City opens investigation into lack of permits at Crown Center condo conversion

On June 2, Harry Cleberg, a former chief executive at Farmland Industries, obtained a permit to cut a doorway between two condominium units. Cleberg and his wife, Clara, live on the third floor of Santa Fe Place, a seven-story building at Crown Center.

The timing is noteworthy. The Clebergs purchased their units in the fall of 2005. Why would nearly six years pass before the city of Kansas City, Missouri, was apprised of their intention to combine the units? The answer may lie in a recently opened investigation. The city is looking into the apparent disregard for the permitting process that occurred at Santa Fe Place during its condominium conversion.