Concerns mount over fires at KC’s historic Parade Park complex as demolition nears
Despite installing cameras, new fencing and hiring additional security, fires have continued to break out at the historic Parade Park complex where a new $300 million project is slated.
In the past 12 months or so, there’ve been more than a dozen fires — some classified as arson or as caused by unhoused individuals. And just last week, after developers touted improved security measures for the vacant site, Kansas City firefighters were called to yet another blaze.
With demolition still not set to begin for another two weeks, security concerns at the complex persist. That holds especially true with frigid temperatures in the forecast for the coming days and many in the unhoused community potentially looking for shelter.
“Ensuring the property is secured and the community remains safe continues to be a major focus for our team,” Jason Parson, Parade Park project spokesman, said in an email last week to The Star. “We are committed to moving the project forward in a timely manner and look forward to starting demolition in the next few weeks.”
On Wednesday, Parson said prep work for demolition has already begun at the historic Black-owned housing cooperative in Kansas City’s 18th and Vine Jazz District. And, he said, “demolition will start in the next two weeks.”
Sgt. Phil DiMartino, a spokesman with the Kansas City Police Department said patrol has directed “more overnight patrols to the area.” That includes, he said, the department’s proactive units.
“The city is actively adding additional security measures around the points of entry of the buildings,” DiMartino said.
‘Focused on public safety’
Demolition of the historic Parade Park buildings was scheduled for last month, but was delayed as developers secured additional funding for the complex’s ambitious revitalization project.
The fire department has responded to several fires at the location in just the past three months.
Kansas City spokesperson Sherae Honeycutt said the city is “aware of recent fire activity” at the complex and is “focused on public safety during the interim period before demolition.”
“Vacant structures present inherent risks, particularly when sites experience repeated incidents, and the City takes those concerns seriously,” Honeycutt said in an email. “The City is working closely with the property owner to address site conditions and safety.”
Under City code, property owners are responsible for securing vacant structures, she said.
“And the City enforces compliance through its established code enforcement processes,” Honeycutt said. “Based on information provided to the City, the site has been fenced, entry points boarded and additional security measures implemented, including roving patrols and camera monitoring.”
“The Neighborhood Services Department has issued notices requiring the structures to be secured, and those orders have been met.”
Shelter from the cold?
Historically, fire officials say, there’s an uptick in fires during the winter months, particularly in vacant structures during colder temperatures.
“As temperatures drop, those that may be houseless, find a place to shelter from the cold,” said Battalion Chief Riley Nolan of the Kansas City Fire Department in an email. “When this occurs, warming fires and fires for cooking can oftentimes lead to larger incidents.”
Firefighters responded to a reported fire at the Parade Park complex in the 2100 block of E 15th Terrace in the early morning hours of Jan. 15. On arrival, they were met with heavy fire.
The first crews on the scene found the two-story vacant building fully engulfed in flames, the fire department said.
Nolan said there has been a “larger focus on securing the area,” and security officers have been seen removing people from the complex.
Redevelopment at the 510-unit housing cooperative broke ground in October, when the city and private developers celebrated plans for the $300 million project to bring 1,100 affordable homes to the community, just two days after one of the fires.
Since then, the ongoing blazes have forced officials to board up multiple two-story buildings at the soon-to-be demolished complex.
The city’s dangerous buildings department and city planning office have also been called to the scene several times.
The Star’s Robert A. Cronkleton contributed to this report.
