By Caroline Zimmerman
The Kansas City Star
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Fire Department extinguished another blaze in Kansas City’s historic Parade Park complex Thursday. It is at least the 13th fire in the housing cooperative since Thanksgiving.
Crews responded to the 2100 block of East 15th Terrace just after 11:30 a.m. They found “heavy fire” coming from a vacant two-story apartment building, Michael Hopkins, a battalion chief for the fire department, said in a news release.
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The blaze was brought under control in around 30 minutes, Hopkins said. No injuries were reported, and the department is investigating what might have caused the fire.
Following a nearly two-month delay, demolition of the co-op in Kansas City’s 18th and Vine Jazz District began on Feb. 3, following years of decay and neglect.
Demolition is delayed yet again, Hopkins said Thursday, as crews work to remove asbestos at the site.
Despite increased measures at the complex, including cameras, new fencing and additional security, fires continue to break out at Parade Park.
Parade Park is a historic Black-owned housing cooperative that first opened in the 1960s. The federal government took over management of the complex in 2023 amid deteriorating conditions.
Once the site is demolished, developers have planned a $300 million housing development to take its place. The new development will have 1,100 residences, including condos, townhomes and flats.
Developers expect the project to be complete in 2031.
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