Save Our Historic Sites

Nov. 3 Vote YES - Question 1

Black and white illustrations of five historic buildings, each with different architectural styles and detailed facades. From left to right, a building with arched windows, a Victorian house, a castle-like structure, a classical building with columns, and a small train station.
An informational poster for the preservation of historic sites on the Bingham-Waggoner Estate. It highlights a $19.9 million investment to restore and preserve five historic sites, including the Bingham-Waggoner Estate, Vaile Mansion, Truman Memorial Building, Old Fire Station One, and 1827 Log Courthouse. The poster provides details about the projects, proposed investments, the history of the sites, and community benefits. It features images of the estate and historic buildings, along with election day and voting information.
Learn more about the issue
FAQ - City of Independence

We can make critical repairs to 5 city-owned historic sites

The cost ?

Roughly  $30 a year

for most residential property owners

A table showing estimated annual property tax impacts for different residential property values, with values ranging from $100,000 to $400,000, and corresponding tax impacts from $17.71 to $70.86.

Source: City of Independence Frequently Asked Questions

Poster encouraging voters to support bonds for historic sites, featuring black-and-white sketches of historic buildings and landmarks.
GEt a yard sign

Why can’t the Vaile and the Bingham Waggoner fund repairs?

The Bingham Waggoner and Vaile Mansion non-profits are unable to fund the needed capital improvements and deferred maintenance based on recent fundraising efforts.

See why

Here’s the ballot language

A document titled 'GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND QUESTION NO. 1' discussing issuing bonds for renovating historic buildings and assets in Independence, Missouri, including Bingham-Waggoner Estate, Vaile Mansion, Truman Memorial Building, Old Fire Station One, and 1827 Log Courthouse.

The most recent Citizen Satisfaction Survey shows the community supports the city-owned historic sites

A bar chart shows survey responses about the importance of various statements related to independence as a historic city. The first statement, 'It's important to preserve City’s historic sites,' has 64% strongly agree, 28% agree, 7% neutral, and 1% disagree. The second, 'It's important to preserve historic neighborhoods,' has 52% strongly agree, 37% agree, 8% neutral, and 3% disagree. The third, 'It's important to maintain character of The Square,' has 59% strongly agree, 30% agree, 8% neutral, and 4% disagree. The fourth, 'City effectively promotes its heritage sites,' has 21% strongly agree, 41% agree, 23% neutral, and 15% disagree.
Pie chart showing 81% of respondents support the city using tax dollars to own and operate historic sites, while 19% do not.