Photo courtesy KCTV5.
The Midtown KC Post is helping to document the loss of 23 homes and other structures between 33rd and 35th Streets from Summit to Pennsylvania that Kansas City Life Insurance is demolishing. On Oct. 28, residents of Valentine and others held a memorial service for the homes that are being lost.
The Kansas City Life Insurance Company had notified the neighborhood that it planned to demolish the properties. Valentine responded that it has always opposed demolishing homes without a replacement plan. The neighborhood invited Kansas City Life to a meeting to discuss the demolitions and its plans for the future, but Kansas City Life declined to attend and did not share any plans. Demolition of the homes began on Oct. 23, 2024 and is continuing.
It’s easy to overlook the demolition of a house or apartment building here or there. But in this part of Midtown, vast swaths of homes have been wiped out over the years. The block now being demolished was once a thriving community. This Sanborn Fire Insurance map from 1909 shows the more than 80 homes and neighborhood businesses stood on the block that year. The early 1900s were the peak year of the neighborhood being developed, so this gives a good picture of what the area looked like when it was full of families and businesses. There were even two grocery stores.
Last week, there were 30 properties still standing on the block. By the end of the proposed demolition, there will be only eight properties left in the four-block area. The map below shows the buildings on the block as of last week before demolition began. Those with red xs have either been demolished are are proposed to be demolished. If all of the demolition occurs, there will be eight properties left in the four-block area.
The Valentine Neighborhood is posting updates on the demolition.