Category Archives: Waldo Community News

This Weekend: Caffeine Crawl and Waldo Crawldo

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Here’s an event I was not aware of in Kansas City:  The Caffeine Crawl.  I saw a postcard for it when I stopped by The Roasterie a week or so ago.  And it’s just what it sounds like:  a bus tour of local coffee shops tasting various coffees. Mmmm…sounds like fun!

Caffeine Crawl Kansas City 2012

Kansas City has a good number of locally-owned coffee shops and roasters.  The 2012 KC Caffeine Crawl runs over two days this weekend, and covers 14 different venues.  Not only do the stops include the obvious spots, like The Roasterie, LatteLand and the Broadway Cafe, but also places I’m not familiar with:  Revo Cup Coffee Roasters in Overland Park and Oddly Correct Coffee Roasters on Main in midtown. (I’m making a visit to the Oddly Correct coffee shop just because the name sounds so inviting!).   The Caffeine Crawl is sold out, but anyone is welcome to the free after party Sept 15  at About the Coffee, 3185 Terrace.  This is a family friendly event featuring the ‘baristalympics’ and an organic BBQ food truck (with vegetarian options!).  The Caffeine Crawl happens in a few other cities as well, watch the website for details on the 2013 Kansas City event.

Another event happening this weekend is the 8th annual Waldo Crawldo to benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.  Starting at 6pm, all seven venues participating are within walking distance of 75th and Wornall.  A great way to check out several different bars, meet new friends and not have to worry about driving from place to place.  There are prizes and drink specials, too!  Order your tickets on line, just $5 in advance–visit www.waldocrawldo.com to order.  (For some reason the link isn’t working, so I am printing the website address for reference).

Why I Recommend Using a Local Mortgage Lender

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Regular readers of this blog will know that I champion local businesses, especially those in the Brookside/Waldo area.  Recently I had a client who decided to use a large, national lender for his mortgage loan to purchase an Armour Hills home.  I advised him that it would probably not close on time and recommended he contact Michael Kauffman at the Brookside Bank Midwest location.  He did contact Michael, but decided to use Bank X (I won’t name the bank, but you would know it!) because of a previous transaction with them.

“Jeff,” I said, “here’s what’s going to happen.  Your local contact will provide excellent service.  She will tell you that everything is going well.  She will say all of your paperwork is submitted and the loan should go through, no problems.  Then, a few days before closing, your local contact will get a message from a processor in some other city, requiring you to submit more paperwork and demanding other conditions be met before underwriting approves the loan.  You will have to scramble to meet the requirements,  and it will cause you, and the seller, a lot of stress.  And your closing will be delayed.”

And that is exactly what happened. Two days before closing, the lender demanded repairs be made to the property, even though no repairs were negotiated (we negotiated a price reduction).  The lender had the inspection well over three weeks prior to closing to review it–the required repair list was sent two days before closing.  Why?  Because I think the  out-of-town processors don’t even review the file until 48 hours before closing, and then raise the red flag.

My buyer was very upset.  We had to drop everything and get repair bids, schedule contractors and submit receipts.  Which we did. But yet..the closing was STILL delayed by five days!  My buyer had to pay additional rent and the seller (who, fortunately, had moved out and was not purchasing another home), generously let my buyer move in prior to close.  Of course, when Jeff found out about the delay, he called Michael to see if he could switch the loan to Bank Midwest–but it was too late.

Next chapter in this story….poor customer service follow-up!  My buyer wrote a long letter to his Bank X contact, outlining step by step the problems caused by the delay.  He politely asked for a lender credit on the HUD to reimburse him for the rent money he had to pay.  Bank X refused, saying “it would set a precedent “ for other customers who experience similar problems.  Sadly, the local lender contact didn’t even go to bat for her client, pushing for some sort of compensation with her manager.  And I know  Bank X has given lender credit before in other delayed deals. ( I’ve heard plenty of stories about that from my fellow agents.)  There’s the  true reflection of how  much they ‘care’ about their customers. The letter was ignored.  Not even a written response back to the buyer.

So, lesson learned once again, about the benefits of spending your money with  locally owned businesses.  Most of the time you will get better service and keep your  money in the community.  Buy local!

What’s Next for Hale Cook Elementary?

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As a real estate agent, I am often asked about the public school districts in the metro area.  It’s no secret that many KCMO families move to Kansas or another neighboring Missouri school district when their kids reach school age.  A recent study by the Kauffman Foundation estimates that less than 10% of the approximately 6000 elementary school aged children living in zip codes 64112, 64113 and 64114 attend a public school. But that’s what Friends of Hale Cook are trying to change. Located at 7302 Pennsylvania, this non-profit group is trying to re-open Hale Cook as a  neighborhood school managed  by  the KCMO district .

So will the school be ready for the 2013-2014 school year?  Too early to say.  Kansas City School Superintendent Steven Green and Mayor Sly James are supportive,  and the  next step is the feasibility study which will be taken to the school board in the fall. Friends of Hale Cook welcome all area residents to take the study–and it’s easy to do.  Just go to the Hale Cook website  and click on the link.  It took me less than five minutes to complete.

Although operated by the KCMO school district, Hale Cook  will feature focused  and  constant parent involvement with volunteers in every classroom. The  advisory board will push to partner with the hiring of the principal and teachers.  Even though the school is still  in the  planning stages,  many teachers who live in the area have contacted the Hale Cook volunteers, expressing  interest in working at the school.

In the meantime, Friends of Hale Cook are maintaining a very visible profile in the community.  Yard signs are visible,  there are regular meetings and events open to the public, and the group has a grant from the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce to grow food on the school grounds for the needy–drive by and see the garden!

Friends of Hale Cook is the best example of a group of parents committed to changing the reputation of the KCMO school district by bringing back this community school. It’s a true grassroots movement. So how will the school district respond? Will they support Hale Cook, cooperate with parents, push through entrenched bureaucracy to get the school open? This will be a test.  The KCMO school board is always talking, talking, talking about ‘getting the community and business leaders involved’ to improve the schools.  Here’s the  opportunity to see if they mean what they say.  Prove it, KCMO school board, by supporting Hale Cook. Embrace the  advisory board, partner with the parents and volunteers. And please voice your opinion by taking part in the survey.

Brookside/Waldo Tax Reassessment Notices-In the Mail!

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Did you recently get a letter from the Jackson County Assessment Department? Yes, neighbors, it’s that time again…Jackson County is reassessing residential property for the 2013 tax bills.

We recently got the letter at our house, so I called the assessor’s office to get more details about the process. Working north from south KC, their  focus is now on the Brookside area. Staff from the assessment department will soon be inspecting and measuring the  exterior of homes.  Workers will NOT ask to enter your home; however, you will receive a door hanger asking you to call in more specific information. When  you  phone in, you will be asked questions about various features of your home: how many bedrooms and baths; if you’ve added on any rooms or have a finished basement. All of this information will be used to determine a ‘fair market value’ for your home, based on recent comparable sales in your neighborhood.

Next spring, the valuation notices will be mailed.  Not only will your home have a specific dollar valuation, but it will also feature  an estimate of your new property tax bill.  In the past, your notice stated  the value of your home but not how much the tax bill might be. Property taxes are due at the end of the year, so residents will have plenty of time to protest the new property valuation if they feel it’s unfair. And remember, when your property taxes go up, so will your monthly mortgage payment to cover the tax escrow account.

Watch for assessment personnel walking around your neighborhood in the next few weeks. If you want more information, the Assessor’s office phone number is 816 881 4661.

Google Fiber Coming to Brookside – Part 2

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I wanted to write about a few more things I learned at the Google Fiber neighborhood association meeting on Monday night.  Google Fiber is  the fastest internet speed there is, 1000Mb per second, which is 100 times faster than what consumers have right now.  Google chose Kansas City KS and Kansas City MO to roll out this service, which you can register for now at the website.

You can read part one of my blog about Google Fiber at the top of this page. Other information about Google Fiber for reference:

*The ‘fiberglass box’ bringing the service to your home will be attached to the house, and stays with the house.  You will have one fiber box per TV set.

Google Fiber boxes

*Google says they will ‘work with the neighborhoods’ as to the placement of the service huts in each neighborhood location. I am concerned about this because of the unsightly AT&T UVerse boxes that were plopped on the easement and 68th St and Main in Armour Hills, which is not only an eyesore but blocks the view of oncoming cars.

* Users will have a regular remote control stick and a tablet for TV control .  (I was not allowed to take a picture of the tablet, but it’s about the size of a Kindle and very easy to use).

*You will not need a router or a server with this service.  You will have three small boxes, one for storage, another for cable and a third for DVR service.

*Four computers can be served by one network box.

*You can find a list of available TV channels on the website.  Right now, premium channels (like HBO) are not listed.  ESPN and AMC aren’t on the list either.  But Google is still negotiating, and feels these channels will be available eventually.

Google welcomes anyone interested in this service to stop by their local headquarters at 1814 Westport Road for a demonstration.  It’s very impressive–you can test out the mega-fast internet connection and the bright, hi-def TV service.  There’s plenty of Google staff to chat with you and answer questions… and it’s a very  relaxing, inviting space to hang out  and play with the new toys!  Hours are Sunday-Friday 12noon-8pm and Saturday 10am-8pm,  1814 Westport Road at State Line.

Having Google Fiber access to the KC metro area is going to change the way we work, play, and entertain ourselves.  The rest of the nation will be watching how we use this service and what happens as a result.  Even if you don’t think you have the need for faster internet service–if you plan on moving in the next few years, sign up. I believe it will add to the value of your home if it’s connected to Google Fiber.

Google Fiber Coming to Brookside–More Details You Should Know Pt 1

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 Last night I attended the Google Fiber meeting for homeowner association leaders.  Google has done an excellent job of launching this service in Kansas city—plenty of media advertising, local news coverage and an easy to navigate web site with detailed  information.  Before the meeting,  I asked friends and family:  what other questions do you have about signing up for Google fiber?  Here’s what I found out:

1)      What if you have more than one TV?  Yes, you will be charged extra to connect more than one TV to the service.  Those rates aren’t determined yet.

2)      What fiberhoods wil get connected first?  The order of installation depends on the number of  people registered in that area.  If your fiberhood has more households signed up as of the deadline, you will get service quicker.

3)      What if I have Google Fiber connected to my house and I move? Can I take Google Fiber with me?  No, the fiberbox stays with the house.

Shuttlecock light fixture at Google Fiber HQ

4)      What if I buy a house in a fiberhoodthat doesn’t have the individual Google Fiber box and I want the service?  If that neighborhood has already been serviced by Google, and your new house doesn’t have it, you will have to wait until Google can come back and connect your individual house. No timetable for how long that will take.

5)      If I don’t sign up for the service before the Sept 9 deadline, and decide later I want Google Fiber, can I still get the service?  That may be  possible, but it may be a long time before your home is connected.  Those who sign up by the deadline are first to get the service.

6)      After the Sept 9 deadline, when will Google start connecting individual homes?  Google plans to start connecting homes by mid 2013, and there will be a calendar online that shows which fiberhoods will be connected when.

7)      How will customer service work?  Google will have local customer service  representatives and two remote call center service centers.

8)      How will condos be connected to the service?  Google is still working out the details on this. 

9)      When will Johnson County get Google Fiber?  It was announced yesterday that parts of northern Johnson County will be able to register soon for the service.

I have more information to share about my visit to the local KC Google headquarters, which I will do in part two of this blog.  This is a very exciting opportunity for homeowners, and I believe it’s worth the $10 to register for the service now, even if you change your mind later and decide you don’t want it. Watching the demos of this superfast connection–it opens up a whole new way of instantly connecting with business, services, friends, family and entertainment.  The tech world will be watching us closely as this service is implemented.  Get on the spaceship!

 

 

 

 

Street Work at E 68th and Main, Armour Hills

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What’s happening at the three intersections along Main St in Armour Hills, starting at E 68th Terrace and going north?  I stopped today and chatted with the workers to find out. (The City subcontracts this work).

Street Blockage Armour Hills

Apparently there are leaks in the main water valves under the street.  The homeowner at E 68th Terrace and Main reported the leak to the City over a year ago, according to the workers on site.  At the corner of E  68 and Main, a water valve was inserted. This work has nothing to do with the federally mandated sewer upgrade project.

Six Feet Under the Street!

It was interesting to peer inside the hole where the work is being done. ..yes, it’s about 6 feet under!  These pipes are the original cast steel pipes, laid in the early 1920s.  The sections around the water valves are being replaced with ductal iron pipe.  After all the work is completed, the City should send someone out to resurface the asphalt at these three intersections.  No timetable for that project.

In the meantime, it’s a bit of an inconvenience to drive around these intersections but at least KCMO finally got around to addressing the problems!  If the resurfacing doesn’t happen in a timely manner, I’ll follow up with a call to the Public Works Department.

Whole Foods Store Coming to UMKC Area

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Some exciting news for the Plaza/UMKC/Brookside area last week: a Whole Foods Market is planned for 51st and Oak St, across from the UMKC administrative center. Currently, this area is mostly a parking lot,

Parking Lot at 51st and Oak, looking northwest

with the Kansas City Young Matrons Club House at the corner. On top of the Whole Foods will be a four-story, $39 million luxury apartment complex, with monthly rental prices ranging from $950-$1900. (These apartments will not be targeted towards the student population). If all goes as planned, the project would open sometime in 2015.

Some controversy has spung up around this plan because the developers want access to the project through a new driveway that cuts through the popular Trolley Track Trail, heavily used by walkers, joggers and bicyclists. There are already areas now where vehicles cross through the trail, but this new drive would  likely produce much more traffic going in and out on a daily basis, competing with heavy pedestrian use. Parking for the complex would be in a garage in the middle of the site.

Overall, I think our  community will welcome the Whole Foods and the apartment building. Whole Foods is just the sort of retailer that will do well at this location, serving students as well as the thousands of residents in the area. Although public parking is already scarce here, many people would walk or bike to shop at the store. Folks who live in this part of town are attracted to the area precisely because they don’t always have to jump in the car to patronize area restaurants, stores and other services. Having a huge (eyesore) parking area in front of the store isn’t necessary.

“Walkability” is a very desirable feature for many homeowners–and potential home buyers. Welcome, Whole Foods, and make sure the drive  over the trail is well marked and lighted at  night for pedestrians. Don’t remove the bus stops on Brookside Blvd that drop off on Oak or Brookside Blvd. Work with the neighbors, respect the Trail (one of our most beloved amenities) and you’ll be rewarded with our business.

Locally Owned Craft Beer Bar Proposed for Brookside

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John Couture

Remember this face?  Longtime Brookside residents will…it’s John Couture, former employee  of SRO Video.  It was so much fun to stop in that store, let the kids play with the rubber animals and browse the videos.  The staff was always friendly and knowledgeable.  SRO has been closed for a few years…but John is proposing an exciting new operation for Brookside–a craft beer bar/restaurant at the intersection of Gregory and Rockhill.

John met with the Armour Hills Homes Association board last night as the venue would be in Armour Hills at 120 E Gregory. He wanted to explain the concept, answer any questions we had  about his proposed operation and hear our opinions on a few issues.  Although it is the position of the AH board to not take a  position on  issues such as this, we all were impressed with John’s enthusiasm and commitment to being a good neighbor in Armour Hills. 

The Bier Station will offer high quality craft beers for purchase and consumption on site.  John described it as a ‘tasting bar /bottle shop’ — similar to a wine bar, with international beers on tap and some packaged beer for take out purchase. He’s committed to partnering with locally owned businesses, such as Farm to Market Bread Company for the soft  pretzels.  Other menu items will include  cheese plates, sandwiches and desserts.  Capacity will be under 100 persons, proposed hours are Monday-Thursday 11am-11pm and Friday – Saturday 11am-midnight.  There will be a partially enclosed rooftop area, possibly some lighter live music, and a ‘contemporary and European art deco’ decor with long picnic tables to encourage conversation with other beer drinkers.  John  hopes  neighborhood residents to walk or bike to the Bier Station, welcoming kids too  as the parents stop for a cold brew.

The concept sounds great, something different for the area:  a casual, comfortable  place for beer lovers to grab a beverage, enjoy a light meal and chat with friends.  He promises  all  employees will know about the craft beers served, and which beers pair up with various menu offerings.  It’s not a done deal yet, though.  John is asking KCMO for a parking variance for the site (although he does have the ok from nearby Townsend Publications to use their parking lot evenings and weekends) and he is still working out a lease agreement with the landlord.  If all goes according to plan, the Bier Station will open in December.

John grew up in KC, is a Rockhill Gardens resident and a graduate of the Kaufman Urban Entrepreneur program.  And he is committed to not only providing a quality, service oriented establishment but promises to ‘always’ be responsive to any neighborhood concerns.  Even though I’m not a beer drinker, I’m always supportive of locally owned, neighborhood friendly businesses and look forward to welcoming John and the Bier Station  to Brookside!

Brookside Events this Week

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It can be a challenge to keep up with all the Brookside events I want to attend!  This week there are two especially important meetings, so I’m blogging about the details below:

Tuesday (March 20) is the monthly board meeting of the Armour Hills Homes Association.  We’ve been discussing raising the annual dues to pay for private security a few hours a day as a response to the increase in crime.  This topic will again be discussed in more detail.  All residents of Armour Hills are welcome.  The meeting is at 7pm at the Country Club Congregational  Church, 205 W 65th St.

Also Tuesday night is the first of two meetings regarding proposals related to ‘repurposing’ nearby closed Kansas City MO schools. Prospective buyers for the Bryant School (319 Westover),  will present their ideas at 6pm at the Country Club United Methodist Church, 400 W 57th St. Proposals for the Bingham School (7618 Wyandotte) will be presented at 9am Saturday March 24 at the Broadway United Methodist Church, 406 W 74th.

I’ll report back via blogs later in the week with a summary of both meetings…wish I could clone myself for the night so I could be both places at once!