When I moved into the West Bottoms last year, my friend helped me move in and said, "That building needs to be torn down”(referring to The Weld Wheel building) as we drove in the West Bottoms. A small tree was growing on top of the building, and one year later, the building finally fell on May 19th, 2024, during a controlled implosion.
During my strolls in the West Bottoms, I observed a demolition company slowly tearing down the building with jackhammers. I pondered when the building would be officially demolished.
Before the demolition began, many people explored the building. It wasn't benefiting the West Bottoms; instead, it was just another abandoned building on expensive land that could be utilized for something better.
The week before the planned demolition, I received an email from my apartment building informing me that it would happen on Sunday the 19th between 7 and 8 a.m. Immediately, I walked to see where the streets would be closed and for a spot to take pictures and met a Chief's photographer who I’d wanted to get in touch with. On my way back to my apartment from the Weld Wheel Building, there was an open house at the Hobbs Building. I saw someone I had seen for the fourth time within a week. I stopped in, played cornhole, met new people, grabbed some food, and returned to my apartment. It was an enjoyable walking detour.
The night before the implosion, I watched controlled implosion videos to see how big the dust cloud could be. I wondered if I had chosen a location that was too close, considering the potentially hazardous dust from this 100-year-old building. I packed my N95 face mask and camera gear and went to bed.
I woke up early to secure my spot and set up my gear. A crowd had already gathered, eagerly awaiting the countdown for the implosion, creating an atmosphere similar to a New Year's Eve celebration. Excitement filled the air. Not many people were wearing face masks or ear protection, but luckily, I had extra N95 masks in my car due to COVID-19, and I gave them to a couple of people.
The countdown sirens went off as I was chatting with another photographer who had a drone. I forgot to put in my earplugs in time before... Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
The building collapsed like a row of neatly stacked dominoes, engulfing the surroundings in dust as people ran to clearer skies or stood within the dust cloud.
The implosion ignited changes coming to the West Bottoms over the next two decades as part of a $526 million plan scheduled for completion in 2038. The plan will add a hotel, apartments, infrastructure improvements, and commercial spaces. A majority of the buildings in the plan will be repurposed.
I’m enthusiastic about these changes. Although, I understand that some people and business owners in the West Bottoms may not share my excitement, many buildings in the area aren’t being used. It will transform the West Bottoms from an abandoned area into a vibrant community, similar to the Crossroads. The original downtown area of Kansas City will be revived.
From the dust comes life.
To find more info about the changes in the West bottoms, check out this Flatland KC article.
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