Starting off with two declarations: 1) You’ll be avoiding the intersection of 75th and Wornall by car for the next several months and 2) PLEASE continue to support the merchants in that area, even if it’s less convenient!!

This project has been in the works for several years and it’s finally happening. The “75th and Wornall Improvements-Engineering Division”, as it’s listed on the KCMO website, has more intricate details on what is planned for the area. I went to the Waldo Area Business Assn monthly luncheon a couple of weeks ago for a presentation–and took notes for reference which I have summarized here. Special note: the new apartment project going up on The Well corner will also be happening at the same time. I’ll post more details about that in the next blog.

I took this graphic from the KCMO website and added a couple of landmarks for reference. The initial part of this project will remove the north parking lot (the one in front of The Well), and involves excavating the site, digging 12 feet below ground to replace some infrastructure and rebuilding the parking lot. The next step will be the south parking lot (in front of Waldo Pizza) undergoing a similar process; however the street (Broadway) along these storefronts will be eliminated. Plans are for these two lots to be finished by June. Reconstructing Wornall Road from 75th to 79th, plus some of the additional streets around this area, are planned for 2025. 

Although this project will take years, bringing detours and major inconveniences to residents, traffic and the much used vendors in the area–it should be worth it! Plans include:

*replacing the water main line on Wornall and installing new storm sewers.

*New sidewalks, curbs, streetlights; and added flower beds and benches.

*The Trolley Track Trail will have a dedicated surface along Wornall from 74th-75th.

*Adding more parking spaces in the two lots; note there will not be an entry to the south lot from 75th St, effectively eliminating the curbside food pick up from Waldo Pizza.

The Waldo Area Business Association does have a website (a work in progress) to keep you posted on developments — just know it’s going to be a large, slow moving construction project that will have an immediate and long term effect on the local small businesses in the area. Please make an effort to continue to support these restaurants and services throughout the construction–-they are here to serve you!!