The Waldo Area Business Assn has a new District Manager, Sean Anderson. He’s in charge of the Waldo CID (Community Improvement District) and will monitor two large, connected projects slated to start next month centered around the busy intersection of 75^th  St and Wornall Rd. Read on for details about these plans, which will affect transit and pedestrian traffic at this location for the next several months.

The Waldo Road Improvements work has been planned for years. From 74^th to 79^th St along Wornall, you’ll eventually see much needed changes: a better streetscape and more landscaping; new LED streetlights, new and wider sidewalks, new traffic signals and a reconstructed Wornall Road in this area to improve traffic flow.  Water main lines will also be replaced from 75^th-77^th St.    According to the KCMO Engineering Division web page, work should begin later this year. (It was supposed to start in 2016—we all know how slowly government tackles projects!)

And around the same time….the entire block The Well sits on will be torn down and demolished to make way for a large apartment complex.

The EPC Real Estate Group is building 278 units at this corner; the complex is currently referred to as Waldo 74 Broadway.  This same company built the apartments called 51 Main, on top of the Whole Foods.  Yes, this project is tax abated and 20% of the units will be “affordable housing”. There will be studios, one and two bedroom apartments.  Plans also include a 364 slot parking garage, a courtyard in the middle of the apartments and The Well will be rebuilt at the base  with a covered rooftop. At the same time, the parking area/bus transit station directly in front of The Well will be enhanced, with a better defined Trolley Track Trail route and a “transit shack” for bus drivers to relax and take a break.  Sean tells me demolition for this project is scheduled for early next month.  Once these projects get going, he hopes to have a landing page on the WABA website for public updates.

Sean left a job in Wyandotte County to work for Waldo; he was developing programs for homeless persons with mental health and substance abuse changes.   He lives in Waldo, plays several instruments, has two bands (The Road Show Drifters and Rumble Ghost) and recently got engaged. Originally from Denver, he loves living in Waldo and is looking forward to meeting more area business owners and residents.   

Once demolition and construction begins at 75^th and Wornall—this area will be even more of a mess to drive (and walk!) through.  Be patient and plan new routes accordingly!