Waldo Community Improvement District Annual Report 2012-2013

Waldo Community Improvement District
Annual Report
2012-2013
Finally, I want to call your attention to the artwork that graces
this year’s cover. In 2012, we had a terrific intern in the person of
Megan Painter, a KU architecture graduate who came to us to see
how urban communities work. Megan has since moved on to start
her professional career, but she left us with this wonderful
illustration that puts Waldo at the center – right where it’s always
been, and right where we plan to keep it.
Gregory Boulevard
ad
75th St,
Wornall Ro
Of course, one of the most important roles the WCID plays is to
continue to improve its business environment, its appearance and
its appeal to visitors. That’s why this year we’ve built on the
work of the Waldo Wizards (our beautification team) and the
Waldo Roadrunners (our public awareness team) with a new
program that encourages businesses to make improvements to
their storefronts. We’re growing the program slowly, in keeping
with our commitment to be stewards of Waldo’s resources. All
that beautification is just one step toward making Waldo a
destination of choice. This year we’ve emphasized promotion,
with new programs like “Where in Waldo?” the Waldo
Sweepstakes and the Waldo Wednesday promotion.
Commercial Areas Served by
Waldo Area Business Association
and Waldo CID
ad
Waldo’s always attracted the adventurous, the entrepreneur, the
rugged individualist. Over the last hundred years or more, the look of
Waldo may have changed, but the spirit has not. That’s why our
latest promotional slogan seems so apropos. “Do What You Want to
Do!” – in Waldo, anything is possible!
State Line
Ro
Do What You Want to Do!
CID Corridor General
Boundaries & WABA
Businesses
WABA Business Areas only
(non-CID)
85th St.
District Manager
Waldo CID Board of Directors:
Officers:
Sam Gromowsky, Almar Printing, President
Darrell Spoon, Swyden Cleaners, Vice President
Becky Beck, American Family Insurance, Secretary
Peggy LaPierre, AFLAC, Treasurer
Members:
Chris Lewellen, Two Lew’s Properties
Dave Smith, Dave Smith the Lampmaker
Steve Vawter, Vawter & Co.
WABA Board of Directors:
Officers:
Peggy LaPierre, AFLAC - President
Alicia Ahlvers, KC Public Library -Waldo - 1st VP
Jerry Singer, Jerry Singer Automotive - 2nd VP
Theresa Van Ackeren, Family Bicycles - Secretary
Patrick Sanders, Patrick's Bar & No Grill - Treasurer
Members:
Debby Allmon, Schloegel Design Remodel
Tracy Boley, Walgreens
Charles Eberle, Goodman Gravley Insurance
Steven Kyser, UMB Bank
Angie Lile, LileStyle Productions
Robert McCain, Chartwell Realty
Dr. Aaron McDonald, Center of Life Chiropractic
Stacy Neff, One More Cup
James O'Brien, The Gaf Pub and Grille
Chris Robb, Parkway Wealth Advisors
About The Organizations
In 2009, the Waldo Community Improvement District (CID)
was formed to provide a source of funding for the ongoing
maintenance, promotion and beautification of the area. The
Waldo CID’s boundaries are generally those commercial areas
on Gregory Boulevard between Oak and Wornall, and on Wornall Road between Gregory and 85th Street. Broad areas of
funding include area awareness officers, maintenance of
public rights-of-way, maintaining gateway and landscaping
features, and the marketing and promotion of the district.
The Waldo Area Business Association (WABA) has been
representing the interests of the Waldo business community
for more than 100 years. In addition, WABA is engaged by the
Waldo CID to support its efforts in the areas of promotion,
marketing and events. All businesses and property owners
within the district boundaries are automatically members of
the Waldo Area Business Association, as well as Waldo area
businesses outside those boundaries that choose to join.
Waldo Community Improvement District
& Waldo Area Business Association
6814 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64131
816-523-5553 - (fax) 816-333-1022
waldomo.com
CID Investment in Promoting Waldo Pays Off
The Waldo CID works cooperatively with the Waldo Area Business
Association to promote the Waldo area. This partnership has proved to
be one of the CID’s primary contributions to the Waldo area.
Promotion of Waldo is at an all-time high, and is branching out in
exciting and creative ways.
In the last few years, Waldo has undertaken a strategic approach to promotion and marketing, focusing on
the unique “live-work-play” environment present in today’s Waldo. Since the first businesses arrived in
Waldo in the early 1900s, the emphasis has been on a diverse, sometimes eclectic mix of commerce.
Today, that spirit is captured in Waldo’s tag line, “Do What You Want To Do.” And that spirit is reflected in
the most recent of Waldo’s promotional schemes.
“Where in Waldo?” turns the iconic Waldo marker into a game of hide-andseek. Each month, a miniature version of the brick obelisk at 75 th & Wornall
shows up on Facebook cleverly tucked away inside a Waldo business. Those
who find “Waldo” get a free prize, and Waldo residents and regular visitors
are encouraged to visit Waldo businesses.
The Waldo Sweepstakes Contest gives Waldo shoppers a chance to win $100
in “Waldo Bucks,” certificates accepted by participating businesses. The first
sweepstakes ran for six months last spring, with three winners selected each
month. Participating merchants also contribute to the prize awards,
extending the cooperative connections in Waldo’s promotional efforts.
CID Financial Highlights
The Waldo CID annual budget is zero-based. Total budget for 2012 was $583,100.
Income
 The largest share of WCID’s income is generated by an additional sales tax
levy. In 2012, that levy was $0.005.
 Special assessments represent a set fee of $150 levied annually against all
property owners within the Waldo CID boundaries.
 Because WCID contracts with the Waldo Area Business Association for
management of promotions and marketing, promotional income (and
expenses) for WCID represent a small percentage of the annual budget.
Expenses
 WCID’s four broad categories of expenses are property (capital improvements,
maintenance and storage); services to businesses (beautification and bicycle
patrol); activities (promotions and marketing, and misc. member services); and
administration (staffing, office, professional services and miscellaneous
expenses).
Assets
 WCID maintains a reserve fund to safeguard the District’s operation in the
event of significant changes in the local economy. The fund is established by
the board as 10 percent of the monthly sales tax receipts. These assets are
invested in certificates of deposit with Waldo area financial institutions.
New This Year in Waldo
The Waldo CID initiated a Storefront Improvement Grant (SIG) to encourage
businesses to make basic improvements to their facades and exterior spaces. The
application process involves an application, submittal of plans and a presentation
to the WABA Property Committee, who administers the project for the CID. The
grant allows for reimbursement of 50% of the project costs, not to exceed $5,000.
WCID continues its efforts in the area of bringing a more unified look to the Waldo
area, in big ways and small. Last year saw the installation of a second gateway
marker at Gregory Blvd. and Wornall Rd. This year, the Waldo logo is incorporated
into decorate but functional bike racks that have proved so popular, the supply is
struggling to keep up with the demand. The racks reinforce the Trolley Track Trail
as a bike corridor, and at the same time emphasize the identity of Waldo.
A unique new business opened its doors in Waldo in 2013. The Bier Station,
located at Rockhill Rd. and Gregory Blvd., is not a traditional tavern. The business
plans to builds on Kansas City’s growing identity as a mecca for craft-beer
enthusiasts. Unique and variable selections will be available on tap and for
package sale. Light fare is offered.
Just up the street, another new dining venue offers a similar experience for the
wine lover. Though it’s called “Louie’s Wine Dive,” the new offering in the
Romanelli Shops at Gregory Blvd. and Wornall is an upscale dining event, offering
a fine wine list and an excellent menu featuring many local food purveyors.
Remembering Dr. John J. Turley
On July 10th the Waldo community said good bye to Dr. John J. Turley, a very influential
business leader and friend. Dr. Turley came to the Waldo business community in 1954
when he opened his optometry practice on 75th Street. For nearly 60 years, Dr. Turley
was a central figure in Waldo, through the growth of his practice which now extends to
its second generation, and through his decades of tenure with the Waldo Business
Association. WABA has benefitted greatly from John’s wisdom and guidance as a board
member, past president, and his devotion to projects like the development of the Waldo
Community Improvement District, the Trolley Track Trail and the Waldo Fountain and
Monument. Dr. Turley also spearheaded the effort to commemorate WABA’s original executive secretary,
Ruth Bradfield, by lending her name to the small park and Metro station on Wornall Road at 76th St.
Many priceless WABA moments were captured through the countless
photographs John took over the past several decades. He especially enjoyed
riding in the KCP&L bucket truck during the Waldo Fall Festivals so he could
photograph all of Waldo! At this year’s festival, his wife June and his children
were presented with a plaque recognizing Dr. John W. Turley as the first
honoree in the Waldo Walk of Fame, located near his beloved Waldo
Fountain.
Photo by Dr. John J. Turley