Pro

Con

Placed atop of the hill facing Union Station, the Liberty Memorial was positioned to provide an inspiring first impression to visitors exit- ing the station and entering Kansas City. Today, we are breathing new life into one of this city's most treasured landmarks.

A half-cent sales tax, providing $30 million solely for restoration and a nearly $15 million permanent endowment, was passed in 1998 with a 72% margin. Another $5 million from the state of Missouri and $4.8 million in federal funds also will be applied to the restoration.

To guarantee the Memorial's adherence to the highest standards of historic preservation, nationally noted preservation architect, John G. Waite, was hired to perform additional plans review. Having consulted on numerous significant projects, including the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., he also contributed greatly to the Secretary of Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, the governing set of regulations for preservation projects.

The Waite report concluded, with the necessary changes implemented, that the plans are "exemplary" - conducting a quality restoration and complying with the Secretary of Interior's Standards. The report also supports the effort to re-energize the Liberty Memorial by improving the museum, stating that it will ensure long-term preservation of the site.

The purpose of the Liberty Memorial was defined in 1919, when, according to the ballot language, the people of Kansas City voted to build "A monument plus a building . . . to house trophies of the war with other matters closely related thereto." From the beginning, the intention was to create both a monument and a museum to liberty and those individuals who had served in the "war to end all wars."

This monument and museum can become a significant national attraction for our residents and tourists. We are well over halfway towards raising the money necessary. Help us complete this fantastic opportunity!

Timothy O. Kristl is President, Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners. Contact him at 816.472.7788.

Restoration of the Liberty Memorial is fully supported by the Historic Kansas City Foundation. The Foundation endorses a plan respecting the original architectural integrity of the monument. However, present plans indelibly compromise the integrity of this world-class monument by adding a large sunken entrance garden and new structure to accommodate an auditorium, museum store and expansive lobby.

The main concern is the extensive alteration to Memorial Court and a third of Memorial Mall by the addition of a 35,000 square foot structure and a 200-foot long sunken entrance garden south of the Sphinxes. The structure extends seven feet above ground level and replaces the south steps and terrace with a new deck, three skylights, ramps and new side steps. This structure and garden will deny automobile access to the monument and are all contrary to what H.Van Buren Magonigle, the architect, built.

Secondly, initial preparations are slated to occur in anticipation of a much expanded museum even though the project is short over $30 million. In 1998, the public approved an ordinance that the special sales tax money may be used SOLELY for restoration, not for museum expansion.

The Museum was "conceived as primarily a Flag Shrine." The Liberty Memorial Joint Committee voting in 1919 on the type of monument to build, rejected a war museum only, auditorium, orchestra hall, art gallery, and memorial university. Many ideas were discussed and to pursue one today violates restoration and is purely conjectural. What is important is what was built.

Philosophically, we respect the intent of those who made possible this monument:

"An inspiring monument worthy of the record of which it is to be the messenger - a symbol not of War, but of Peace and the dawn of an era of Peace."

Jane Flynn is President of the Historic Kansas City Foundation and author of Kansas City Women of Independent Minds. Reach her at 816.931.8448 or hkcf@birch.net