Happy Bottoms Moves To Waldo

Posted on May 6, 2019 by Mary Hutchison

You may have noticed a new occupant in the former Habitat ReStore space at 303 W 79th St. It’s not a business that is open to the public, however it does provide an important community service. Happy Bottoms is a diaper bank, getting families in need diapers through several social service agencies in the six county area.

Stacks of diapers at Happy Bottoms, and their van

Current Executive Director Jill Gaikowski is the founder of Happy Bottoms. In the fall of 2009, a friend alerted her to the urgent need for donated diapers to help families in the area. Jill started a diaper drive and eventually collected 16,636 diapers, stacking up in her basement! Having found her calling, she opened a non profit organization dedicated to collecting and distributing diapers to those in need. The original warehouse location was in Lenexa; Happy Bottoms recently moved to the Waldo location for more space. Currently they are renting the building but hope to purchase it at some point.

Business and Communications Manager Beth Canipe

Business & Communications Manager Beth Canipe explained how the non profit works: the diapers are acquired through purchases (at reduced rates) and donations. The diapers are distributed through 37 area social service agencies (government programs such as WIC and SNAP do not allow diapers to be purchased under federal programs). Those families who qualify can get 50 diapers per month. Happy Bottoms also provides potty training education for parents and potty training kits.

As with most non profit programs, volunteers are always welcome! You can volunteer to help as an individual or through a “corporate engagement” program—Happy Bottoms will come to your office and set up wrapping stations to bundle up the diapers for distribution. Monetary donations are always needed. I especially like the suggestion of donating to Happy Bottoms in honor of Mother’s Day coming up this weekend!

Find out more information on Happy Bottoms and how to donate or volunteer at their website.

Diaper Bundle Stations at Happy Bottoms

Waldo Home Sales Stats-Feb 2019

Posted on March 22, 2019 by Mary Hutchison

Spring is officially here and I think we are in for another strong homebuying season! The first couple of months this year have been slow, probably due to the heavy snow and frigid cold weather of January and February. Now it’s such a pleasure to hear birds chirping in the morning! Here are the single family home sales stats for Waldo:

Feb 2019 Feb 2018

Median list price: $230,000 Median list price: $149,950

Median sales price: $231,500 Median sales price: $160,000

No. of homes sold: 10 No. of homes sold: 27

Days on market: 41 Days on market: 24

You’ll notice the huge jump in median sales price however–the majority of the homes that closed last month were over $200k, and three were over $300K–high for the Waldo area. Fewer homes sold as well.

Here are year-to-date figures:

Jan-Feb 2019 Jan-Feb 2018

Median list price: $219,900 Median list price: $162,500

Median sales price: $215,000 Median sales price: $163,000

No. of homes sold: 31 No. of homes sold: 45

Days on market: 21 Days on market: 23

Compared to 2018, prices are up 31% in Waldo but I do think that’s a bit of a fluke–as the months go on, there won’t be that much of a consistent increase. Currently there are 17 active single family homes on the market in Waldo, with a median list price of $285,000 and 27 days on market.

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

2019 Waldo Week Starts Tomorrow 2/22

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Mary Hutchison

waldoweek

Wonderful Waldo earns it’s name due to several reasons; one of them is the friendly, service oriented, locally owned shops and services available to neighbors and visitors. Celebrate Waldo Week, beginning tomorrow Feb 22, through Thurs Feb 28, 2019 and get 25% off select merchandise and services. Here’s a list of which places are participating so far:

Bier Station 9Round Waldo

Lew’s Bar and Grill Hiles Two

The Well Mike’s Wine and Spirits

One More Cup

Betty Rae’s Ice Cream Eclectics

Family Bicycles Centered Spirit/Emilie’s French Teas

Louie’s Wine Dive

Remember, you must mention Waldo Week to get the discount! A complete list of businesses participating is at www.waldokc.org. And if you want to get out tonight..all are welcome to the kick-off party from 5-8pm at Bier Station. Thank you for supporting our locally owned businesses in Waldo and Brookside!

Big Changes Planned for 75th & Wornall Intersection

Posted on February 4, 2019 by Mary Hutchison

As I reported last month, Waldo home prices are on the rise. And the planned Wornall Road Improvement Project will enhance the streetscape, beauty and walkability of Waldo even more, making the area even more appealing to homebuyers.
Last week I stopped by the Open House Public Meeting (at Hale Cook Elementary) to get more details on the project. Paid for with your tax dollars, this project focuses on Wornall Road from 74th to 79th St. Key improvements will be made at the heavily traveled and congested intersection of 75th and Wornall. They include:
*enhanced “artistic” crosswalks
*new curbs and sidewalks with accent pavers
*new streetlights and traffic signals
*a ‘gathering space’, planters, benches and litter receptacles.
This entire intersection will be reworked to be more accessible to pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders. There will be designated east/west turn lanes to access Wornall from 75th St (much needed!) and the Trolley Track Trail will be shared space with the sidewalk along the east side of the street. The NE parking lot ( in front of Waldo Pizza and The Well ) will be also be reconfigured. (The transit center will remain.)
Although construction won’t start until next spring (continuing through 2021), and the City hasn’t decided where the first phase will begin (74th or 79th St), the public is invited to view the plans and provide feedback and suggestions. Go to the website for details and updates.
As a Brookside resident who supports local businesses, I am very excited to see our tax dollars improving this area for residents and visitors. Whenever I am driving into Waldo, I avoid 75th and Wornall when possible as it is just so difficult to get through. This area is truly the heart of Waldo with so many popular shops and restaurants right there. Of course, we will have to endure with closed streets and detours for a few years—but it will be worth it!

Waldo Fall Festival Happening Sat 9/15/18

Posted on September 13, 2018 by Mary Hutchison

September is full of outdoor festivals in the KC area, and one of the most family friendly is the Waldo Fall Festival, happening this Saturday, Sept 15, 2018 at the southeast corner of 75th and Wornall in the parking lot, from 10am-5pm.

Now in it’s 26th year, the Waldo Fall Festival is a celebration of the wonderful, eclectic Waldo neighborhood: lots of local music playing throughout the day, local vendor booths, food trucks, rides and games for the kids and …no admission charge! It’s a fun time for all ages.

Because the intersection of 75th and Wornall is usually heavily congested with cars during a normal day…on Sept 15 it will be even more challenging to work around. Bike or walk to the festivities (take the Trolley Track Trail!) — or if you drive, park a few blocks away. Be extra aware of more foot traffic around the stoplights here and watch for little kids, bikes, scooters, etc.

Celebrate cooler weather, visit with neighbors and friends at the Waldo Fall Festival this Saturday!

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.

Waldo Home Sales Report-Nov 2017

Posted on December 18, 2017 by Mary Hutchison

Like it’s neighbor Brookside, Waldo homes continue to increase in value as the year comes to a close. Homes are not staying on the market very long, and sellers are getting very close to asking price. Here are the November 2017 single family home sales stats for Waldo, using the street boundaries of State Line to Holmes and Gregory to 85th St:

November 2017

Median list price: $179,900

Median sales price: $177,000

No. of homes sold: 33

Days on market: 6

The lowest sales price was $61,000 and the highest was $409,900.

November 2016

Median list price: $175,000

Median sales price: $172,000

No. of homes sold: 29

Days on market: 15

Here are the year-to-date figures:

Jan-Nov 2017

Median list price: $179,900

Median sales price: $180,000

No. of homes sold: 380

Days on market: 12

Jan-Nov 2016

Median list price: $164,975

Median sales price: $165,000

No. of homes sold: 398

Days on market: 23

As you can see from these numbers, Waldo has been a hot neighborhood for buyers the past two years. Prices are up 9% over last year. Currently there are 22 active listings, with a median list price of $180,000 and 35 days on market.

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

Road Construction Along Wornall in Waldo

Posted on November 10, 2017 by Mary Hutchison

Wornall Road is one of the most traveled street in the Brookside/Waldo area. I avoid driving on Wornall south of Gregory through 85th St–the road is very narrow and usually always congested.

You’ve probably noticed that Wornall is now down to two lanes, roughly between 79th and 83rd Terrace with some sort of construction going on.

I called KCMO to find out what was going on. The City has contracted with Infra Source to replace the gas lines. Expect this area of Wornall to have just two lanes for at least the next thirty days while the company completes it’s work.

Alternate routes include Main St, Ward Parkway, Oak and State Line.

If you must drive along Wornall during the construction, please be considerate of the road workers, other drivers and allow for extra time. It is an inconvenience but not worth a case of road rage!

Waldo Fall Festival This Saturday 9/16

Posted on September 14, 2017 by Mary Hutchison

You don’t have to live in Waldo to enjoy the Waldo Fall Festival…now in it’s 25th year!

The big event is this Saturday, Sept 16 2017 in the parking lot at the southeast corner of 75th and Wornall. This is a family friendly event, with rides, music, food trucks, games, a petting zoo and many local vendors displaying their services and products. Hours are 10am-5pm.

The intersection of 75th and Wornall is always a challenge–so please remember if you plan to attend–use the bus, walk or bike over. If you drive, plan to park a few blocks away on one of the less busy side streets. And please be extra aware of extra heavy foot and vehicle traffic in the area.

In addition, St Elizabeth’s is hosting their annual barbecue contest Friday through Sunday at 75th and Main–that intersection will be blocked off to traffic as well.

Thank you for supporting Wonderful Waldo!

Inside Brookside (And Waldo)

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

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