Parade Park Homes Foreclosure Sales Proceed Amid Mixed Reactions From Residents
Kansas City’s Oldest Black-Owned Housing Cooperative Begins Transformation
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The historic Parade Park Homes, Kansas City’s oldest black-owned housing cooperative, is bracing for a significant transformation after a successful foreclosure sale on Monday. The sale is part of a substantial $275 million redevelopment plan aimed at preserving this iconic community.
Prelude to the Redevelopment Plan
Developers have offered a preliminary preview of their plans for the site. The redevelopment project proposes a total of 1,065 affordable and market-rate apartments, including 60 for-sale units. Community spaces, parks, and playgrounds are also included in the comprehensive plan, bringing much-needed amenities to the residents.
“Disheartening, you know this has been home all my life,” admitted resident Jan Oates, who has lived in Parade Park Homes since her birth. Her parents moved into the area in 1963, and she finds the news of the foreclosure a bitter pill to swallow. She spoke candidly about the impending changes, expressing sorrow that it had come to this point.
Concerns Among Residents
Oates highlighted that most residents of Parade Park Homes are senior citizens or individuals who rely on affordable housing. The impending redevelopment has sparked fears among the residents. They worry they might be forced out due to increased living costs. She expressed her concerns candidly: “You have senior citizens here that are on fixed income, can they afford to pay $100, $2,000, $1,600 in rent? Probably not. Even those of us that work every day, can we afford that type of increase in rent? Probably not.”
Respect for Historic Significance
The redevelopment project is a collaborative effort by the Kansas City authorities, Flaherty and Collins, and Twelfth Street Heritage. The city stands by these agencies, stating they understand and respect the significance of Parade Park homes to Kansas City.
“The neighborhood is changing, it’s not what it used to be,” said Oates. A stroll through the property reveals numerous units with boarded-up windows and locked security doors courtesy of a security company. According to Oates, many of the homes have been vacant for a while. “I think there’s a total of 500 plus units and now there’s maybe only 160 of us left and maybe it’s even less than that,” Oates shared.
Hope Amid Uncertainty
Regardless of the uncertainty that lies ahead, Oates remains positive. She has been guaranteed a place to stay if she chooses to and hopes that the new owners would honor this promise. “I hope something happens positive for those of us who stayed, and we don’t get slapped in the face and put out,” she reflected.
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