I find that many landowner way over value what they have.  There really isn't any neighborhoods in KC (maybe plaza) that warrant a high value without already having had significant improvements made to it (building/housing renovation).  They see other cities that have a dense urban vibrancy where that is possible and assume it should apply to them since they're in or close to the core. Then they see some development going on around them and they automatically inflate their asking price even though all they have is a barren strip of land or random dilapidated house...but in reality there just isn't a neighborhood where I feel that's  justified here.  

So, it seems to me like most land/home/building owners are willing to sell, but completely unrealistic about what they have...

They are fools

The building to the west has been renovated for a year or two. But the building on the east side remains mostly boarded up. That whole stretch of Lindwood is such a mess of suburban type buildings that completely don't fit into an urban landscape...but I honestly don't see it changing in my lifetime.

The old houses across from the entrance to Costco and Home Depot have also all been torn down except for the one furthest of the right. I don't know why they didn't go ahead and take that one out too, unless there are problems getting title to the parcel.

There's an old lady that lives there who, I would guess, has ben there for decades (there may be others living there as well). I don't know if there has been any effort to buy and demo the house, but I have a feeling it would be tough to get her out. I've crossed paths with her buying booze at the 7-11 at 9am.

Why were you buying booze at 9am?