Under the Influence of Government Programs

Recent announcements in the neighborhood that this blog need to catch up on include work on the MyArts location at the old car dealership building on North Main funded by the county government’s COMBAT program and a proposed re-rehabilitation of the Palmer School Building for low-income seniors. We’ve already reported about several other programs in the National Historic Landmark District for those convicted of drug crimes. We also have multiple programs for the poor, hungry, disadvantaged, and the criminally challenged. If we still had our Statue of Liberty situated in it historic location on Pleasant Street, she would cry out “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning for controlled substances. “ The MyArts and the Palmer “do-over” have the potential to contribute positively to our historic community. And we need to embrace the diversity of the Truman Neighborhood, one of its biggest assets. Our diversity is not just in our people but include our housing types, architecture, and historical context. We should not forget that the diverse nature of the neighborhood has to include market-rate, non-subsidized investments targeted at young families with the resources to invest in owner-occupied properties. This is critical to achieve an appropriate and sustainable balance. The primary goal established by the Midtown / Truman Road Corridor Neighborhood Revitalization Planand unanimously adopted by the City Council was to increase the number of owner-occupied properties in the neighborhood. From that perspective, some current proposals and trends are taking us a few steps backwards. And it needs to be noted that in the current economic downturn, the marketplace has already created affordable housing without the dependency on government subsidies. Our addiction to government-subsidies appears to be reinforcing the current stereotypes of our city most recently presented in a cover story in The Pitch (local magazine) entitled “Independence’s Rap as Meth City USA Needs Tweaking” which also references the New York Times article of last year, “In Truman Homes, Reflections of a City”, depicting Independence as an economically & pharmaceutically challenged community that is aging and in search of the next fix. If governments are going to invest in programs in the heart of one of our nation’s most important neighborhoods, then they have an obligation to make sure those investments align with local planning goals, are coordinated with other nearby programs, are sustainable even when all levels of governments will soon be forced to make drastic cuts, and are well-supervised and audited periodically for their effectiveness. Unfortunately, this has not always been the case. This blog has reported several times that government investment does not assure success and, in some cases, make situations worst. It took decades to realize that the “Urban Renewal” programs from the 1960’s and 1970’s drove away private investments, encouraged segregation, and failed to protect valuable historic resources. History is supposed to provide lessons so we don’t make similar mistakes over and over again. And it seems when Independence comes up short in city planning and community stewardship, it ends up in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and in hardback version published by the University of Missouri Press.

A Salute to Veterans & the Truman National Historic Landmark District

Eleven / Eleven / Eleven is lucky for the mild autumn day we have to be reminded of the great sacrifices of generations of veterans and their families. The community they built for us is embodied in the Harry S Truman National Historic Landmark District which is also celebrating a big day today: the 40^th anniversary of its establishment in 1971. The district, with its recent expansion, also includes the gravesite of Truman, WWI veteran and Commander and Chief of forces during victories of WWII. The district also includes his home and the homes of his family, friends, and associates. Don’t forget the Memorial Building dedicated to the WWI veterans. And don’t forget the churches where we are truly blessed to exercise the freedom to worship God in the manner of our choosing and the school buildings where generations of young people learned what being a citizen of the United States is all about. In fact, the Truman National Historic Landmark District is one of the epicenters of our nation’s great history. Its celebration, preservation, and protection has to be at the top of the list along our civic goals. A celebration is occurring tomorrow for the Truman District that will include lectures, a movie, and some open houses. Please stop by and see how important this neighborhood is to us and the nation. Make this pilgrimage for the sack of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms and our quality of life. God Bless the United States of American!

Jobs, Jobs, & Jobs

This is all the talk coming from Washington, D.C. and in Jefferson City. It is also in the political debates and the basis of judging all legislation from both sides of the political spectrum. Other goals in the quest to improve the economy have been rebuilding our communities, economic development, adopting green & sustainable principles, promoting education, and stabilizing neighborhoods and neighborhood schools. Guess what? Missouri communities who promote historic preservation can accomplish all these things. Nationally know economist, Donavon Rypkema, studied this in our state and came up with the following conclusions. That public money invested through the historic preservation tax credit program creates more jobs than spending on new construction, highways, and even manufacturing. And investments in our real estate are capital expenses that create jobs during renovations with positions that cannot be outsourced. The best part is that most of the investment is private money not government money. Renovated properties become assets that are put into the service of creating more jobs in tourism, small businesses and in creating housing for families while stabilizing neighborhoods and communities. So why are state legislators considering putting caps on this program? And why aren’t the Independence Chamber and the Council for Economic Development promoting this tax credit program, especially now that the National Historic Landmark District has been expanded? And why aren’t the US Congress and the White House including revitalization and preservation programs in their job-creation plans? It seems to me the reasons these programs are left out is that there is a lack of understanding about the benefits of historic preservation and that citizens are not demanding it. If you feel strongly about this as much as I do, please let your voices be heard at City Hall, Jefferson City, and Washington, D.C. Ask candidates where they stand on historic preservation as tool for economic development and creating jobs. Become a lobbyist for job creation. Support historic preservation!

Sidewalk Shrapnel from the “War on Drugs”

Here at the front lines in the neighborhood battle grounds, the enemy is not readily visible for those nonresidents. Some may say it’s like finding a needle in a hay stack. But for those who live here in the neighborhood, the needles are actually easy to find. In fact, you have to watch where you step. The needle and syringe shown above in the photo was on our sidewalk last weekend. And neighbors around the corner stumbled on a kid’s Libby Lu bag full of drug paraphernalia on their property and another neighbor next to them had found about a half-dozen syringes on their property. If absentee landlords do not hesitate to rent to known sex offenders with records of violence against children, then they’re not likely bothered by drug use on their property. We should not be totally surprised that folks who have committed drug crimes are in our neighborhood. The fact is that drug offenders are given an official invitation to come to the Truman National Historic Landmark District every week. Most of the mandatory drug counseling meetings in Independence are conducted in the lower level of the First Baptist Church while the county government offers a special “Drug Court” right on Main Street directly across from the old Court House and below the watchful eye of sculptured bronze statue of President Truman holding his walking cane, perched prominently and respectfully on an engraved pedestal. We should be proud to host programs that are intended to help people here in the neighborhood. But are these programs successful?According the US Office of National Drug Control Policy, one out of every ten 8^th grade students reported using an illicit drug in the last 30 days. Are we providing adequate resources and a stable revenue source to fund our Police Department’s efforts to fight drug activities in our neighborhoods? Drug problems in the community contribute to neighborhood crime, problems in our schools, homelessness, and public health issues while putting a strain on the tight budgets of local governments. Are we winning the War on Drugs? From the perspective of our area of the National Historic Landmark District, it appears not. We are, however, blessed here in Jackson County to have a special funding source with a program called COMBAT to address these drug problems in our communities. And there are success stories to tell, which we all heard during the last election. But with the legendary stories of the great accomplishments of our 19^th-century pioneers on the trails, the Civil War battles, and the rise of world leader Harry S Truman, one of the nation’s most important neighborhoods also deserves to have success stories in our struggles with keeping our youth free of the dependencies of drugs, social welfare, and cultures of crime. Actually, we could really use someone like Harry Truman back here in his neighborhood and not just in bronze. And history tells us that Harry knew how to end a war!

Parking Lot “Postscripts”

As a postscript to the Bank of America park lot story at the corner of White Oak & Osage, it finally got an upgrade. No, it wasn’t cleaning up the weeds, trash, debris, or removing the rusty barbed wire fencing. The guard posts, that support the chains that are there to keep people from parking there, got a freshening up with a new coat of yellow paint. That’s right. The guard posts and chains are intended to prohibit any of their neighbors from parking there, unless, of course, it’s Santa-Cali-Gon. Who are their neighbors? That would include Independence Chamber of Commerce, Commerce Bank (their competitor), the Truman Heartland Community Foundation (who moved out a few weeks ago), and immediately to west located in the National Historic Landmark District, Hillcrest Ministries (family homeless shelter). Actually, families who need the services provided by Hillcrest because of, for example, “bank” foreclosures, don’t even have a place to park except for the street. If you haven’t figured it out, Independence if full of ironies, but this one takes the funnel cake. But, wow, those are some good-looking posts. Great job BofA! You might swing by there during Santa-Cali-Gon and admire all four of these wonderful bright yellow posts. And while you’re there, ask the good folks selling parking spots for $5.00 to clean up the mess when they are done so the parking lot will be ready when the chains go back up for the next 361 days. Yes, I would hope the clean up would include the mess that was there before they started. I know that is above and beyond the call of duty, but good folks always seem to forget that this area is a “Presidential Neighborhood.”

As postscript to this postscript and in breaking national news, just a few days ago, Warren Buffett has agree to invest $5 billion in BofA whose stock shares have been dropping over financial worries in the economy. A few recommendations to Mr. Buffett; you might suggest changes in the management structure at BofA. When all decisions are made in Charlotte, NC concerning the management of their assets world-wide, sometimes they miss the target when it comes to important local interests and concerns. I guess we should extend a “Welcome to the Neighborhood” to Warren Buffet & Co. who will actually end up owning a piece of this parking lot. Yes, that’s right, now Warren Buffet will be involved in Santa-Cali-Gon.

Foundation Loses its Footing in Truman’s Neighborhood

After two decades in the Commerce Bank Building at Truman Road and Osage, the “Truman Heartland” Community Foundation is moving to the Little Blue Parkway. This move comes right after the US Department of the Interior announced the expansion of the Truman National Historic Landmark District that placed the new and improved district on three sides of the Commerce Bank block. The district expansion announcement is intended to invoke community pride and a desire for institutions and families to want to reinforce their presence in an area that was truly near and dear to the heart of President Truman. Now the Foundation joins the list of other institutions that have left Old Town to improve their lots and to better serve the community. Local families have to make these decisions all the time; whether to stay in their home and neighborhood or to move to another part of town or another community where it perceived to be more stable and prosperous. A reoccurring theme from the National Trust for Historic Preservation has been just two words: “Place Matters.” These special historic spaces and districts are not intended to be admired and studied from afar. Successful historic districts nation-wide are ones that are relevant to today’s modern living. They are places where people live, children attend school, employees work, shoppers spend money, souls worship, and tourists walk. The new and improved-expanded Truman National Historic Landmark District will only be successful when all aspects of our community appreciate and respect these spaces. Are we there yet? Good luck to the good folks at the Truman Heartland Community Foundation in their new space on the southern edge of town, but please, don’t forget about Truman’s true heartland, his beloved neighborhood.

A Towering Example of Citizenship

We need to extend a big “Thank You” to Noland Towers at 130 E. College here in Old Town Independence. Why? Is it because they maintain their buildings & grounds beautifully and provide good, clean, affordable housing for our senior citizens? Heritage House does these things also, so should we thank them? What makes Noland Towers special is the fact that they are paying their taxes and have been for decades. Now this may not sound like such a big deal, but here in Old Town it is. In fact, with the exodus of the hospital, I believe that leaves the Noland Towers property as the largest contributor of property tax revenue for local governments here in Old Town. They are a towering example that for-profit business entities, especially those in the real estate business, do not have to be charities to maintain a successful presence here. Just their occupation of that property generates revenue for schools, libraries, local governments, emergency medical responses, public transportation, and police protection (all elements of quality of life especially important to senior citizens). We hear of the conservative, religious, tea party movement where taxes are considered, in some cases, a sin. I believe just the opposite. It is actually our civic and, yes, our Christian duty to support our community, to support the less fortunate and disadvantaged, to support our most valuable resource (the education of our youth), and to provide planning & programs to make Independence “The Place to Be.” Yes, it is true, here in Independence the disadvantaged also includes retail developers and empty seats at the Events Center but, for the most part, tax revenue goes toward important things. Thanks again to the good folks at Noland Towers, “A Beautiful Place to Live! Have a Nice Day!”

Thank You National Park Service!

With all the turmoil in Washington DC with the budget talks, federal folks at the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service did get something right. Wednesday, the Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, officially announced the boundary expansion of the Truman National Historic Landmark District. This should be a time of celebration and pride, but more importantly; this should be a call for us as a community to roll up our sleeves and get to work. This means all the newly designated properties are now eligible for several tax credit programs for rehabilitation and preservation. This means our beloved Courthouse which has been struggling for funding is now eligible for more grants. Logic and common sense leads most folks to conclude that what is important to the nation should also be important to local citizens. So let’s move forward to expand the local Truman Heritage District boundaries to align with the national boundaries. And last but not least, this means our Tourism Department, economic development community, Chamber of Commerce, Community Development Department, and our business community of bankers, realtors, restaurants, etc. have more ammunition to promote our historic community. Congratulations to the citizens of the United States for this effort led by past Superintendent Jim Sanders and the entire team from the NPS. Thanks also to local citizens to traveled to Washington DC to provide testimony in the public hearings. You will probably here on City 7 at Monday’s City Council meeting city officials take credit for this action. The fact is that direct decisions by the City Council to approve several demolitions on Truman Road actually caused the NPS to go back to the drawing board with the application and reduce the boundaries of the district (you won’t hear that on City 7). City Hall will deserve praise and credit only after the local Truman Heritage District boundaries are expanded to match the federal district. Preservation happens primarily at the local level. It sounds like the Historic Preservation Manager position at City Hall is not just important but will be critical to the future success of the new and improved Truman National Historic Landmark District. By the way, that position is currently vacant.

Happy Founder’s Day!

Hope everyone will be taking part in the celebrations. It is a day we remember those who came before us, who took a chance and settled here at the edge of the frontier, and who outfitted the wagon trails that settled the western half of the country. It will be a day that we want our yards to be spruced up and have the stars and stripes proudly displayed. Visitors will be walking on the sidewalks so be sure to wave and welcome them. We have a lot to be proud of living here in Independence. Even our name projects a spirit of patriotism and pride. It was Pulitzer Prize winning author and noted historian, David McCullough, who said in reference to this area, “I can’t think of another piece of landscape of similar size where so many things happened that have been of significance in to the story of America.” That means our Founder’s Day is not just important to those of us who live here, but it is even more important to all citizens of this great nation. So when is Founder’s Day? This day is actually easy to remember and you won’t even need to mark it on your calendar. You see, practically every day is Founder’s Day here in Old Town Independence. It is celebrated 361 days a year. In fact, everything we do to make our properties shine is a celebration of our tremendous history. From the Truman Home National Historic Site on Delaware Street, 20,000 visitors from all over the world walk our sidewalks and view our streetscapes. Very few communities have the opportunities to shine and celebrate what we have here in Old Town Independence. So let’s observe Founder’s Day!!! But why only 361 days a year and not 365? Well, there’s this event called Santa-Cali-Gon on Labor Day weekend where we actually make it difficult for visitors to get to many of our historic sites and where we actually reward those who have paved over our history with lucrative parking sales. Yes, that’s right, we actually have more incentives to bulldoze than we do to preserve here in Old Town. So, please, as you greet folks today and tomorrow and the next day and the next and ……………… , wish them a “Happy Founder’s Day.” If someone asks you about Founder’s Day, then tell them “except for 4 days in September, every day is Founder’s Day here in Independence!”

Is it Time to Clean the “Chamber” Pot?

We were pleased that the independence Chamber of Commerce (ICC) decided to locate here in Old Town, especially on the north side the Square where acres of blighted asphalt remained in the fallout of Urban Renewal. Their new building was attractive and we figured the local business community and civic leaders would not tolerate the new ICC headquarters being adjacent to undeveloped and blighted empty spaces. But we were wrong. As it turned out, the open space was actually critical for ICC’s Labor Day festival, Santa-Cali-Gon, its primary source of revenue. We appreciate The Examiner’s recent reporting about concerns in the local business community and, yes, past reporting about situations down in the Little Blue Valley. It’s interesting to read in The Examiner that the ICC Board spokesperson defending the executive leadership of ICC was the same spokesperson for the City Manager and the City Council in a meeting in early March defending their stealth approach to millions of dollars in debt payments after short falls in the Bass Pro development. Now I’m no accountant and do not think organizations should be judged solely on their bookkeeping. If it were me, I would first judge the current ICC leadership (board members & executives) on performance by asking the following questions:

· Are ICC leaders offering appropriate leadership in the community and at City Hall when it comes to present economic conditions, especially at the Bass Pro development?

· Is ICC promoting not just business development in Independence but also promoting members to actually live within the city limits of Independence?

· Is ICC promoting attractive economical development tools offered by state and federal governments, i.e., Historic Preservation Tax Credits for historic properties and tourism-related business opportunities?

· Is ICC taking advantage of its location in the heart of local tourist sites and The Square to promote Heritage Tourism?

While traveling recently through a small community 500 miles from here (pop. less than 1,500) we picked up a wonderful 48-page full-color magazine promoting local businesses and tourist sites published by the local chamber of commerce. It was obvious that the local chamber was not just supporting its own organization but was promoting the local community and surrounding towns while focusing on its strengths: heritage tourism. There was a sense of community, cooperation, and pride with all the businesses and sites. We ended up staying 3 nights and spending a few bucks. And it was about 50 miles to the nearest Interstate Highway. Here in Independence, we have so much more to offer travelers. But I’ll ask one more question. Are we as a community prepared to take advantage of these opportunities?

Forecast Calls for Windy Departure

This is last week for Wendy Shay, the City of Independence Historic Preservation Manager, who recently resigned. We wish her luck on her new career moves. It is our understanding that she has agreed to work, as needed and part-time, for the city to maintain the current program of oversight of the Heritage Commission and their management of our small historic district until, we hope, a replacement is found. We appreciate her dedication to the cause even in her departure. Wendy was the fourth Historic Preservation Manager for the City of Independence since the 1970’s when the city started what was then one the earliest and most significant preservation programs in the state. As with all the city preservation staff in the last 4 decades, you’re either criticized for doing too much and/or for not doing enough. And while you search for the appropriate balance that you would expect to see in a normal community, you realize that a balance really doesn’t exist in Independence. City Hall needs to know that this position and its important oversight of the Heritage Commission is important, especially here in Independence where there are absolutely no local preservation groups to be found. The absence of this position is an issue with our accreditation with the State Office (Certified Local Government Program), our eligibility for grants, our ability to administer grants, and our capacity to review and provide input into public improvement projects that impact historical and cultural resources. And with the city being under the weather with their budget, there is not a lot of incentive to fill the position anytime soon. With Windy’s departure, what is the long range forecast for our historic community here in Independence, one of the most historic communities in the Midwest?

The Big Heist in the Little Blue Valley

No, it was not a gang of ambitious retail developers of recent times, although that saga has yet to run its course. The date was October 8^th, 1879. The most notorious criminal was about to come out of hiding in Tennessee after three years to again hit the region and the institutions that fought him in the War of Northern Aggression. Yes, we are talking about the infamous Jesse James and he was coming with a new group of outlaws totaling six. Finding old Confederates and guerrilla bushwhackers to join his new gang proved difficult this time around since it had been 14 years since the end of the Civil War. His new band proved to have issues with loyalty and reliability but their first robbery ended up a success. It started at the Chicago & Alton Railroad Depot located in a small rural community called Glendale near what is today the intersection of 39^th Street and Little Blue Parkway. You can see the same railroad tracks just north of that intersection. The big heist started with holding hostages at the depot and smashing the telegraph equipment. Then they rolled stones on the tracks to make sure the train would stop and it finally did at 8:00 pm. No one was shot or killed, a few were hit with the back of their guns, and no passengers were robbed. But the Jesse James Gang road away with $5,000 to $60,000 in cash taken from the safe in the train’s express car. The new Jesse James Gang would strike again on this same stretch of railroad track several years later on September 7, 1881 which was reported to be their last train robbery before Jesse was murdered with a shot in the back in St. Joseph by one of his own men (the subject of a recent Brad Pitt movie). The rich history and dramatic stories of our community are not limited to those areas on and around the Square. And our past experience of treating our history as an obstacle instead of an opportunity does not need to be followed in our precious valley. The fact is that this important history in the valley can add value and attract cash to our retail centers and hungry visitors to our restaurants. And those interested in Jesse James may also be interested in the jail cell that held his brother, Frank, or the city park where Frank was buried. This is how “Heritage Tourism” works. We do not have to fabricate stuff that is not real to add value to our community. The diverse and rich history of Independence extends from sinners to Saints and from pioneers to presidents. We should learn and promote this history so we can give all areas of our city, including the Little Blue Valley, every opportunity to have value and to be successful.

Double Standards

The photo above shows the tall weeds and grass on the empty lots owned and maintained by the Midtown / Truman Road Corridor (MTRC) Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation. The photo speaks for itself. MTRC is the group that decides if local property owners meet minimum property maintenance codes while investing their property in order to get tax abatement. This corner was originally intended to mark the entrance into the Truman National Historic Landmark District. Unfortunately, the National Park Service moved the entrance back to its original location at the corner of Union & Truman. It appears MTRC not only has problems with preservation standards but also has difficulty with basic property maintenance standards. If the MTRC Board managed the program into the red, then I would expect board members to show up and mow the grass and cut the weeds. That’s what “responsibility” is all about. That’s right, I used the “R” word. MTRC needs to be setting the example for property owners, especially on such a visible corner, especially adjacent to a “Presidential” neighborhood, and especially during these peak months of tourism.

Joplin, Missouri – "A Community with Character"

As the Memorial Day Weekend approached, I knew I could get the phone call at any time and it came at 4:00 pm late Friday afternoon. By 8:00 am Saturday morning, I was in Joplin, Missouri at ground zero of the recent F-5 tornado assisting the City of Joplin and the State Emergency Management Agency with public safety issues related to damaged buildings and homes. Now you’ve seen the reports and stories all over each of the news networks and CNN. But the real story is the sense of community and the wonderful spirit that we experienced as we went house-to-house and block-to-block. The property owners, families, friends, and the multitudes of volunteers were working hard and were bound and determined to not only clean up what was left of their lives but to make the city even better. Everyone was grateful and appreciative of our support. It was clear to me that the city leadership, local public safety leaders and employees, and the local building engineers and inspectors were not only dedicated to their jobs and their community but also lived within the city limits of the community they served. Their leadership was not outsourced to non-residents and you could tell it from the touch of their handshakes and the quiver in their voices. I was proud to stand with them in their important work. But this experience got me thinking. How would Independence handle a similar situation? If entire blocks of homes in my neighborhood were wiped off the face of the earth, would those displaced families and souls choose to rebuild their lives here? How would our leadership handle such a catastrophe? Would the high concentration of absentee landlords help or hinder a successful recovery? Is having only one hospital better than two? Is Independence a community with character? Local folks need to ask these questions now about the preparedness of our community instead of pointing fingers in the aftermath of such an event. The photo above was taken six days after the tornado and you can see the overwhelming task the good folks in Joplin have ahead of them. Please support the recovery efforts in Joplin, “A Community with Character.” They need supplies, financial support, and your prayers.

No “Landmark” Left Behind

It has been over three years since March 2008 when the old Palmer School building was evacuated and judged to be uninhabitable due to issues with mold. Before the Independence School District (ISD) had invested all that tax money into the facility, it had successfully served as a school building for 8 decades. And, yes, it is an important contributing element in the Harry S Truman National Historic Landmark District. With that said, I believe this situation needs to be put in perspective. To my knowledge, the Palmer School building is one of only a very few public school buildings in the entire country that are designated as either National Historic Landmarks or part of Landmark Districts. The only ones I can think of in this region are the two school buildings in Topeka associated with the Brown vs. Board of Education and Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas (Landmarks associated with the story of our nation’s civil rights movement in the 1950’s). All buildings designated as National Historic Landmarks and those contributing to Landmark Districts are not just important but are critical to the education of US citizens on the history of this great and exceptional country. From our struggles in civil rights to one of the great American stories of a young man with just a high school diploma from ISD and no college degree becoming one of the greatest US Presidents and world leaders in the 20^th century. Actually Palmer Junior High has its own history as it relates to civil rights. During its early years, Independence was a segregated community and African-American students were not allowed to attend there. ISD deserves high marks for its success in Western Independence and for its leadership in completing the new Ennovation Center and administrative offices at the old hospital site. But here in Independence, time and time again, the things that we do poorly overshadow the things we do right. We should all be proud to live in Independence and be a part of a public school district that has been a part of educational excellence since 1866. But that pride can be stronger and radiate beyond our boundaries if we would just remove the large “For Sale” banner on the Palmer building, clean it up, fix the problem, and make it again a contributing component to the educational and civic life of the Truman National Historic Landmark District. I’m reminded of one of the basic principles of stewardship I learned as a young Boy Scout. You “always” leave an area cleaner and in better condition than it was before you occupied it.

City Planning by “Trial & Error”

Here it comes again! The Plaza in Kansas City, our neighbor to the west, is ready for round 4. The local preservation community and even the National Trust for Historic Preservation had already claimed victory last month when the law firm, Polsinelli Shughart, withdrew its proposal to locate its new office building in The Plaza. But the plan is being revived again in the Kansas City Council chambers. Because the property is not a designated historic district, there are no helpful design guidelines, standards, or tax incentives for the property leaving its redevelopment in the hands of its North Carolina owner. The project has been designed, redesigned, redesigned again, and then repackaged to get the local city government on board. Unfortunately, the process has become painful and time-consuming, while making all parties look bad and creating a lose-lose situation, whatever the outcome. Situations were, in a way, similar in Independence in 2003 when Jim Harpool agreed to redevelop residential property on Truman Road but demanded that he be allowed to demolish two properties. He had to bypass the Heritage Commission and go directly to the City Council in order to get his way. But in the end, Harpool never bothered to finish his project leaving empty lots where historic structures once stood and leaving the National Park Service with the task of redrawing the proposed boundaries of the Truman National Historic Landmark District. And all this occurred under the guidance of the publically-funded M/TRC revitalization folks. “Historic Districts” designated and supported by local communities can provide appropriate and reasonable design standards, attractive tax credits, and a level playing field for anyone wanting to invest and contribute in a positive way to historic communities. It protects the valuable assets of our communities and our nation. Opportunities are created for tourism, economic development, and education. Yes, it creates win-win-win-win-win-win situations. Independence leaders need to realize that we do not have to have a successful minor league sports franchise to be considered a winner. And we hope that redevelopment efforts in Kansas City at The Plaza will not cast shadows on the beautiful facades and fountains of this truly architectural treasure. And if Polsinlli Shughart really wants to make a positive contribution in the community where they choose to locate their headquarters, there is a place called The Falls at Crackerneck Creek in the valley of the Little Blue River that is desperate for some tenants.

A “Spring” Story of Lessons Learned – “The Rest of the Story”

Reading of shortfalls at The Falls at Crackerneck Creek, I am reminded of another story several decades ago which also involved lots of public money and water. It was a program called “Urban Renewal” and its target was the Historic Independence Square. Streets were rerouted, entire blocks of historic buildings were clear cut leaving only bare asphalt with no landscaping, and concrete barrier walls were added to fortify the courthouse grounds. It was projected by the experts that wiping the slate clean and creating something new and not-so-authentic was necessary to attract businesses and new generations of shoppers. And as they did at Crackerneck Creek, extra water was pumped into the area to supply a new fountain smack dab in the middle of Main Street and to a new area on the southeast corner of the rerouted Noland Road to simulate what used to be an active spring. A log cabin was uncovered during the road relocation process. It was dismantled and reconstructed to appear as a historic setting of the city’s public spring and today we call it “Pioneer Spring” at the Sermon Center. The actual site of the historic public spring was to the west, located in the path of progress. City water had to be piped in to the faux spring to make it appear as an active spring to visiting tourists. Unfortunately, the syndicated commentator, Paul Harvey, exposed the scam decades ago in his nationally broadcasted radio program called “The Rest of the Story.” The water was eventually turned off. Practically everything that was built in the name of Urban Renewal has since been removed (requiring even further public investments). Was Urban Renewal in Independence considered a success? Have we been successful in maintaining “Pioneer Spring”? Are we learning from past history? Just image, if we as a community would have spent only half the money we invested in plans to create a false sense of place and invest that money in restoring those valuable assets that we already have.

“Taking It to the Next Level”

Most of the blog entries have been related to our neighborhood within the context of our nation’s important presidential history. But there is so much more to Independence. The Independence Square is the epicenter of our nation’s rich pioneer trails history. Most folks know that there are 3 major trails, Santa Fe - California - Oregon, with their beginnings here. Other trails of importance include the Mormon Trail, Lewis & Clark Trail, and the little-known “Trail of Death” of the Potawatomi Indian Tribe in 1838 (yet to be designated). The National Park Service (NPS) has a very active program with professional staff located in 15 states to interpret our nation’s 30 designated National Historic Trails traversing through practically every corner of the country, including Hawaii & Alaska. Independence is the only city in the country to have a connection to more than 3 or 4 of these national trails and we are actually important to 6. And with our central location, one would think that the federal government would include Independence as a prominent location for their staff and resources for national trails. But they do not. In fact, Independence would be the logical choice for the headquarters of the NPS National Trails System. We already have the presence of the NPS here in town, but their primary mission and focus is all about Truman. And most folks don’t know this but our National Frontier Trails Center hosts the national headquarters for the Oregon California Trails Association (OCTA), a not-for-profit group that is very active in promoting and interpreting the history of those two national trails. The City of Independence has done a respectable job with the operation of the “National” Frontier Trails Center with their dedicated staff and volunteers. But with shrinking budgets from City Hall, no federal assistance, and city priorities elsewhere, we cannot take it to the next level. And the expression “Taking It to the Next Level” was meant to be literal. There is an entire second floor in the old mill building that could potentially open up much more space for exhibition, archives, education, and offices. More recent history reminds us that our community did not roll out the red carpet for the NPS decades ago during confrontations between national preservation interests and churches. During that time, good Christian folks sent letters to their congressmen complaining about the NPS’s presence in their community. It becomes evident how our past struggles in preserving and protecting our presidential history spills over into many other aspects of our community. We should not be shy about telling our important stories to the world. And we should not be shy in inviting others outside our community to participate in this exciting venture.

Unpleasantness Continues on Pleasant Street

We are encouraged by the latest proposal to expand the Truman National Historic Landmark District along Pleasant Street. And we appreciated attempts to revitalize Pleasant Street with the award-winning Midtown / Truman Road Corridor Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. These important blocks link the Truman Neighborhood and Square area with McCoy Park and the front steps of the Truman Library. Unfortunately, this blog has reported about arson, abandon & boarded up homes, an abandon school building contaminated with mold, storm water problems, and more recently the rape of an 8-year-old child, all within a few blocks on this street ironically labeled as “Pleasant.” An additional incident to report actually occurred last year at 527/529 N. Pleasant. The duplex mysteriously exploded in the middle of the night. The building has sat vacant, boarded up, and tagged “dangerous” since. Then, just a few weeks ago, the danger actually became evident in the form of a fire. Imagine trying to sell a home or getting an appraisal for a refinance of your home near this duplex. Would you consider investing in this block and moving your family here? As Independence goes through the motions of neighborhood revitalization, we need to realize that current situations on Pleasant Street are considered blight to any neighborhood. When these situations affect one of the nation’s most important residential neighborhoods, it should be considered a national disgrace. As with 1306 W. Maple, these properties seem insignificant by themselves, but within the context of a neighborhood, they can drag down an entire block and beyond. Investments in neighborhood revitalization and historic preservation pay back dividends in the city budgets of tourism, fire, police, and health departments while preserving the tax base and public revenues. And as City Hall attempts to quietly funnel millions of dollars to developers in the Little Blue Valley, our historic neighborhoods scream loud for assistance.

The War We Fought Against Us

One of the most important chapters in American history is that of the Civil War. Many know of strategic battles and military conquests, but one of the most notable military directives ever implemented by the US government was “Order No. 11.” In fact, noted author and historian Albert Castel described Order No. 11 as “the most drastic and repressive military measures directed against civilians by the Union Army during the Civil War.” And he goes on to describe it as “the harshest treatment ever imposed on United States citizens under the plea of military necessity in our Nation’s History." This atrocity was centered here in the 4 border counties of Missouri (Jackson, Cass, Bates, and Vernon) making the town of Independence one of few safe havens for Union loyalist. Artist, George Caleb Bingham, painted the image shown above to make sure citizens did not forget about the atrocities committed by General Ewing’s Order and to make sure his political career after the war was unsuccessful. The stories along the Missouri-Kansas border get left out of many history books. During every college sports season we miss opportunities to tell our youth what the real “Border Showdown” was all about. Important Civil War history is all around us here in Independence. It is in the 1859 Jail & Marshall’s Home, on The Square, in the valley of the Little Blue River, and from March 10 through September 8, it will be featured at the Truman Library in an exhibition of “Bingham’s Missouri.” With the assistance of the State Historical Society of Missouri, the painting, “Order No. 11” by Bingham, made a journey from Columbia, Missouri to Independence for this historic history exhibition. During the sesquicentennial of this “War against Ourselves” we have tremendous opportunities as citizens of the state of Missouri and the city of Independence to make sure these important stories are told to the nation. The story of the Civil War is incomplete without talking about the Missouri-Kansas Border Wars. Visit this wonderful exhibit at the Truman Library and support local and state-wide institutions and historical societies that are presenting this important history to new generations.

Get Real Independence!

Here in Independence, there is something REAL that other communities can’t buy with all the money in the world. It is something that many consider the foundation of a successful community. It can be the basis of economical development and thriving tourism programs. They are building blocks of one-of-a-kind neighborhoods and commercial districts with character and marketable value. They are considered “Green” and sustainable, pedestrian-friendly, and even educational. Yes, I’m talking about our historic built environment. Our historic buildings and landscapes have many stories to tell; stories of pioneer trails, religious missions, Civil War, outlaws, and one of our nation’s greatest presidents. But are we as a community providing adequate protection for these assets? Are we providing public investments in these assets? Huge public investments we’ve see are in the Little Blue Valley and, in particular, at The Falls at Crackerneck Creek, include a fake water fall, a rustic lodge made from fake logs, and stacked limestone blocks holding back the true natural terrain. Were these public investments necessary to move our entire community forward? Independence needs to “Get Real” and choose to invest in the components of our community that make us special. Investing in our historic core can bring back the civic pride and the reputation we once had.

More Pain in the Crackerneck

Great points, Tongue-n-Groove. Another consideration is there's another payment due in Sept. and so the question becomes how much and how much further will the city's reserves be tapped?

Finally, did you love the city council meeting where the "emergency" ordinance was read and nary a word was spoken about it by ANY council member? Why? Too chicken, of course, and hoping no one would notice. Pathetic. It would take a spine to do that.

Tax Payers get Pain in the “Crackerneck”

Breaking news, tax payers of the City of Independence have to make up a $3.5 million difference in debt payments for shortfalls in “The Falls at Crackerneck Creek” and Bass Pro Shops development in the Little Blue Valley. Development partner, Byron Constance, stated that they could not make the March debt service payment. Ironically, just last month the Independence Chamber of Commerce honored Byron with their “Lifetime Member” award reserved for only an elite group of ICC members who have demonstrated distinguished service and leadership in the local business community. And even a little more closer to home, Bryon has served as a board member for the Midtown / Truman Road Corridor Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation, which ironically is also incomplete, out of money, and in the taxpayer’s pockets for approximately $40,000 per year. Citizens need to be aware that the success of the Independence Event Center is also tied to the success of the surrounding retail areas, including The Falls at Crackerneck Creek, since city officials raised the sales tax rate for this area to finance the Event Center. Just because attendance at sporting events appears to be successful, does not mean we are paying down its current $82,155,000 debt. With all our development eggs in the same basket (valley), we have created a situation that “Too Big to Fail” so here comes the government bailouts. Since this blog is also about history, I thought it would be interesting to present the origin of the name “Crackerneck.” Cracknerneck comes from the rough timbered area 6 miles southeast of Independence known as Cracker Neck because the first settlers of that area were poor white people from Georgia, where they were known as Crackers. And the term “Cracker” was a derogatory term for the poor, white trash, settlers in the southern American colonies in the mid-18^th century. Who da thunk that the Crackerneck name would be associated with an up-scale development in Independence.

Market Trends & Spins

After reading The Examiner’s article entitled “2010 was a Positive Year for Independence Tourism”, I’m reminded of the slogan the Kansas City Royal baseball adopted “It All Happens Here.” After reading this article, I thought it was important to actually look at the numbers from the City’s own website. From the skills I learned from Junior High, the numbers are presented above on the bar chart and these numbers speak for themselves. The numbers are expressed in 1000 site visits and should be considered a gauge to measure success and a means of identifying trends. I’ll pass judgment and let those viewing this information make up their own mind on whether 2010 ended on a “Positive” note.

Snow Bank

Yes, it is correct. Bank of America’s small parking lot is still filled with debris. After almost 6 months after our beloved Santa-Cali-Gon Festival, we still get to look at the collateral damage to our community on a daily basis. Someone needs to go to the Independence Chamber of Commerce’s office across the street and repair their window blinds. They are obviously stuck in the closed position. As depicted in the photo above, even the recent massive snow fall and snow drifts were not high enough to cover the mess. Someone tell me why the one of the largest banks in the entire world would own this property and do absolutely nothing with it while jeopardizing their reputation for poor stewardship in a Presidential Neighborhood? This is actually the trillion dollar question!

Sidewalk Upgrade Gets “Stamp” of Approval

After less-than pedestrian efforts from the taxpayer-supported Midtown/Truman Road Corridor Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation to make improvements and/or to enforce their own tax-abatement standards on Delaware Street, Jennifer Clark, director of the Community Development Department at City Hall, comes through with a successful $500,000 grant. Credit also goes to neighbors who assisted with the application and petition in a true grass-roots effort. Congratulations to all the local folks and to all US citizens whose assets will be protected and enhanced. The project includes upgrades for infrastructure and utilities but the most visible impact will likely be the sidewalk improvements. Construction will likely not start until 2012, but that leaves time for appropriate planning and design to assure that we get this right. The sidewalks are proposed to be a special stamped and stained concrete designed to match the large concrete hexagonal multi-colored pavers. Here are some suggestions to consider during the planning and design phase of the project:

· Have contractor construct a sample panel that is portable so that proposed work can be compared to areas where the existing sidewalks have been maintained. Compare colors, textures, joints, finish, and general quality of work and approve sample prior to beginning any work.

· Make sure all utility lines below the sidewalks have been replaced or are in good shape and that the compaction of backfill is appropriately covered.

· Make sure the connections to driveways are strong enough to handle the occasional wheel loads from truck or car while resisting settlement (and tripping hazards).

· For driveways that were widened without Heritage Commission approval (315 N. Delaware – next door to the Mayor), have owner (absentee landlord) reconfigure the driveway to original configuration prior to commencing any work. There should be time in the schedule to implement this now so it will be ready to go next year. If we are going to all this trouble for the sake of authenticity, then adjacent and connecting landscape features should be brought up to code also. And absentee landlords should not be given a free pass to following rules, especially in a National Historic Landmark District and, in particular, within the view shed of the Truman Home National Historic Site. This is a no-brainer.

· Make sure there are provisions for periodic sealing and standards for acceptable deicing chemicals.

· Make sure slab joints follow the hexagonal pattern of the stamped finish.

· Maintain a special fund at City Hall to handle future maintenance of the sidewalks. Maintenance has to include guidelines and specifications for future replacement of sections where utility hook-ups are repaired or where Public Works feels the need to dig a hole. Don’t make the homeowners, DYI amateurs, and/or low-bid utility sub-contractors be responsible for this.

As a final note, consider just replacing the sidewalks with normal concrete. It’s cheaper, easier to maintain, and it’s a historic material also. It is important for us to not only make sure the sidewalks look good immediately after construction, but to make sure they look good for the generations to come. That will be the true test of a successful project. My observations of recent projects in the community are that we tend to pass out honors early, sometimes before projects are even complete, and in other cases, projects that eventually fail. Delaware Street deserves this grant but let’s make sure its implementation is successful.

Niche Market for Local Rental Units

Local news over the weekend has dropped to a new low. And “local” happens to be way to close for comfort. In fact, breaking news can literally unfold from your front porch. Local resident, Randy Landie, was arrested for the rape of an 8-year-girl here in our neighborhood. He was released from a Cass County jail cell earlier for only serving only 120 days for another sexual assault on a child. This crime leaves a lot of neighbors feeling helpless, vulnerable, and frankly shocked, sickened, and very angry. The other transgression is the fact that neighbors knew there were problems and warned city officials months ago that our local sex offenders should not reside in areas where there is a high concentration of children, school bus stops, and on the same block as the First Baptist Church Day Care Center. An examination of on-line county property records indicate that the place Randy Landie called home is owned by a landlord of Lee’s Summit, Missouri. The two other rental properties in Independence that She owns are 420 N. Spring and 123 S. Crysler. If you drive by the small house on Crysler you might notice 7 mailboxes tucked away on the south side. And if you examine on-line sex offender registry records you will find that all 3 of her Independence rental properties have sex offenders residing in them. All 3 are in the M/TRC Revitalization area and 2 are in the expanded Truman National Historic Landmark District. I believe they are also a part of the “12 blocks West” program. I’m sure the placement of sex offenders in housing units is problematic and it would not surprise me to learn that registered sex offenders pay a premium in rent anywhere. She has apparently found a niche market for her real estate business where she holds true to the principles of location-location-location. I would invite those wanting to do more research into the matter to review police reports and code complaints coming from the addresses of her properties. Better yet, knock on the doors of the families who reside on the same block of her rental properties and ask them if they feel safe.

Top 10 for ’10 in Old Town Independence

10. Bank of American, our country’s largest bank holding company with $150 billion in revenue in 2009 and 248,000 employees, continues to struggle to maintain a small parking lot on the corner of White Oak & Osage.

9. Old City Hall at 200 South Main turns 100 years old. Yes, that’s right, behind those trees there is a historic building.

8. A local Main Street program gets a national award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. No, it’s not Independence. It’s the historic community of Lee’s Summit.

7. Our million-dollar tourism program gets a new leader, Cori Day.

6. Delaware Street sidewalks continue to be an obstacle course for tourists and neighbors.

5. National Preservation Month, May 2010, ends in typical Independence style. Yes, with the demolition of 1306 West Maple.

4. The National Park Service and the US Department of the Interior holds hearings in town and in Washington DC for the expansion of the Harry Truman National Historic Landmark District.

3. The National Park Service removes 26 properties on Truman Road and Maple Avenue from the proposed Landmark District Expansion after the Midtown / Truman Road Corridor Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation fails to follow its own standards.

2. As we search for community endorsements for the Landmark Historic District expansion, we learn of a public endorsement from the Independence Public Schools. No, it’s not for the historic district. It’s for a casino in Sugar Creek.

1. The New York Times does a less-than-flattering story on homes that Truman lived in here in Old Town, the “Hardscrabble Suburb.”

Happy New Year!!! Yes, we hope 2011 is better than 2010. Some positive things are in the works and we hope to report about those in 2011.