Dorri Partain
Managing Editor

A multiple-block housing complex that is awaiting demolition and reconstruction has been the site for numerous arson fires as tenants were relocated and buildings have been vacated.

Parade Park Homes, an historic Black-owned housing cooperative, spans a 27 acre area bounded by Truman Road, Woodland Avenue, 18th Street and Brooklyn Ave, east of the Historic Jazz District.

Demolition of the 45 buildings in the complex have been delayed due to requirements from the funding entities and a mandatory review by HUD (Housing and Urban Development). This clearance period prohibits demolition or any site disruption to maintain procured funding for new construction.

Following an arson fire in the 1500 block of Euclid Avenue on December 30, project partners Twelfth Street Heritage and Flaherty & Collins Properties added additional security measures to secure the property from entry. Those measures include increased security patrols and solar-powered mobile security trailers recording activity at entry points.

The Kansas City Fire Department (KCFD) has reported responding to the Parade Park complex to battle blazes in the 1800 block of E. 15th Terrace on Nov. 7 and the 2100 block of E. 16th street on Nov. 3. An apartment unit at 1501 Woodland has burned twice in the last six months, in June and December 2025. 

Mobile security trailers monitor activity at entry points to the Parade Park Homes site. All residents moved out in November 2025.

Despite enhanced security, a blaze was reported in the 2100 block of E. 15th Terrace at 2:44 am on January 15.

Michael Hopkins, KCFD Public Information and Media Relations officer, spoke about the issues of battling vacant building fires during a presentation at the Northeast Chamber of Commerce office on February 26, stating that firefighters have additional challenges when responding to these structure fires. Boards have to be removed while the fire continues to grow — doubling in as little as 60 to 90 seconds — and crews may also have to enter to search to ensure the property is vacant.

Following demolition, which may begin in February 2026, construction on Phase 1 will begin.

This development will contain a total of two hundred (200) efficiency, one, two, and three-bedroom residential units for families in three three-story residential buildings, with retail units available at street level.

Total development cost for Phase 1 is approximately $68,022,166 with an expected $2,400,000 of this funding coming from the Missouri Housing Development Commission’s Federal HOME Program Funds.

Redevelopment of Parade Park is designed as a mixed-income neighborhood with 1,100 affordable homes, including apartments, townhomes and accessible units for seniors built in up to four phases. This $300 million redevelopment involves funding through the city, state and federal housing sources.

For more information about redevelopment of this site visit www.paradeparkkcmo.com