west bottoms fire

[scooterj]

If you haven't heard all the sirens or noticed the giant column of black smoke, the West Bottoms is on fire again.  This time a warehouse full of tires.

[staubio]

No, we are losing the West Bottoms!  Make it stop.

I surely hope there is no foul play involved.

[ignatius]

[Big Red Storm]

You have got to be kidding.

[Algernon]

It looks bad.  I've seen (and heard) several big firetrucks zoom down there.  I walked down to the park where Beardsley and 4th meet to see what was going on and it's huge - flames and smoke billowing out of the building right next to I-70.

[LenexatoKCMO]

flames and smoke billowing out of the building right next to I-70.

Time for those folks who live out West to rethink their commute route!

[KCN]

No kidding

[scooterj]

Channel 5 has video up now.  

http://kctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3619682

You can also apperently see it on one of the KCScout cameras but I can't get that site to come up currently.

[ComandanteCero]

you know what.  I honestly don't give a rats ass about the industrial businesses down there.  They need to rezone that whole area between I-70, 635, and the state line into light industrial to start allowing residential rehabs.  We are losing these buildings that could make for PRIME rehabs and one of the most interesting and distinct neighborhoods in the city to the apathy and lack of care of these industrial interests, who quite frankly could move somewhere else pretty easily, instead of hogging historic property and letting it burn down.

edit: looking at the news, it doesn't look like the building that burned down is historic.  But i still think they should rezone this area.

[scooterj]

Looks like they've just closed I-70.

[staubio]

I rode down there tonight -- as close as I could get.  I asked the cops blocking the street if the building was anything special and apparently it wasn't historic in any way.  It is close or on Woodsweather, which is lined with mostly 50s and 60s style 1 or 2 story buildings.  It sounds like this was a building and several storage trailers.

There was still a good area of lingering smoke at 10 when I rode through.

[kcdcchef]

good god, i hope it was no where near the woodswether cafe, the best food in kc!!! you should eat there, GREAT GRUB!!!!!

[staubio]

good god, i hope it was no where near the woodswether cafe, the best food in kc!!! you should eat there, GREAT GRUB!!!!!

It was a block and a half away.  Access to the cafe wasn't blocked even during the fire, so it wasn't close enough to do any damage or threaten the place.

Thanks for the tip, by the way.  I've been meaning to try it.  Any recommendations on what to try first?

[kcdcchef]

oh my god, the chicken fried steak. they make it fresh, right in front of you no less, not frozen, FRESH STEAK!! there is only seating in that deathtrap for about 20, but it stays packed the whole day!!!!
get it with corn and mashed potatoes, and you will love it

[Kcfireman]

We drove by the Woodsweather Cafe on the Fire truck the other day and it was closed.

[kcdcchef]

dont tell me that damnit, best food in kc. i hope you are fucking with me.

[Kcfireman]

dont tell me that damnit, best food in kc. i hope you are fucking with me.

Oh its a great place to eat.  I'm not sure if its closed, but it was that day.

[kcdcchef]

nah, i just called them. they are OPEN FOR BUSINESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[scooterj]

They close right after lunch, I think, so if you drove by too late in the day that's why.

[staubio]

They close right after lunch, I think, so if you drove by too late in the day that's why.

Actually, no, I rode by last night and they had an "opening soon" sign on the door.  There were "Closed for Renovations" signs in the windows.  They have painted over all of the grafitti and installed a big backlit sign.  Looked like everything was in place inside, though.

If they are indeed open, I will try them on a pre-work bike ride this week.