Prepare yourself for a punch to the gut: Kansas City is about to lose a piece of its soul. The oldest building on Main Street, a silent witness to over a century of history, is being dismantled, brick by painstaking brick. It’s more than just a building coming down; it’s a tangible link to the city's past vanishing before our eyes.
The Tower Building, also affectionately known as the Jeserich building, built in 1888, stood proudly on Main Street. But as of Friday afternoon, the iconic Queen Anne tower was already significantly diminished. The very name "Jeserich," etched in stone for 138 years, was gone. Chuck Cacioppo, Jr., president of Industrial Salvage & Wrecking, explained that the deconstruction is being carried out with meticulous care, especially for the first two stories. He estimates the entire building will be gone within a month. That's less time than it takes to binge-watch your favorite show – and a legacy is disappearing.
The Jeserich building held a special place in Kansas City's heart. It predates the city's very name! Constructed just a year before "City of Kansas" officially became "Kansas City" in 1889, it was a living, breathing artifact. The slow demolition is underway. While the top floor was largely intact at the start of the week, by Wednesday afternoon it was mostly gone. It’s a stark and visual reminder of the relentless march of progress.
And this is the part most people miss... The building, nestled on the northeast corner of 31st and Main streets, was part of a larger complex, including the already-demolished 1905 Ward building. Thirty-First and Main Properties LLC., now owns the complex and plans to redevelop the site. Thomas Feyerabend Jr., a principal in the company and also an owner of the adjacent Union Hill Animal Hospital, intends to solicit proposals for the new development. Crucially, any future development will have to incorporate a new and expanded animal hospital to replace Union Hill. So, while history makes way for the future, a local business gets a chance to grow – is this a fair trade?
But here's where it gets controversial... For years, neighborhood groups and preservationists fought tooth and nail to save the Jeserich Building. In an unusual move in October 2022, the Kansas City Council, swayed by public outcry and the efforts of Historic Kansas City, overrode the wishes of the then-owners and placed the Jeserich and other buildings on the Kansas City Register of Historic Places. This was a victory, or so it seemed.
The buildings, however, remained vacant. After acquiring the property, Feyerabend claims he consulted with engineers and builders who deemed the Jeserich building beyond repair, or at least, not economically viable to save. Then, in August, the city itself declared the building structurally unsound, adding it to the “dangerous buildings” list. Once labeled dangerous, owners typically have 30 days to repair or demolish. Feyerabend confirmed the demolition plans in late September, and Industrial Wrecking & Salvage Co. began the work in November.
Is this a case of prioritizing progress over preservation? Could more have been done to save this historic landmark, or was demolition truly the only option? Was the building truly beyond saving, or were the costs of preservation simply too high to justify? What responsibilities do property owners have when it comes to historical buildings? And what role should the city play in balancing development with the preservation of its heritage? Eric Adler, from the Star since 1985, has the luxury of writing about any topic or anyone, focusing on in-depth stories about people at both the center and on the fringes of the news. His work has received dozens of national and regional awards. We want to hear from you: What are your thoughts on the demolition of the Jeserich building? Share your opinions in the comments below!
