Former owners of neglected Kansas City apartments no longer on local nonprofit board

The former owners of a rundown apartment complex on North Lawn Avenue – which caught local attention when tenants were left without heat for days – will not serve on a local nonprofit reStart’s board of directors in 2023.

After Parker Webb and Logan Freeman of FTW Investments were publicly criticized by housing advocacy group KC Tenants, reStart has removed the men’s names from their website.

In January, firefighters responded to a small blaze inside the complex. After shutting off the gas to respond to the minor blaze, crews determined it was too dangerous to turn the gas back on. At least 12 immigrant families huddled under blankets.

“Somebody’s calling the owner, the manager, and nobody answered,” said one tenant. “Freezing.”

Inside, extension cords snaked up and down the stairs. Windows and doors were missing or broken, replaced with planks of wood.

One tenant told The Star the building’s vacant rooms see frequent break-ins, and she feels unsafe. A shattered window near where a child slept was hit by a stray bullet, then replaced with a scrap of cardboard. Ceilings sagged from continuous leaks.

News that owners Webb and Freeman served on the board of housing assistance group reStart, which says its aim is to prevent homelessness, led KC Tenants to issue a letter and petition demanding Webb and Freeman’s removal.

KC Tenants’ letter highlights petitioners’ various concerns.

“Webb and Freeman are slumlords. Their business model, written and verbal statements, and treatment of their tenants and other community members contradict the mission and vision of reStart,” the statement reads. “Additionally, their presence on reStart’s board represents a significant conflict of interest.”

According to the letter, FTW has acquired between 900-1300 units in Kansas City since 2021, conducting over $75 million in real estate transactions, funded through a network of investors.

The petition garnered over 430 signatures, including from organizations like the Indian Mound Neighborhood Association and BikeWalkKC.

However, it’s unclear whether Webb and Freeman were removed, resigned, or simply reached the end of their term. Stephanie Boyer, the chief executive officer of reStart, declined to comment.

Days after the heat went out in the north Kansas City apartments, reStart sent The Star a statement.

“We will continue to relentlessly pursue our mission and believe now, more than ever, that access to affordable, quality housing is a priority for all Kansas Citians,” it reads in part.

reStart did not answer questions about what FTW Investment’s current involvement with reStart is, or whether reStart placed citizens in FTW housing. FTW has since sold the property to Rubicon Realty, according to a letter sent to tenants.

Rubicon has since given tenants notice that their leases will not be renewed.