We, the undersigned residents, neighbors, and supporters of historic preservation, oppose the proposed removal of the iconic bell tower/cupola at The Loretto, located at 1111 W. 39th Street in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Loretto is a nationally and locally designated historic building and a defining structure of Midtown, West 39th Street, and the Volker Neighborhood. Its bell tower is an architectural feature that has stood proudly since 1903 and is a character-defining element of the building and a visual anchor in our community.

We acknowledge the structural and safety concerns outlined in the engineering report submitted to the City. Those same findings offer preservation-based solutions, including the repair, reconstruction, or stabilization of the tower with professional oversight.

We believe that preservation and safety CAN and MUST go hand in hand.

We urge the Historic Preservation Commission and the property owner to:

• Reject removal without a plan for reconstruction;
  
  
• Pursue structural repairs or historically accurate reconstruction in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation;
  
  
• Preserve the bell tower and its placement atop the Loretto so future generations can enjoy this iconic symbol of Kansas City’s architectural heritage