Independence City Council to consider resolution to retain, restore historic buildings

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — KSHB 41 reporter Tod Palmer covers sports business and eastern Jackson County, including Independence. Share your story idea with Tod.

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The Independence City Council will consider a resolution Monday that would unequivocally express “its intent to retain ownership of the Bingham-Waggoner Estate and the Vaile Mansion.”

A consultant’s recommendation in the spring that the city should consider selling the historic properties it owns created a stir in the Independence community.

But the city stressed that it was only a recommendation, one that Councilman John Perkins hopes the city council will formally reject.

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The Historic Sites Preservation Ordinance would direct city staff to “explore ways to fund and support all city-owned historic sites, including a future General Obligation bond issuance to adequately cover deferred maintenance needs at the Bingham-Waggoner Estate and the Vaile Mansion.”

Voters narrowly rejected a $12-million general-obligation bond in April 2025, which included money for historic sites and the city’s parks system.

However, preserving Independence's history consistently ranks among the highest priorities in surveys of residents.

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