Musings

Historic Kansas City: 2021-22 Historic Awards Celebration  

October 5, 2023; Drexel Hall, 1330 East Linwood Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri.

Presented by www.historickansascity.org and major sponsors Strata Architecture + Preservation, Rosin Preservation, and Marvin (historic windows and doors)

The historic Drexel Hall created the perfect setting to celebrate and recognize the fifteen most significant achievements of recent historic preservation in Kansas City.  Over 150 historic preservation activists, owners, designers, architects, contractors, specialists, professionals, stakeholders, and students enjoyed an evening highlighting those accomplishments while enjoying food, drink, and networking among like-minded people passionate about preserving and re-interpreting the local built-up environment.

Drexel Hall, now the home of the Kansas City Irish Center, represents the fascinating story of early feminist firebrand Barbara Drexel Bescher.  It has restored architectural features that celebrate historical preservation and a story of hosting labor and political meetings that helped shape Kansas City’s past and future.

Vicki Noteis, current President of Historic Kansas City, welcomed the energetic crowd and acknowledged the service of the board members and hard-working professionals that delivered the remarkable projects to be recognized on this important night.

Past Presidents and board members of Historic Kansas City briefly described the criteria for each category and recognized the selected winners.  Each winning group typically included project owners, architects, engineering firms, preservation practitioners and specialist contractor firms, which is indicative of the highly collaborative nature of successful historic preservation.

Best Preservation Practices…honored outstanding work in the rehabilitation, restoration or reconstruction of a structure, or the outstanding work of a craftsperson on such a project.  The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum, The Mid-Western, and Parkway Towers Condominium were winners in this category.

Contemporary Design in Historic Context…awarded to a project that displays appropriate and innovative design in a historic context.  The Kirk Family YMCA was singled out for keeping the exterior facades of the historic Lyric Theater while converting the interior and adjacent space to fitness facilities.

Best Adaptive Re-Use…for projects that are exemplary examples of creative, innovative, and appropriate re-use of a historic structure.  Winners were the Bonner Springs Government Services Center, Vanderslice Hall (Kansas City Art Institute) and Mid-Continent Public Library Woodneath Branch.

Jane Flynn Pillars of Preservation…for an individual or partnership that has championed historic preservation, planning, or public policy.  This award celebrates the legacy of Jane Flynn (1924-2006), who dedicated over 35 years of her life to preserving Kansas City’s historic buildings.  She served on many preservation boards including President of Historic Kansas City.  She said, “…I would stand in front of the wrecking ball to stop the demolition of a historic building.”   With a similar zeal, Jim Shraeder, Architect, was recognized for his career in Wyandotte County championing historic preservation and effectively steering the Unified Government to keep historic preservation in the forefront of their city planning efforts.

Neighborhood Stabilization…awarded to a project, individual, business or group that greatly contributed to revitalization of a historic neighborhood or reclamation of abandoned or poorly maintained property or structure.  Outstanding results in 2021/22 were delivered by the Kansas City Community Land Trust, Habitat for Humanity Headquarters, and Jackson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate: For Children). Each of these organizations symbolized the power of historic preservation sensibilities to strengthen neighborhoods and enrich the lives of their constituents through excellence in structures that serve basic human needs.

Trailblazers Award…recognized outstanding achievement in preservation activities by a group, business, municipality, neighborhood, or organization.  The neighborhood group, Short-term Rental Working Group, effectively lobbied and worked with elected officials to pass two ordinances that will stem the unintended negative consequences of too many short-term rentals (e.g., AirBnB and VRBO) concentrated in neighborhoods already suffering from a lack of available housing.

Best Contribution to Affordable Housing Through Preservation…honors the best work of those who have repurposed or rehabilitated multi-family buildings.  The Oglesby Hotel Apartments and Town House Renaissance were outstanding recent examples of enhancing the neighborhood around them while also creating affordable living spaces.

George Ehrlich Award…for an outstanding publication in preservation history or urban design.  The book Kansas City’s Montgall Avenue: Black Leaders and the Street They Called Home by Margie Carr tells the story of a single city block in a now-blighted area of Kansas City that helped raise numerous important individuals that went on to significant leadership roles in the region.

The Historic Kansas City organization itself and an awards ceremony like this can only exist thanks to the commitment of key sponsors and support from a broad group of companies and members.  Leadership sponsorship of this year’s event included Silver Sponsors Rosin Preservation (policy, planning, tax credits) and Marvin (windows and doors).  Diamond Sponsor was Strata Architecture + Preservation (architecture, preservation).  In addition, two dozen construction, engineering, design, and specialty contractor companies contributed to Historic Kansas City’s mission and programs.

Personally, the evening gave me an introductory insight into the people and companies inspiring and driving historic preservation in this region.  A very affable gentleman, David Meditz, intimately knowledgeable about Wyandotte County history and preservation activities, was interested in my activities with the WyCo/UG trailhead and legacy monument project.  Mr. Meditz introduced me to key members of the WyCo/UG planning department and the county Historic Preservationist, Randy Greeves. 

Historic Preservation work is multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary and projects can be complex and have long timelines before the results come to fruition.  An awards ceremony provides an opportunity for the people doing the work to pause, discuss, and recognize the significance of their contributions to building a more interesting and better built society.  Congratulations to the deserving recipients and thank you to Historic Kansas City (and their sponsors!) for maintaining the momentum of this important building block of our community.

     James N. Meeks, Student, University of Missouri-Kansas City