photo by: Richard Gwin

The Waffle Benedict at The Waffle Iron, 920 Delaware St.

I’m getting that paranoid feeling that I’m assuming cattle sometimes get: Someone is trying to sell me by the pound. All this is to say that I’ve gotten news that a waffle house is opening in downtown, right across the street from the Journal-World offices.

Back in January, we reported that the Waffle Iron was opening inside the East Lawrence coffee shop Decade. Well, that experiment was met with success and a whole lot of maple syrup in a fellow’s whiskers. Proprietor Sam Donnell, though, said it was becoming clear the Waffle Iron was outgrowing the relatively small spaces of Decade. So, Donnell has signed a deal to move the restaurant into larger space at 7 E. Seventh St.

Did you know @johnbrownunderground has an upstairs? Waffles + Mimosas, coming soon…

A post shared by The Waffle Iron (@thewaffleiron) on May 11, 2015 at 11:40am PDT

If you are having a hard time picturing the location, it is in that stretch of buildings between the Java Break and Hobbs. More specifically, it is the space that is directly above John Brown Underground, which is the speakeasy-style bar and restaurant that I wrote of back in August. John Brown Underground and the Waffle Iron will both use the space. John Brown uses the space — which has old wood floors and giant windows overlooking Seventh Street — for private events. Like at Decade, the Waffle Iron will be open only three days per week — from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday through Sunday. But the new space also will give the Waffle Iron a chance to do some nighttime waffle events. Donnell said he hopes to do at least one per month, and he may partner up with other local chefs for those projects. One other thing the move will do: Brunch-like cocktails will be available with the waffles. John Brown Underground will be serving some of the specialty cocktails in the space. (That’s not helping with the feeling of paranoia, by the way.)

As for the waffles, Donnell said he’s plans to stick with the same strategy that worked at Decade. He’ll offer three types: A leavened, a buttermilk and a gluten-free. He’ll have eight to 10 toppings available each week, and the toppings frequently will change. And the toppings go well beyond just your traditional fruits and butters. Donnell said one of the more popular waffle dishes he offers is called the Benedict, which involves a leavened waffle, grilled ham from Hank Charcuterie, and two farm-fresh poached eggs with a whipped hollandaise sauce. He’s also offered waffles with smoked salmon and capers, and also one called the French dip that features roast beef, horseradish sauce and au jus.

Don’t worry, though, the restaurant also offers a lot for people who like their waffles on the sweet side. Donnell has a house-made Nutella, and something that he calls cookie butter.

Donnell hopes to have the restaurant open by this weekend, but renovations and preparations are still underway on the space. Hopefully by the time it does open, this sense of paranoia will have gone away. I’m just being silly. I’m sure it is nothing. And look. Someone left me a piece of cake for breakfast. I’m feeling better already.

In other news and notes from around town:

• When the South Lawrence Trafficway is completed next year, traffic patterns are going to change significantly in Lawrence. One intersection that may become even more prominent than it is today is 23rd and Haskell. The only interchange on the SLT between Iowa Street and its eastern end will be at Haskell Avenue.

So, city engineers have added the intersection of 23rd and Haskell to their list of areas that may need some beefing up. City commissioners at their meeting tonight will consider applying for a state grant that would allow for the entire 23rd and Haskell intersection to be rebuilt in the summer of 2017.

Preliminary ideas call for the entire intersection to be rebuilt with durable concrete, and for eastbound and westbound right turn lanes to be added on 23rd Street. Plans also call for the portion of Haskell just south of 23rd Street to be widened a bit. That would make it easier to eventually widen Haskell Avenue, if traffic volumes in the future call for it. New traffic signals and handicapped-accessible sidewalk ramps also are included in the project’s plans.

The city is seeking a $1 million grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation. Engineers estimate that the city would have to come up with an additional $760,000 to complete the project.

The city, however, is expected to ask for more money from the state when it comes to 23rd Street. Currently, 23rd Street serves as Kansas Highway 10, and the city receives some state money for annual maintenance of the highway. When the SLT is completed, 23rd Street no longer will be designated as K-10. The city is hoping the state will provide a one-time payment to bring the street up to good condition before it is turned over to the city.

City commissioners meet at 5:45 p.m. tonight at City Hall. If they agree to submit the grant application, the city expects to hear whether it has received funding for the project in late summer.