KC Council rejects call to preserve three Plaza-area Nelle Peters apartments

Demolition will likely begin soon on three small Nelle Peters apartment buildings near the Country Club Plaza, after the City Council voted Thursday against historic designation status for the property.

Preservationists had sought the designation to stave off the wrecking ball for up to three years for the three Green Gables apartments in the 4700 block of Summit Street.

But the council sided with the developer, Price Brothers, who said the apartments were hopelessly outdated and restoration was not financially viable.

“This was a very difficult decision for all of us,” said Councilwoman Heather Hall, who noted that these buildings were part of the Plaza’s charming character and ambiance, but that they were severely deteriorated and vacant.

Three council members — Katheryn Shields, Jolie Justus and Scott Wagner — voted in favor of historic designation. But nine council members opposed it.

“We are pleased the City Council recognized it’s not financially feasible to rehabilitate these properties,” said Jim Bowers, an attorney representing the property’s owner, Price Brothers.

Thursday’s vote culminates a battle that began last summer, when Price Brothers pulled a predemolition permit to knock down the buildings.

The Historic Kansas City Foundation filed an application to include these three buildings, built in 1927, in an existing historic district of structures designed by renowned local architect Nelle Peters. That application temporarily halted the demolition process.

Preservationists said the Green Gables apartments were historically significant enough to be added to the existing Nelle Peters thematic district and should be saved and restored as moderately priced housing.

But Doug Price, president of Price Brothers, told a council committee last week that when he bought the buildings for $3.6 million in 2014, the city assured him they did not have historic protections and there were no restrictions on demolition.

He said the purchase price was predicated on developing the land with a new multifamily residential project. An expert for Price Brothers told the committee the Nelle Peters apartments were so tiny and antiquated that they could not be restored in a financially practical way, with any decent return on investment.

Bowers noted Thursday that Price Brothers in recent months had contacted seven potential buyers specializing in historic preservation, exploring possible redevelopment options. A few made offers, but for just a fraction of the Price Brothers’ purchase price.

With this council vote, Bowers said demolition can resume soon, after a utility relocation. A new multifamily residential property is contemplated for that space, but no formal plan has been submitted to the city.

Bowers said whatever is built will be compatible with the surrounding Plaza architecture.

While this was a loss for the Historic Kansas City Foundation, the board issued a statement saying it was a worthwhile cause that garnered significant public support.

“This was a vigorous fight that will certainly give owners and developers pause about demolitions in the future,” the statement said. “We brought attention to the need for greater protection in and around the Plaza, as called for in the just-passed Midtown-Plaza plan.”

Despite the setback, the organization held out hope “that this loss will lead to awareness about the need for city policies and creative partnerships that are proactive, and lead to positive preservation outcomes.”

This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 3:37 PM with the headline "KC Council rejects call to preserve three Plaza-area Nelle Peters apartments."