Mary Jo Draper

Conversations with Scott Burnett

Scott Burnett, a longtime resident of the Roanoke neighborhood,  is conducting audio interviews with interesting people in Kansas City.  So far, he’s talked to the owners of Fric and Frac, a Volker gathering place, and Kerry Browne and John McClain, owners of Browne’s Irish Market, the oldest Irish business outside of Ireland. Follow the conversations here.

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New Demolitions Proposed in Valentine Neighborhood

Kansas City Life Insurance has recently requested demolition permits for four buildings in the Valentine neighborhood. These are in addition to the 23 buildings they tore down and are in the two blocks south of where the previous demolitions occurred.  On Feb. 28, the Historic Preservation Commission will hold a hearing on new demolition permits

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Valentine Demolitions Part of Discussion on Vacant Land Tax

As demolitions of homes in Valentine continue, the mayor is stepping up talk about reducing the burden of privately owned vacant lots on neighborhoods. One idea – taxing vacant lots and buildings to encourage their use. The Kansas City Star reported on the issue on Nov. 25, 2024. “Something like a vacant land tax could

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Gardeners Once Flocked To A Backyard On This Block Near Westport

In 1920, homes on this block from Westport Road to Archibald between Clark Street (Belleview) and Jefferson went on sale. The block was in a subdivision known as Whitehouse Place, which developers advertised as including 40 homes. In 1930, they were filled with bungalows, Queen Anne’s, and three-story houses. No two were alike, but they

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