Historic Nelle Peters debate heats up Tuesday

A campaign to delay demolition of three small apartment buildings on the west side of the Country Club Plaza gets a key public hearing Tuesday.

The Kansas City Plan Commission will consider the Historic Kansas City Foundation’s request that the buildings at 47th and Summit Streets be included in an existing Nelle Peters historic district. That could help stave off demolition for up to three years.

The commission’s decision is just a recommendation, and the ultimate decision rests with the City Council.

Preservationists say the buildings, which date to 1927 but weren’t previously included in an existing Nelle Peters district, deserve to be saved as examples from one of Kansas City’s premier architects.

But Price Brothers Development, which purchased the buildings in 2014, argues they are in horrible condition inside, are not historically significant and can’t be restored without exorbitant expense.

This story was originally published October 5, 2015 at 4:45 PM with the headline "Historic Nelle Peters debate heats up Tuesday."