November 30, 2018—Rebuilding Together Kansas City began serving families in Excelsior Springs in 2009.
Since then, the organization assisted over 40 families by improving living conditions in their homes by completing home repairs and safety modifications for those in need.
Known for Rebuilding Day, where volunteers “solve the urgent need for safe homes and communities for everyone,” Rebuilding Together Kansas City launched a new endeavor, the Community Revitalization Program.
The House at 514 Adams Street in Excelsior Springs was purchased by Rebuilding Together Kansas City from the City of Excelsior Springs through Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority. LCRA allows the city to buy and sell properties like an individual, accepting proposals that will best benefit the neighborhood. Submitted photo
The framework of the Community Revitalization Program turns a deteriorated house into a home for a family—turning an eyesore of the neighborhood into the best-looking house on the block. In this case, the group selected a dilapidated city-owned property located at 514 Adams Street, in Excelsior Springs, for their inaugural project of the program.
RTKC Executive Director Clay McQuerry said the six-month project wrapped up a couple weeks ago and utilized local subcontractors to complete the trades needed in the home.
“We were fortunate to have some good (local) contractors, subcontractors to work with us,” McQuerry said.
Crews replaced the roof, put in new plumbing, heating and cooling and electrical service, overhauled the kitchen and bathrooms, and returned the home to its original footprint of a 3-bedroom house, he said.
Additionally, workers restored the original hardwood floors, installed new carpet and tile and added a fresh coat of paint to finish off the inside of the home. Outside, workers cleared out the overgrown backyard, built a new retaining wall and poured a new patio.
“Essentially the house was in such disrepair, we had to take it down to the basic framework of the house,” McQuerry said.
The hard work of contractors, RTKC staff, volunteers and project managers paid off. The home went under contract with two days of completion and being put on the market.
The damaged and trash riddled house was completely remodeled by Rebuilding Together Kansas City as their inaugural project for their Community Revitalization Program. Project Managers used local subcontractors to supply trades like plumbing, heating and cooling, electrical and roofing. Submitted photo
“Our two project managers Ed Kephart and Marty Clariday both did a lot of the finish work,” McQuerry said. “Our whole staff pitched in and did some other stuff, like touch up painting, cleaning and stuff like that. It was a big effort.”
When determining which home to select, RTKC partnered with the City of Excelsior Springs in locating a property in need of revitalization.
City Manager Molly McGovern said the city doesn’t want to be landowners, but through tax sales and other means, they acquire properties that sit vacant, sometimes in less-than-average condition. These properties typically require manpower to mow in the summer and money to upkeep or maintain.
RTKC toured through this list of city-owned properties and later determined which property they would rehabilitate.
McGovern said that anyone can submit a proposal to purchase a city-owned property though Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority.
“LCRA is a designation in the state statutes that allows us to buy and sell properties like an individual would,” McGovern said. “In this way, we can accept best proposals … the goal is to return the neighborhood to better conditions, so it can flourish.”
McQuerry said he hopes RTKC and the city can work together again in the future to preserve affordable housing in the Excelsior Springs community.
“We appreciate the city of Excelsior having confidence in us,” he said. “This was a good first experience.”
McQuerry said the proceeds from the sale of the remodeled home will fund their next revitalization project.
“Most people these days know affordable housing is shrinking,” McQuerry said. “Hopefully we’re able to give some families have a nice home to live in.”
McGovern agreed and said the completion of the remodel on Adams Street means progression for the neighborhood by cleaning up the community one blighted property at a time.
“This property hopefully contributes to that … that’s what we hope happens once someone buys one of our properties,” McGovern said. “Everything lined up for this to be a true success.”
Interested parties may obtain more information about LCRA and see the list of city-owned properties at the city’s website, cityofesmo.com, and click on: development, available real estate, LCRA land.