About 185 historic military homes at Fort Leavenworth are at risk of demolition due to high maintenance costs, sparking outrage among locals.
Kansas Army installation properties, many dating from the 1800s and 1900s, have fallen into disrepair in recent years: wood rotting, plaster and foundations crumbling, paint peeling and pipes are corroded.
The Michaels Organization, a for-profit corporation with a 50-year lease to manage all of Fort Leavenworth’s housing, has now proposed razing those homes.
But devastated Fort Leavenworth residents say the city will become a ghost town if it is demolished.
“It literally erases history. Once they’re gone, they’re gone forever. If these elements are removed, Fort Leavenworth is a totally different place. It’s almost a ghost town,” said an anonymous military source. Kansas City Star.
185 historic sites, dating from the 1800s and 1900s, have been left scarred, disheveled and crumbling over the years at Fort Leavenworth, prompting a for-profit proposal to raze them.
Of the 185 homes, 89 of them are large mansions built before 1919, while the rest are in a multi-unit infantry barracks along Pope Avenue and Doniphan Drive, dating to the early 1900s.
Of the 185 homes, 89 are large mansions built before 1919. The rest are in a multi-unit infantry barracks along Pope Avenue and Doniphan Drive, dating to the early 1900s.
Carol Ayres, president of the Leavenworth County Historical Society, explained, “It’s expensive to redo these old houses.
“Replacing them is also expensive. I think everyone understands the reality of the situation. I’m afraid that the people who make these decisions, excuse me, don’t always think about history and its importance.
“We stand on the shoulders of the people who built this post, who built our city. We wouldn’t be where we are today without them.
But while the Michaels Organization has suggested demolishing these historic military buildings, the military itself has yet to develop such a plan or even agree to demolish the sites.
“All housing figures recommended by our partners are pre-decisional, meaning they have not been agreed to by Army leadership at any level,” said Scott Gibson, Fort Leavenworth public affairs officer.
A spokesperson for the Michaels Organization also confirmed that the for-profit organization was not in conversations with the military about destroying the buildings.
“I can confirm that the Army has not yet informed Michaels of a decision it has made regarding its (upcoming) plan for these homes – so we really cannot comment at this time,” they said. declared to the newspaper. Star.
Furious Fort Leavenworth residents say town will become a ghost town if homes are demolished
Despite assurances, residents remain worried about the future of these historic places
Despite assurances, residents, particularly military families, remain concerned about the future of these historic sites.
“What concerns us is that Kansas is going to lose its history. It’s easier for Michaels to tear them down and just put up a cookie jar rather than try to maintain a historic house,” said one Ft resident.
Another resident also commented: “These houses are so sturdy. They are so sturdy. They are so strong. And they look beautiful inside.
“This story will disappear, be wiped out.”
Discussions about plans to demolish the old structures have been circulating for nearly a year.
According to the City Star, the proposal to raze all historic units was shared during a meeting at Fort Leavenworth with Tami Bartunek, Kansas City district director for Kansas Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall’s office.
Bartunek later confirmed that the topic had been discussed.
The Michaels Organization reportedly signed a 50-year agreement to manage the fort’s housing in 2006.
The Michaels Organization reportedly signed a 50-year agreement to manage the fort’s housing in 2006.
Under the agreement, the for-profit organization aims to restore old homes plagued by outdated plumbing, old heating and electrical systems, asbestos, lead paint and aging wood, while following strict federal guidelines.
In recent years, citizens of the fort have complained that instead of maintaining its older homes, Michaels had engaged in a technique known as “demolition by neglect.”
Under the agreement, the for-profit organization aims to restore old homes plagued by outdated plumbing, old heating and electrical systems, asbestos, lead paint and aging wood, while following strict federal guidelines.
According to these guidelines, known as Secretary of the Interior Standards for Treatment of Historic Propertiesthe company is said to hire special craftsmen to ensure the sites are returned to their original style with authentic materials.
But in recent years, citizens of the fort have complained that instead of maintaining its old homes, Michaels had engaged in a technique known as “demolition by neglect.”
Residents say the organization has left many historic homes unoccupied and brought them to such disrepair that demolition inevitably becomes the only solution.
One such house that many believe has been intentionally left to rot and could potentially be demolished in the future is The Rookery (pictured).
Photographs show how Kansas’ oldest occupied house is plagued with rotting wood, peeling paint, missing boards, cracked support columns and rusted and leaking gutters.
One such house that many believe has been deliberately left to rot and could potentially be demolished in the future is The Rookery.
Built around 1830, a report on the site noted the “level of care and maintenance this home has received.” …is the living definition of “negligent demolition”.
“This is an unacceptable state of maintenance, not only for the national and state heritage that is the Rookery!… but also for the level of quality of housing in which the families of active ARMY soldiers American people deserve to live. »
In a series of 50 photographs, viewers can see Kansas’ oldest occupied house, plagued with rotting wood, peeling paint, missing boards, cracked support columns and rusted and leaking gutters.
But The Rookery isn’t the only property in decline at Fort Leavenworth.
A July 2023 report on the Syracuse House, a yellow two-story duplex built in 1855, also showed extensive damage to the property.
The report featured several images of unpainted boards, trim, soffits, fascias, railings and patchwork repairs throughout the home.
A July 2023 report on the Syracuse House, a yellow two-story duplex built in 1855, also showed extensive damage to the property.
The report featured several images of unpainted boards, trim, soffits, fascias, railings and patchwork repairs throughout the home.
Another historic site report said Michaels replaced a wood floor with an unsuitable vinyl floor and said it needed to be removed and replaced.
The Michaels Organization has not yet commented on the allegations of intentional negligence.