Kansas City Building Approved for Demolition

The owner of a fire-damaged site on Grand Boulevard has received a pre-demolition permit from the city.

Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Isometric editorial illustration of a pile of red bricks and wooden beams, representing urban building demolition and site clearing. — The city of Kansas City has issued a pre-demolition permit for the fire-damaged structure at 1912-14 Grand Blvd, following years of vacancy. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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19 Grand LLC has been granted a pre-demolition permit for the structure located at 1912-14 Grand Blvd in Kansas City. The developer plans to raze the building following significant fire damage sustained in April 2026.

Why it matters

The permit marks a formal step toward clearing the site, which has stood empty since the former retail location closed years ago. Fire damage rendered the structure unstable, prompting the current push for demolition.

The property occupies 3 parcels and serves as part of a 4-structure complex. The site is not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

The players

19 Grand LLC

This is the property development firm that currently owns the site at 1912-14 Grand Blvd.

Bob Jones Shoes

This former retail business operated at the site from 1960 until it ceased operations in 2018.

The details

The developer must finalize the termination of utility services at the 1912-14 Grand Blvd parcel to secure a final building demolition permit. The site was previously home to Bob Jones Shoes, a retailer that opened in 1960 and eventually closed in 2018.

Bob Jones Shoes opened at 1906-14 Grand Blvd in 1960.
Horowitz and son purchased the business share in 1976.
Harry Bosley joined the retail business in 1983.
The Bob Jones Shoes store closed its doors in 2018.
The building sustained fire damage in April 2026.

Market Landscape

The property is not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, allowing the owner to proceed with plans to demolish the fire-damaged structure. This development reflects a broader pattern of clearing older, unusable building stock in the Crossroads District to make way for future land use.

The demolition process may cause temporary road or sidewalk disruptions in the Crossroads District while utilities are disconnected and the structure is razed. Residents and commuters in the area should prepare for localized construction activity until the site is fully cleared.

The takeaway

Property owners dealing with fire-damaged structures must navigate a series of city-mandated permit steps before full demolition can occur. This case highlights how legacy retail buildings are increasingly being removed when they no longer meet safety or historic preservation standards.