KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mayor Quinton Lucas and the Kansas City Council today passed
Ordinance 250838, directing the City to initiate receivership proceedings for the former Paul Robeson Middle School at 8201 Holmes Road, a property that has remained vacant since 2006.
The ordinance is a step toward eliminating blight that has plagued the neighborhood for years and addressing the failure of the current property owner to fulfill development commitments made seven years ago.
"I grew up running on the track at Robeson School and living nearby at President Gardens. I've watched this property deteriorate for years, and I've been raising concerns publicly about it for just as long," said Mayor Lucas. "After nearly a decade of ownership and unfulfilled promises since the 2017 purchase from Kansas City Public Schools, the time for private discussions has passed. Our community has had enough of the abandonment, graffiti, weeds, and trash at the site, and so have I. Too many Kansas Citians are forced to live near deteriorating, dilapidated structures. I plan to use this approach for dilapidated buildings elsewhere throughout our city to improve neighborhood quality of life.”
The Receivership Process
The ordinance directs the City Manager to pursue receivership under Chapter 56, Article VII of the Kansas City Code—a legal process that allows the City to petition the court to appoint a receiver to rehabilitate vacant and blighted properties.
The process includes:
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A 60-day notice period for the property owner to address code violations
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The City filing a petition with the Circuit Court if violations remain unaddressed
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Court appointment of a receiver to rehabilitate the property
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A 180-day opportunity for the current owner to demonstrate capacity to complete development, or transfer of ownership to the receiver
Importantly, this process does not require taxpayer dollars for compensation to the current owner.
The ordinance also directs the City to conduct public engagement with residents, neighborhood associations, and community coalitions to ensure the community's vision guides future development of the property.
"The people who have lived with this blight deserve to shape what comes next," Mayor Lucas said. "We will work closely with the neighborhood to create something that truly serves their needs."
The City Manager is directed to report back to the City Council within 45 days on progress with the receivership process and community engagement efforts.
