Independence's Historic Sites Up for Sale

0:00Independence is eyeing a big move with its historic sites like the Vale Mansion and Bingham Wagoner Estate because upkeep costs are through the roof. The city wants to offload them to private buyers who can handle the repairs while keeping the history intact through legal protections. This comes right after voters shot down 12 million dollars in bonds last year to fund these spots. Now a consulting firm called PJV dropped the master plan, suggesting sales for just one dollar each to partners committed to preservation. Local history buffs are fired up, with groups for both mansions rallying folks on social media to show up and speak out. Without a sale, fixing things up could run 12 to 15 million dollars, straining the city's budget hard. The plan also calls for handing five other sites over to a conservancy, including historic fire station number one, the Chicago Alton Train Depot. Pioneer Spring Cabin, the Wagoner Gates Building, and the Truman Depot. City Council dives into this at their study session Monday at 6 p.m.

1:00No vote yet. Just talk. It'll shape how independence keeps its past alive without breaking the bank. That's the story for today. Kansas News Today, Driven by AI, I'm Corey with the story.