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.