Street Work Along Wornall–Never Ending!

Posted on March 15, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

Last November I wrote a blog post about lane closures along Wornall, south of 75th St, due to gas lines being replaced.

Surprise! Still happening this year!

I spoke with Mario Vasquez from the KCMO Public Works department recently–he explained that Spire Energy is still working on installing a new gas main line along Wornall. The work will continue for the next few weeks as the company is also doing the roadway patching after the new line is in place.

In addition to this work, there was a water main break recently at 7814 Wornall so the water department had to repair the leak and patch up the holes. That break added to the street closures.

There is so much going on along the stretch of Wornall from 75th to 85th Streets that KCMO has created a new page on their website to keep the public updated:

www.kcmo.gov/wornall

Expect lane closures for the next several weeks and…just plan on taking an alternate route if possible to save yourself some traffic hassles!

Wornall and 85th Shopping Area Slated for Renovation

Posted on March 12, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

Today’s blog will tell you about the planned renovation changes for the northwest corner of 85^th and Wornall in Waldo—where the Price Chopper is located. This shopping area (“Wornall Village Shopping Center”) has been looking a bit shabby and run down over the years, and I’m excited share the news about the renovation!

price chapper

The Tutera Group, along with Nolte and Associates are planning to refresh this strip mall and hope to make it more pedestrian friendly. The biggest change sounds like it will be the remodeled Price Chopper store—a total inside renovation, plus moving the truck delivery area to the northwest corner of the building. The entire front of the building will have new lettering, colors, masonry and framing. New sidewalks will be installed along Wornall and W 84^th St. The Tutera Group wants to attract more retail businesses and ‘a better tenant mix’ for this area…hopefully some locally owned shops and restaurants.

strip mall

Now that the plans are drawn up, the next step is working with KCMO on the permit process and other details; if all runs according to plan, work will start in the fall of this year and be completed in Spring 2019. According to the developers, this project is a ten million dollar investment for Waldo—and will definitely make this corner more attractive to residents and shoppers. Price Chopper plans to remain open during the renovation.

Brookside St Pat’s Parade on Saturday

Posted on March 7, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

This Saturday, March 10, 2018 is the 38th Annual Brookside St. Patrick’s Warm-Up Parade! Even if you are not Irish, join your neighbors and friends for this family friendly event, starting at 2pm.

The parade route is:

Starting from 65th St and Wornall Rd, north on Wornall to 63rd St; east on 63rd St to Main; south on Main St to Meyer; west on Meyer ending at Brookside Plaza.

Please arrive early! If you are driving, park several blocks from the route and note that residential streets will be very congested. Street closures will begin early afternoon. Watch for pedestrians, strollers, lots of kids running around and huge, colorful floats! Expect traffic delays and street closures in this area through late afternoon.

Be sure to stop in for lunch or refreshments at the nearby Brookside businesses–and check out some of the new shops in the area: Skin, Lady Bye and Design in the City.

Waldo Home Sales Stats-Jan 2018

Posted on March 1, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

Waldo homes did not last long when put up for sale last year–they generally went under contract in less than two weeks and median prices were up 5.6% over 2016. I think demand for Waldo homes will continue to be strong in 2018. Below is the first report of home sales for this year, using the geographic area of Gregory to 85th St and State Line to Holmes:

January 2018 January 2017

Median list price: $164,450 Median list price: $159,950

Median sales price: $160,750 Median sales price: $159,000

No. of homes sold: 18 No. of homes sold: 27

Days on market: 24 Day on market: 36

The lowest closed sales price last month was $58,500 and the highest was $295,000.

Currently there are just 12 single family homes for sale in Waldo, with a median list price of $227,500 and ten days on market. The lowest priced home is $70,000 and the highest is $399,900.

(All stats taken from Heartland MLS; deemed reliable but not guaranteed.)

Waldo Week Begins Tomorrow 2/24/18

Posted on February 23, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

Now in it’s third year, celebrate our wonderful neighborhood of Waldo with special discounts at many participating business! Over 21 spots are offering some great deals February 24-March 2, 2018. Here are a few examples:

25% off store wide at Coco Brookside

25% off dinner entrees at Boru Ramen Bar and Summit Grill

25% off Irish sweaters at Sheehan’s Irish Imports

Other merchants with discounts include Family Bicycles, Neighborhood Cafe, The Well, Governor Stumpy’s, Avery’s Hair Design and Centered Spirit. Also, be sure to stop by Eclectics at 7015 Oak St–they are re-opening Saturday Feb 24 with a new look and displays!

Remember to mention Waldo Week when you stop in. Find a complete list of participating Waldo businesses at www.waldokc.org. Thank you for supporting locally owned businesses in Waldo!

Brookside Home Sales Stats-Jan 2018

Posted on February 19, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

It’s the beginning of a new year and home buyers are out, ready to see fresh inventory in the housing market. 2017 was a strong year for Brookside home sales–median prices were up 10.2% over 2016. Let’s see what the market did last month–I’m using the Brookside zip code of 64113 to check single family home sales.

January 2018 January 2017

Median list price: $429,450 Median list price: $395,000

Median sales price: $416,250 Median sales price: $388,500

Days on market: 37 Days on market: 36

No. of homes sold: 17 No. of homes sold: 13

The 2018 median sales price was far ahead of 2017; however more expensive homes sold last month–highest sale was $1.6 million and lowest was $185,000.

Because January is the first month of the year to track stats, there are no YTD comparisons yet…those figures will be reported next month.

Currently there are 25 active listings in Brookside, with a median price of $615,000 and 55 days on market. Note that only five homes are priced under $350K–the sweet spot for most Brookside homebuyers. Six homes are priced over $1 million.

(All stats taken from Heartland MLS; deemed reliable but not guaranteed.)

Crosswalk Changes Planned for Brookside Shops Area

Posted on February 14, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

Fortunately we have many crosswalks in Brookside and most drivers are respectful of the pedestrians and runners we have on the streets and sidewalks. However, you should know about the changes planned for one of the most popular areas: the crosswalk on 63rd St between Michael Forbes Grill and Panera Bread.

This crosswalk will be eliminated within the next few months.

The plan is to eliminate the crosswalk at this intersection and improve the crosswalk to the west that connects the two parking lots (behind Midwest Bank on the north and the future Starbucks location on the south) across 63rd St. A pedestrian signal will also be installed with a flashing red stop for the traffic. This west crosswalk isn’t very far from the stoplight at 63rd and Brookside Blvd. So when the updated crosswalk work is complete, it sounds like there will be a second light signal, (the new pedestrian one), also stopping vehicles less than a block away from the 63rd and Brookside stoplight. It will be interesting to see how that works out from a traffic perspective. I’m sure there will continue to be many people crossing 63rd St between Michael Forbes and Panera, even if the crosswalk there is eliminated. If the changes keep the cars, trucks and buses moving at a slower pace–it’s well worth it.

Another view of the crosswalk scheduled to be removed on 63rd between Michael Forbes and Panera Bread.

This project was planned to be done before the St Pat’s Day parade but as with most City projects, will be delayed and hopefully completed before the Brookside Art Annual in May.

As a side note, Starbucks plans to open by the Art Annual.

New Shop in Brookside-Lady Bye for Women

Posted on February 8, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

“Would Kate Middleton wear it?” That’s part of the criteria owner Abby Flores has when choosing clothes for her new Brookside shop, Lady Bye. Located in the former Shopgirls space at 6245 Brookside Plaza (near Foos and 5B Candles), Lady Bye opened last week and the buzz is spreading. When I stopped by, two ladies from my office were browsing in the store!

As Abby explained Lady Bye offers clothes with a classic, “east coast” feel, inspired by the elegance and beauty of style icons like Princess Diana, Jackie Kennedy and…Kate Middleton. Inside this cozy shop you’ll see jackets, sweaters, dresses, tops, and a few jeans–mostly casual and business attire that feels current, sophisticated yet comfortable and approachable. A couple of Abby’s favorite clothing lines, Mod Ref and All Row are featured, which she feels offers great quality for the price. Sizes range from petite to 3X, depending on the manufacturer, and she will do personal shopping for time pressed clients. The medium sales price is $69.

In addition to the clothes, Lady Bye offers some accessories: a few purses, shoes, candles, jewelry and perfume. And of course friendly, personal service is extended to all customers.

Abby also owns Coco, another clothing shop (temporarily relocated to 407 W Gregory next to Classic Cookie), which has a more casual, ‘west coast’ feel. She is thrilled to be back in Brookside — neighbors are so supportive as well as fellow Brookside business owners.

If you haven’t been to Lady Bye–stop in soon! Hours are 11-7pm Mon-Sat and 12-5 on Sunday, 6245 Brookside Plaza. Their grand opening is this Saturday Feb 10, 2018 with an official ribbon cutting at 10:30am.

Bier Station Hosts Youth 4 Change Fundraiser Saturday

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

Not only does John Couture of Bier Station run a friendly, neighborhood craft beer bar (with tasty food!)–his establishment is very involved in social issues and non-profit organizations in Kansas City.

This Saturday February 10, 2018 Bier Station (120 E Gregory) is hosting a fundraiser for Youth 4 Change, part of the Restart organization. ReStart works towards ending homelessness in our area, and Youth 4 Change is dedicated specifically to youth homelessness. From 2-7pm, proceeds from the sale of Walnut River Beers will be donated to Youth 4 Change.

A silent auction is also scheduled on Saturday, with gift baskets from Brookside and Waldo businesses. If you would like to donate an item or gift card for the basket, contact John at Bier Station. Thank you for supporting our locally owned businesses, especially those that give back so much to non profit groups that help KC residents!

Waldo Antiques Building Coming Down

Posted on January 29, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

A fixture of Waldo for decades, Waldo Antiques and Furniture closed last year. Driving by this spot at 226 W 75th St, just east of Wornall, was a visual treat–there was usually a few eclectic pieces of furniture or odd painting on display right there on the sidewalk. It was a local spot–a place you could wander in and browse, finding something that you wanted to buy but didn’t necessarily need!

An LLC, comprised of three partners, recently purchased the building and plan to tear it down. Working with El Dorado Inc, the new 10,000 SF building plans to host retail, services and office space. El Dorado remodeled the Botwin building at the NW corner of 75th St and Washington –it now houses Boru and Crow’s Coffee.

Say goodbye to the old brick building; hello to a modern new one. Let’s hope whatever goes up on the lot blends in with surrounding architecture. Now if only the old Brandsmart building on Gregory would be demolished…that place has been sitting vacant for years and is a real eyesore. This area is prime Waldo real estate–I’m also looking forward to the street improvements planned for the 75th and Wornall intersection, although that construction is a few years down the road.

Thank you for supporting locally owned and operated Waldo businesses!

Inside Brookside (And Waldo)

What's Happening In Brookside and Waldo (Kansas City, Missouri)

Category Archives: Waldo Community News