KC intersection blemished by sideshows after recent multimillion dollar upgrades
A Kansas City street project that took years to plan and almost two years to complete was damaged less than a month after a city ribbon-cutting, when illegal sideshows scarred the roads with tire tracks more than a week ago.
On Oct. 16, city leaders celebrated the completed, 18-month renovation of a $14 million improvement project to the Waldo neighborhood around West 75th Street and Wornall Road. The upgrades included paved roads, new sidewalks and streetlights, a replaced water main, and an outsized Waldo Area Business Association logo in the center of the intersection.
The logo featured a large ‘W’ in red, light blue, and green lettering with “Waldo KCMO” in white lettering underneath the monogram, which was overlaid on a navy blue circle with a white border.
The logo was not painted on, but a thermoplastic, melted onto the concrete with hopes that it might last longer, according to Sean Anderson, executive director of the Waldo Area Business Association.
On Nov. 1, just after midnight, the logo was damaged by several cars in a sideshow.
Kansas City police received several calls about the sideshows, said Officer Alayna Gonzalez, a police spokeswoman.
Several police officers responded to the calls after an initial dispatch at 12:13 a.m. went out to any available officer in the city, Gonzalez said. A patrol car wasn’t available and dispatched until 12:39 a.m.
A police chopper provided air support as two vehicles hit stop sticks laid down by police, but no one was taken into custody, police said.
Costly repairs to be further evaluated
Early estimates indicate repairing the logo will cost nearly $40,000, said Kansas City 6th District Councilman Johnathan Duncan.
Damage was also done to the neighborhood’s brick crosswalks, which must also be repaired. The city is evaluating the full costs of replacing the logo with a smaller version, repair damages to the brick crosswalks and install side show prevention grooves, Duncan said.
“Once we have all the information, we can make an informed decision on how to move forward,” Duncan said in a statement. “While removal of the damaged logo could happen relatively quickly, replacement couldn’t occur until temperatures rise in the spring.”
Anderson, the Waldo Area Business Association executive director, said in an email to The Star, leaving the logo unsecured without rumble strips and other implementations to deter crime was a “big mistake.”
“It feels like a big black eye after all our businesses have gone throughout the last decade,” he said.
“We would love to see the intersection restored, given that it will be protected and not put a target on our community,” Anderson said.
“This is the first time as far as I know that 75th and Wornall has been chosen for a sideshow — usually it’s 85th or Bannister [Road]. The intersection was widened as a result of the project so you have to wonder if that aided in their decision.”
Mayor Quinton Lucas told The Star the city is very aware and “disappointed” by the incident.
“It’s been a successful project, continues to be a successful project,” Lucas said. “I expect the KCPD to investigate to the fullest extent and bring people to justice.”
Illegal sideshows, where vehicles spin in tight circles and often occur at intersections, and street races, have been a nuisance that the city has been battling for years.
Kansas City police often shares its efforts to root out the illegal acts on social media and hope to put a stop to them, Gonzalez said.
“We often share those enforcement efforts on our department socials and will continue to do so as our enforcement operations continue,” she said. “Everyone deserves to feel safe when in their homes, businesses, or travelling on city roadways — stopping illegal sideshows is undoubtedly a part of that.”
“At a certain point, you have to expect a few things... people want to act a damn fool in every intersection in Kansas City,” Lucas said. “And second, that law enforcement will respond in a timely manner.... we will make sure we investigate.”
This story was originally published November 6, 2025 at 12:23 PM.
