwood@kcmo.org, Melissa.Robinson@kcmo.org,araceli.magana@kcmo.org, Eric.Bunch@kcmo.org, rita.berry@kcmo.org, Ryana.Parks-Shaw@kcmo.org, Katrina.Foster@kcmo.org, John.Santner@kcmo.org, staff@JCHS.ORG
  1. Email short Letters of Protest to the Historic Preservation Office. Brad Wolf there has promised to forward them directly to the members of the Historic Preservation Commission. Send them to KCHP@kcmo.org
  1. Email short Letters of Protest to the media.  The emails are:  radiodanaKC@gmail.com, news@kmbz.com, amy.anderson@entercom.com, apkansascity@ap.org, brian@kcur.org, ericlwesson@yahoo.com, grice@kcstar.com, hhollingsworth@ap.org
    Ian.Lee@cbs.com, ivan@plattecountylandmark.com, joe.sutton@cnn.com, jsharp122@hotmail.com, 

thefamilygenies@gmail.com, martincitytelegraph@gmail.com, newsdesk@kctv5.com, news@kcur.org, news@kmbc.com, news@kmzu.com, news@kq2.com
newsdesk@kshb.com, northeastnewskc@gmail.com,

Include this in the letters if possible: “The new 45-day Wait Period is not long enough to get a building registered for Historic status.  It’s a long process so it needs to be lengthened to 4-6 months”.  If enough of us complain about this, city staff will re-evaluate it in the coming months for future issues.

  1. Signage:  Put signs in yards.  We’ll have them available by Wednesday Nov. 5 or 6, at the latest.  
  1. Protests: Join us to let KCU know there will be strong opposition if this happens again.  Protests with signs will occur on Sunday, Nov. 2 and Sunday, Nov. 9 from 12 to 2 pm, we will have signs prepared. The plan is to meet up at Core Coffee (546 Olive) and walk down to KCU in mass.

NOTE:  We must have a strong turn-out at these gatherings in order for our voice of opposition to have impact.  Please email us if you plan to join so we can plan strategically:  jbentleyinkc@yahoo.com

Preservation of historic homes and neighborhoods takes hard work beyond just home repairs.  We must be vigilant and active against encroachment, not passive, or our gracious old buildings disappear.  Large institutions like colleges and museums are the most egregious at this.  We understand they need to grow, which we are not against.  But they should grow up, not out, and should have no right to cut off neighborhood streets that taxpayers have funded and need. And old buildings can be modernized and enlarged, while simultaneously preserving their historic facades. 

There is an old saying, “A city without old buildings is like a person without a memory.  It leaves something sterile”. So please join us in this effort.

Photos and more history can be seen at the Facebook page “Save Historic Smith Hall at KCU” at https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Save%20Smith%20Hall

Thank you,

Jan Bentley, The Kansas City Bungalow Club

Kent Dicus, The Northeast Kansas City Historical Society

Virginia Bettencourt, Scarritt Resident

Michael Stringer, Scarritt Resident

The Kansas City Bungalow Club is an advocacy, educational, & social organization 

dedicated to promoting the restoration & preservation 

of early residential architecture in the Kansas City area.