The worst idea in Kansas City since that bar district that costs this town millions . . . Here's some discussion from today:
First there's the Mayor's presser . . .
Kansas City seeks to take major step in streetcar development
Judicial hearing will rule on creation of TDD to fund line
Wednesday 10 a.m. (pool camera)
(Kansas City, Missouri) --- Kansas City will host Mr. Bradley Tong, a developer with first-hand experience in the positive economic impact streetcars have had on private development in Portland, Seattle, Sacramento and Atlanta. Mr. Tong is a Principal in Sheils Obletz Johnsen, Inc., a nationally-known project management and development firm. The private company specializes in transit-oriented mixed use developments. Mr. Tong has overseen developments ranging from $5 million to $1 billion in capital outlays.
Mr. Tong has overseen projects that range in type from commercial to retail, residential to educational, and civic to sports amenities in cities throughout North America. He is being called to speak to the direct impact on businesses surrounding streetcar projects.
The testimony of Mr. Tong will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 18, during the Transportation Development District (TDD) hearing at Jackson County Courthouse, 415 E 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri in Judge Atwell’s Courtroom, Division 10, 8th Floor.
The Court has allowed pool camera coverage of the hearing.
Thursday 12:30 p.m. (Open press availability)
On Thursday, April 19, Mr. Tong will be joined by developer and educator Christopher Leinberger, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution and director of the Graduate Real Estate Program at the University of Michigan. The experts will answer question from the media along with Mayor James and Councilman Johnson prior to their testimony to the City Council’s Business Session.
The press availability will begin at 12:30 p.m., on the 10th floor of City Hall. Mr. Tong and Mr. Leinberger will then proceed to answer questions from the City Council on their experiences with streetcar development and its economic and civic impact. Testimony in front of Business Session will be open to cameras.
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Fox4: Downtown Streetcar Faces Opposition at Public Hearing
The Star does a bit of court stenography: Both sides debate KC streetcar district in hearing
And finally a bit of small biz push back: Mixed emotions about downtown street car
train's already left the station.There's no stopping it now.
ReplyDeleteLet's not fix streets,make it safe to live or travel through some parts of the city as long as downtown clown Russ Johnson and Sly snow job and ram this bullshit streetcar through.
ReplyDeleteI like the toy train. TOOT!!! TOOT!!!
ReplyDeletestreetcars = economic development
ReplyDeleteDidn't they bring in experts for the P&L too who spoke about how much money it will bring into the community? How much was that bill on the tax payers this year?
ReplyDeleteThey already have tolly line with gas tollys which the taxplayer are picking up the tad for now. So why do we need to throw more money at other bad idea.
ReplyDeleteIf it's such a great investment, why isn't anyone in the private sector financing it with their own money? If it's THEIR project, they could keep the profits for themselves. But everyone knows it will be another boondoggle, so the taxpayers who don't want it will be forced to take the hit.
ReplyDeleteVote the bums out at the next election.
Cordish co came in with all the numbers how p&l was going to make KC rich. How much extra a year city hall having to dump into the pot to save p&l each year. Streetcar will be the same.Special tax district won't be able to support it so more taxes will be added or MORE city services will be CUT to pay for it
ReplyDeletestreetcar = economic development ? Are you frickin serious? The only one who is going to benefit from this is the mayor (with financial kickbacks) and the clown who gets the contract. Streetcars are not going to do a damn this for this city. It's not like KC has a huge population that lives downtown that need a reason of such public transportation. The citizens of KC will be proping us this shithole idea just like Union Station and P&L.
ReplyDeleteStreetcars = economic development literally everywhere that installs them. KC is no different.
ReplyDeleteIf streets are so important and economically beneficial, why hasn't a private developer stepped up and built them?
Fact: People and business move to transit lines.
Fact: People and business pay taxes.
Bullshit: It won't work in KC the way it works everywhere else, including smaller and less dense cities that are surpassing us and adding residents and business along tranist corridors.