KCRag Forum

cknab1 wrote: If anyone at Western Auto can tell me, was Signature management company the original management there and were they fired and replaced by Curry.  I'm investigating Signature for a bid on the property where I live and any background info on them would be helpful.  Also any info on Curry would be apreciated.

we've been working with curry for the entire life of our building (5 years in june) and have had great managers. they've been particularly adept at helping us navigate a tolling agreement with the builder.

Signature was fine, but I think we went with Curry due to cost.  Both seem equal to me

DaveKCMO wrote: we've been working with curry for the entire life of our building (5 years in june) and have had great managers. they've been particularly adept at helping us navigate a tolling agreement with the builder.

Curious Dave, what is a tolling agreement?

Western Auto's board fired SIGNATURE they did nothing to help anyone.They couldn't even get the janitors to clean.The property manager was supposed to be there 4 hours a day and couldn't even do that.Curry is in place now,a much much better outfit. well worth a little extra money.

Thanks, that is good info and when I meet with Signature, I will ask about that.  Curry has been with Crown Center for 30 years and I just think it is time we got another bid.  Signature does operate in the 21st century and I really like that.  In our case Curry is stuck in the 70's  We will give them both an honest shot.

I thought I saw a banner advertising something coming soon in one of the windows of the actual Western Auto building, not it's kin next door.  Anyone see what it is coming or did my eyes play tricks?

PumpkinStalker wrote: I thought I thought a banner advertising something coming soon in one of the windows of the actual Western Auto building, not it's kin next door.  Anyone see what it is coming or did my eyes play tricks?

no tricks. i don't recall what it said, but it was something that i didn't find particularly useful or interesting. good to have that space finally filled, though!

Curry has been doing a much better job with managing my building, it was CohenEsrey beforehand.  But watch out, Curry can make recommendations that benefit themselves, not the building owners, such as upgrading things prematurely that make it easier for them to maintain.

There is going to be a nice flower shop in the 2107 Grand building.  I can remember the name of the business, but I hope it does well. 

Whatever happened to the coffeeshop?  A sign has been posted for months.

ignatius wrote: But watch out, Curry can make recommendations that benefit themselves, not the building owners, such as upgrading things prematurely that make it easier for them to maintain.

Ahhhh...KC condo owners are now getting the big picture.  Board members, please remember to check those monthly statements from mgmt company about all the separate trips out to property to fix individual items.  But their monthly mgmt fees are sooooo reasonable - "oh, they charge time for travel - whoooops???!!!"

Coffee shop has been open for around a month now.  Come check it out.

cknab1 wrote:So is it true that when a light burns out in the Western Auto sign, the owners have to take turns replacing the bulbs?

So I've notice the sign isn't being taken care of lately. Likely not cheap to maintain. Any inside scoop? Did they drop maintaining altogether?

they're planning on a crowdfunding effort to restore. apparently the HOA (residents) has to pay for all of it right now.

A sign guy told me they converted it to LED about a year ago.

taxi wrote:A sign guy told me they converted it to LED about a year ago.

the HOA president told me the opposite.

From what I've been told, the Western Auto building underwent a full building survey a while ago to determine their maintenance plan for the next 20 (I think) years and they are going to have some yuge expenses in the upcoming years. I wouldn't be surprised if they decided to slow down on maintaining it.

mykn wrote:From what I've been told, the Western Auto building underwent a full building survey a while ago to determine their maintenance plan for the next 20 (I think) years and they are going to have some yuge expenses in the upcoming years. I wouldn't be surprised if they decided to slow down on maintaining it.

They are massive commercial buildings. Of course the maintenance $ are huge. Especially over 20 years.

However, just saying 'it's too expensive-let's stop doing it', is a fools path.

Dollars spent to maintain, come back in value. Dollars not spend, compound in loss of value.

loftguy wrote:

mykn wrote:From what I've been told, the Western Auto building underwent a full building survey a while ago to determine their maintenance plan for the next 20 (I think) years and they are going to have some yuge expenses in the upcoming years. I wouldn't be surprised if they decided to slow down on maintaining it.

They are massive commercial buildings. Of course the maintenance $ are huge. Especially over 20 years.

However, just saying 'it's too expensive-let's stop doing it', is a fools path.

Dollars spent to maintain, come back in value. Dollars not spend, compound in loss of value.

I agree, the less you maintain it, the more expensive it's going to be in the long run. I'm not sure if that's the true reason why, but I can understand why an HOA would choose to do that when they have a lot of other fires to put out.

I got clarification on the sign: they plan to replace the bulbs with LEDs, the arrow outline and clear red outline of the letters will remain neon.

It is not uncommon for condo developers to underestimate maintenance costs in an effort to keep HOA fees low to attract buyers. I've seen this happen many times. If you're going to buy a condo, read the decs and by-laws and compare things like fees to similar buildings that are functioning properly. They are certainly not all the same.