Taylor Holman was walking along East Armour Boulevard and Cherry on Sunday, September 13, when he was shot in the chest with a .22-caliber bullet. The 20-year-old later died at the hospital.
For the residents of Hyde Park, the crime was hardly unusual. In the first quarter of 2009, Kansas City police listed the corner of Armour and Troost, a few blocks east of Holman's murder scene, as an Aggravated Assault Hot Spot.
Longtime midtowners might be used to violence along Armour. But in the last few years, a Chicago development company called MAC Property Management, which specializes in turning blighted hotels and residential buildings into hip, urban apartments, has courted young and upwardly mobile renters who might not have considered an apartment on Armour Boulevard east of Main.
At the same time, a Portland, Maine-based property-development and -management company called Eagle Point also bought several buildings along Armour. Before Eagle Point bought Georgian Court, Bainbridge and Linda Vista Apartments in 2006, fewer than half of the apartments had tenants, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development had initiated foreclosure proceedings against the owners. Eagle Point gutted and refurbished the buildings to qualify for tax credits available to historic buildings — several of the area's once-glorious buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places — and also financed the rehabs with tax-exempt bonds and low-income-housing tax credits from the state of Missouri. Eagle Point then filled the buildings with low-income renters who qualified for Section 8 federal housing assistance.
Stacking low-income renters in high-rises has been an issue for cities since the late 1970s when Section 8 began, paying roughly 70 percent of rent and utilities for those who met the low-income requirements. In places such as Chicago's infamous Cabrini-Green projects, where police reportedly refused to enter for fear of attacks by gang members, it quickly became apparent that filling buildings exclusively with poverty-line tenants reinforced and nurtured the very problems they were trying to escape. In the mid-'90s, landlords and housing agencies around the country decided that putting Section 8 renters in mixed-income buildings was a better policy. But for reasons that no Kansas City officials seem able to adequately explain, 45 percent of the tenants along the 12-block stretch of Armour between Main and Troost are Section 8 renters, with approximately one-fifth of the city's 92 Section 8 buildings in its 64109 area code.
Residents of nearby Hyde Park have been complaining about low-income renters on Armour Boulevard for years, holding neighborhood meetings demanding that landlords seeking only Section 8 tenants turn their buildings into mixed-income properties. They say Section 8 is a social experiment gone wrong or a tool misused by absentee landlords who pack poor people into the buildings just to cash in on regular rent checks. Last year, the protests grew louder, with City Council members Beth Gottstein and Jan Marcason promising change in front of TV news crews and angry homeowners who lived blocks away from the trouble spots. Marcason successfully pushed for a city ordinance to label one building a chronic nuisance. HUD officials are fighting back, investigating whether certain Section 8 buildings were unfairly targeted; if so, HUD has threatened to sue the city.
Taken together, the voices on all sides tell a classic American story of tensions between old-timers and newcomers, black and white, rich and poor.
One woman, who used to live in the neighborhood, saw the Holman shooting.
Holman Shooting Witness: "I was going to a barbecue. I saw people all over the street and thought something wasn't right. I heard the gun and thought, 'What are those boys doing with fireworks?' The sound was like those little poppers you throw on the ground and they explode. I saw the victim fall, and I realized what happened. So I called 911 and waited."
Showing 1-25 of 76
One of the most telling lines from this story is: "Kansas City is relatively behind the times." It's sad and frustrating. We need a mayor or city leader who can step up and make some changes to reduce crime and improve/revive the city! It can be done with the right leadership. As another commenter pointed out, there are cities in the U.S. that have become and are becoming gentrified. Change is slow, but it can happen, and when it does it often benefits all people in the city: making it safer and creating a healthy diversity through things like mixed-income housing.
One of the most telling lines from this story is: "Kansas City is relatively behind the times." It's sad and frustrating. We need a mayor or city leader who can step up and make some changes to reduce crime and improve/revive the city! It can be done with the right leadership. As another commenter pointed out, there are cities in the U.S. that have become and are becoming gentrified. Change is slow, but it can happen, and when it does it often benefits all people in the city: making it safer and creating a healthy diversity through things like mixed-income housing.
I just want to commend the Pitch for actually writing something worthy of reading. They could have broadened their scope of opinions though and minimized the redundancy. This is a topic that I've been following for a while now, mostly because I don't mind dodging bullets for a badass cheap apartment. Living in a mixed class neighbourhood, in a city dubbed Killa City, one should expect these issues. However, I live under the notion that if I, in fact, am not involved in thuggish acts, they won't be looking for me in the guise of night to exact my comeuppance. Anything else done to property is to be expected if not shrugged at. Such is the price to live in an urban city at times. What else can you do but live your life the way you please with a modicum of awareness for your surroundings and let apathy slay apathy. It�s not for everyone and that�s what the suburbs are for, right? Now, I'm pretty solid that I will be moving back in the thick soon!
Sorry DLC.Its still America where even Non-Lib phony clap trap free speech is accepted.Eventually you will have your 3rd World paradise here...but for now why dont YOU shut up....
I just want to commend the Pitch for actually writing something worthy of reading. They could have broadened their scope of opinions though and minimized the redundancy. This is a topic that I've been following for a while now, mostly because I don't mind dodging bullets for a badass cheap apartment. Living in a mixed class neighbourhood, in a city dubbed Killa City, one should expect these issues. However, I live under the notion that if I, in fact, am not involved in thuggish acts, they won't be looking for me in the guise of night to exact my comeuppance. Anything else done to property is to be expected if not shrugged at. Such is the price to live in an urban city at times. What else can you do but live your life the way you please with a modicum of awareness for your surroundings and let apathy slay apathy. It’s not for everyone and that’s what the suburbs are for, right? Now, I'm pretty solid that I will be moving back in the thick soon!
Sorry DLC.Its still America where even Non-Lib phony clap trap free speech is accepted.Eventually you will have your 3rd World paradise here...but for now why dont YOU shut up....
Roxane, you'll be glad to know that the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association is working on solutions--it's just that this shallow article didn't have space for covering them.
One is to bring heat on poor landlords. Especially in the case of Russell McKee, these are people or companies who exploit the neighborhood and their tenants. The HPNA has documented which landlords are good and which are bad. Further, they are meeting with landlords to improve: on-site security, tenant screening and off-site security.
The HPNA is also exploring ways of bringing security to the area through expanded police coverage, video surveillance of trouble spots, and changes in the Armour streetscape that would generate more pedestrian traffic, which is the key to safety in urban areas. The HPNA has little budget, but has been effective at putting solutions in motion.
You cannot judge what anyone is doing by merely reading an article in The Pitch--as I am sure you are aware.
Roxane, you'll be glad to know that the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association is working on solutions--it's just that this shallow article didn't have space for covering them.
One is to bring heat on poor landlords. Especially in the case of Russell McKee, these are people or companies who exploit the neighborhood and their tenants. The HPNA has documented which landlords are good and which are bad. Further, they are meeting with landlords to improve: on-site security, tenant screening and off-site security.
The HPNA is also exploring ways of bringing security to the area through expanded police coverage, video surveillance of trouble spots, and changes in the Armour streetscape that would generate more pedestrian traffic, which is the key to safety in urban areas. The HPNA has little budget, but has been effective at putting solutions in motion.
You cannot judge what anyone is doing by merely reading an article in The Pitch--as I am sure you are aware.
A better analysis by far than the Pitch's http://btoellner.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/01/crime-armour-boulevard-and-redefining-and-urban-struggle.html
Roxane, you'll be glad to know that the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association is working on solutions--it's just that this shallow article didn't have space for covering them. One is to bring heat on poor landlords. Especially in the case of Russell McKee, these are people or companies who exploit the neighborhood and their tenants. The HPNA has documented which landlords are good and which are bad. Further, they are meeting with landlords to improve: on-site security, tenant screening and off-site security. The HPNA is also exploring ways of bringing security to the area through expanded police coverage, video surveillance of trouble spots, and changes in the Armour streetscape that would generate more pedestrian traffic, which is the key to safety in urban areas. The HPNA has little budget, but has been effective at putting solutions in motion. You cannot judge what anyone is doing by merely reading an article in The Pitch--as I am sure you are aware.
Roxane, you'll be glad to know that the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association is working on solutions--it's just that this shallow article didn't have space for covering them. One is to bring heat on poor landlords. Especially in the case of Russell McKee, these are people or companies who exploit the neighborhood and their tenants. The HPNA has documented which landlords are good and which are bad. Further, they are meeting with landlords to improve: on-site security, tenant screening and off-site security. The HPNA is also exploring ways of bringing security to the area through expanded police coverage, video surveillance of trouble spots, and changes in the Armour streetscape that would generate more pedestrian traffic, which is the key to safety in urban areas. The HPNA has little budget, but has been effective at putting solutions in motion. You cannot judge what anyone is doing by merely reading an article in The Pitch--as I am sure you are aware.
For Hyde Parkers and Midtown residents in general - this is not new information. What this article lacks and perhaps was not addressed in the research is a solution to the problem. Thank you for talking to the various leaders and companies - but what are we going to do about it. The Hyde Park Neighborhood Association is good at pointing out the problem, and making noise but once again fails to come up with a solution. As is their regular practice, they are creating confusion, miscommunication and entrenching their opposition instead of working towards a common goal and uniting their community. What Hyde Park needs is a solution - not publicity about our problem.
For Hyde Parkers and Midtown residents in general - this is not new information. What this article lacks and perhaps was not addressed in the research is a solution to the problem. Thank you for talking to the various leaders and companies - but what are we going to do about it. The Hyde Park Neighborhood Association is good at pointing out the problem, and making noise but once again fails to come up with a solution. As is their regular practice, they are creating confusion, miscommunication and entrenching their opposition instead of working towards a common goal and uniting their community. What Hyde Park needs is a solution - not publicity about our problem.
For Hyde Parkers and Midtown residents in general - this is not new information. What this article lacks and perhaps was not addressed in the research is a solution to the problem. Thank you for talking to the various leaders and companies - but what are we going to do about it. The Hyde Park Neighborhood Association is good at pointing out the problem, and making noise but once again fails to come up with a solution. As is their regular practice, they are creating confusion, miscommunication and entrenching their opposition instead of working towards a common goal and uniting their community. What Hyde Park needs is a solution - not publicity about our problem.
For Hyde Parkers and Midtown residents in general - this is not new information. What this article lacks and perhaps was not addressed in the research is a solution to the problem. Thank you for talking to the various leaders and companies - but what are we going to do about it. The Hyde Park Neighborhood Association is good at pointing out the problem, and making noise but once again fails to come up with a solution. As is their regular practice, they are creating confusion, miscommunication and entrenching their opposition instead of working towards a common goal and uniting their community. What Hyde Park needs is a solution - not publicity about our problem.
We are all one city. What happens in Westport, Independence, Olathe, Overland Park, Mission Hills you name the place - it eventually affects the whole city. Jobs, commerce, culture, arts, sports and yes even poverty and crime know no city boundaries and flow everywhere. Its just too bad KC has this state line running down the middle of it splitting us up so people from what side dont think that what happens on the other affects them. Now in the case cited in the article we arent even talking about the whole metro area - just KCMO. Hyde Park pushes out crime but it re-sets up just a few blocks away and can quickly make its way back.
We are all one city. What happens in Westport, Independence, Olathe, Overland Park, Mission Hills you name the place - it eventually affects the whole city. Jobs, commerce, culture, arts, sports and yes even poverty and crime know no city boundaries and flow everywhere. Its just too bad KC has this state line running down the middle of it splitting us up so people from what side dont think that what happens on the other affects them. Now in the case cited in the article we arent even talking about the whole metro area - just KCMO. Hyde Park pushes out crime but it re-sets up just a few blocks away and can quickly make its way back.
"Don't just push onto onto someone else's backyard"...especially not into the backyards of Overland Park.
One way of being part of the solution is to live in Hyde Park, pay taxes in the city, support the city's economy, work in the city, volunteer in the city.
Plus, keep in mind that you can luxuriate in a Mission Hills-like mansion even on a Wal-Mart greeter's salary.
For a good discussion on the issue of if breaking up high concentrations of the poor actually leads to overal lower crime rates I invite you to read an article in the July issue of "The Atlantic" called "Cities and Crime by Stephen Bartenstein. The link is http://www.theatlantic.com/doc.... The article does a good job in analyzing the unintended consequences of trying to relocate and disperse high concentrations of the poor.
Again, solve the problems. Dont just push onto onto someone elses backyard.
It isn't hostility Mr.pooper panties. It is just plain old pity. You are a legend in your own mind.I might add that no one on god's green earth needs you to speak for them. You are just another self important dumbshit. No different than the folks that you condemn.
If you all are reduced to arguing with "a geriatric loser and diaper pooper" I'd say you've lost your battle. If my points are invailid and babble, why all the hostility? Why lend credence to any of my mindless rants if they are meaningless?
Your reactions are typical of the way you have tried to push your agenda from the git go. And just for the record, I've never suggested anyone doesn't have the right to a safe place to live. I've said it's not your right to dictate where others live. It's that type of disingenuous bull shit that proves my point. It's all about what you people want, anyone who disagrees with you is a horrible person. I'll leave you all to it. Worst of luck to ya.
Everyone deserves a safe neighborhood - whether you live in the Bainbridge, are new to the area, or have lived in Hyde Park since 1940. The lion's share of Hyde Park does not consist of anything approaching "Mission Hills" style housing. There are literally thousands of houses in Hyde Park, and almost 200 apartment buildings - 95% of which are like anything else in midtown, with a similar mix of people. To characterize Hyde Park as just a bunch of rich, whiny yuppies who wanted "Mission Hills" housing on the cheap is stupid, junior high-level rhetoric.
It seems like MM's only justification for his status-quo enforcing opinions boils down to the same thing: he was once a criminal and he lived in sketchy areas of midtown in the 1970s and 80s. Congratulations, you were a fucking loser. Guess what: this doesn't qualify you to comment on anything whatsoever, least of all the experience of people in Hyde Park in 2010, especially people living in places like the Bainbridge or Kenwood (which have not even been occupied in this fashion for more than a couple of years).
We get it: you went through some shit. How about adding something constructive to the conversation instead of just tearing down people because they want to improve a neighborhood? It took decades for Hyde Park to decline to what it was in the 70s/80s, and it has taken a lot of hard work - by yuppies and modest folks alike - to turn it around. Now, thanks to Kay Barnes, the worthless bureaucrats at HUD, and opportunistic developers from 2,000 miles away chomping at the bit to suckle Uncle Sam's teat (and exploit poor people in the bargain), the good people of Hyde Park are being subjected to elevated levels of crime.
At this point, the solution begins with the absentee property managers. They need on-site security (armed) at all times. Period. The doors need to lock. Security lights need to be engaged (and fixed when they are broken). If you are going to create a stage for every degenerate in town to come act out their aggressions, then take responsibility and protect your other tenants and the neighborhood. Pretty simple, right?
Unfortunately, those in charge are too happy to ignore us, while the prevailing conversation (as reflected here) reinforces tired, well-worn, ridiculous class-war, race-baiting, rhetoric.
like
dislike
