IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending the Flavin/Browne family and the historic Flavin/Browne building complex, celebrating 100 years of cultural, aesthetic, and architectural heritage in Jackson County.
Intro
RESOLUTION 13646, April 2, 2001
INTRODUCED BY Scott Burnett, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, on March 27, 2001, the Flavin/Browne family began a year-long centennial celebration of the historic Flavin/Browne building complex, generally located at 33rd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Kansas City, Jackson County; and,
WHEREAS, on March 27, 1901, Edward and Mary Flavin, both immigrants from Ireland, purchased the property at 33rd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue and obtained a warranty deed, recorded on April 9, 1901; and,
WHEREAS, they proceeded to have designed and constructed an attractive commercial brick building, with a basement, a street-level store and an upper residential level; and,
WHEREAS, Edward and Mary moved their family into the upper residential level and continued to operate their established Flavin Grocery in the two lower levels of the beautiful complex, and;
WHEREAS, in 1910 Edward orchestrated the design and construction of two ornamental columns and porches on a brick four-plex located at 609-611 West 33rd, west of the store building; and,
WHEREAS, in 1916 Edward and Mary again had designed and constructed a distinctive brick two-level duplex with porches and a basement, located at 3302 Pennsylvania Avenue, south of their store building; and,
WHEREAS, they relocated their residence to the second floor of the new building, and continued operating their grocery store and meat market, catering to the needs of residents in the neighborhood; and,
WHEREAS, in 1917 Edward and Mary transferred ownership of Flavin Grocery to their daughter, Margaret Flavin-Browne, and her husband, James R. (Jim) Browne, also an Irish immigrant; and,
WHEREAS, Jim and Margaret continued to operate the store, but changed the name to "J.R. Browne Grocery," which remained a tenant of the building complex owned and operated by Edward Flavin until he passed away in 1922; and,
WHEREAS, in 1924, Jim and seven other local grocers established Associated Grocers, now Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc; and,
WHEREAS, in 1957 Jim and Margaret transferred ownership of the store to their son, James R. (Bob) Browne, Jr., who had worked in his parents' store over the years, and to his wife, Marjorie Browne; and,
WHEREAS, in 1976 Edward J. Browne and Bob, the third generation, purchased the three buildings of the Flavin/Browne building complex from the estate of Margaret Flavin-Browne, who had passed away in 1975;and,
WHEREAS, Bob, a warrior for the preservation of the neighborhood, passed away in 1981 and his interest in the property passed to his widow, Marjorie, who along with their daughter, Kerry Browne of the fourth generation, and John McClain changed the name of the grocery to "Browne's Market & Deli;" and,
WHEREAS, in 1983 the Landmarks Commission, the City Plan Commission, and the entire City Council unanimously recommended the Flavin/Browne building complex be designated a historic landmark; and,
WHEREAS, Edward, a Fourth Ward Jackson County Democratic Committeeman elected by a 70% margin in 2000, currently manages the historic site in the same spirit of service his grandparents began in 1901; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Legislature recognizes and commends the Flavin/Browne family and the historic Flavin/Browne building complex in its year-long centennial celebration of cultural, aesthetic and architectural heritage in Jackson County.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________ ______________________________
County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution 13646 of April 2, 2001 was duly passed on _____________April 2_______________, 2001 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas ______8_________ Nays _______0_______
Abstaining _____0______ Absent _____1_______
________________________ _________________________________
Date Mary Jo Brogoto, Clerk of Legislature