TKC SUNDAY SPECIAL!!! INSIDER: PRIVATE FUNDING FAILS NEW KANSAS CITY ANIMAL SHELTER!!! NO MONEY FOR FFE!!!
For all of our effete and learned TKC readers, here's a bit of headline explanation: In the construction biz, FFE is often shorthand for "furniture, fixtures and equipment" of which the new Kansas City Animal Shelter can't afford given current budget shortfalls.
The word . . .
BUILDING THE NEW KANSAS CITY ANIMAL SHELTER HAS BECOME A GAME OF CHICKEN AND WILL SOON NEED MORE CASH TO EQUIP THE FACILITY THANKS TO PRIVATE FUNDRAISING FAIL!!!
Public/private partnerships are tenuous at best and KCMO usually gets stuck paying the bill. And so, builders moving this town to the point of crisis in order to back City Hall into a corner when the bill comes due offers an even greater threat to the good vibes during the campaign.
Remember, KCMO Voters agreed to pay $14-MILLION last year and the price has already skyrocketed to $18-MILLION before building really hits a strike.
Now, with cash quickly dwindling and no money for FFE . . . Insiders expect the animal shelter will have to go back to City Hall again for even more money.
Here's the word:
"Nobody is donating and, frankly, we're very concerned with the lack of effort in from KC Pet Project when it comes to working on improving the numbers. They're quick to have social hours and meet-up with friends but shy about reporting their fundraising progress. Add this to the questionable bidding and what we're seeing is a very one-sided deal that's far more expensive than what voters agreed upon."
Sadly, when it comes to doggies there's very little room for criticism and people don't want to imagine animal lovers struggling to uphold their agreements . . . Even if that's exactly what's happening as taxpayers have already suffered, sketchy bidding practices and a price-tag that is MILLIONS more than what was on the ballot.
this is the same thing with the rest of the go bonds. How much have KC streets REALLY improved? What's even worse is they're doing sidewalk repair in some of the richest neighborhoods in KCMO and concentrated in downtown and the crossroads, any other neighborhood just gets the finger.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to see how this ends. Just look at Detroit a few years ago. Yeah, they might be trying to launch a comeback but it's only after half of the city was blighted and vacant. It's a losing cause in KC because everybody has their hand out and the new crop of candidates are even more desperate because they don't have any name recognition or real power beyond a small circle of supporters.
DeleteHey, what's four million between friends?
DeleteHere's more to help you fill in the blanks T. Look for this and a lot of other agreements to go through in march 2019 when the old council is out and they're running for reelection or the mayor's office.
ReplyDeleteDog gone it. There goes your pension FD.
ReplyDeleteSorry.
Yes, let's spend millions to save a bunch of pitbulls and feral cats. Perhaps we need to invest in a faster incinerator.
ReplyDeleteThe first poster hit the nail on the head when they wrote: "...they're doing sidewalk repair in some of the richest neighborhoods in KCMO and concentrated in downtown and the crossroads, any other neighborhood just gets the finger." The shelter is one of many (the airport being another) that was estimated at one figure while the actual cost is sooo much more! Yet the light rail in downtown is free!
ReplyDeleteOh, and the free-to-use disc golf course that was in the place of the shelter? So much for that. We need new representation in Kansas City and I don't mean switching back and forth between two parties that do not have the cities values at heart.
"Light rail in downtown is free" When did this happen? Probably meant fair weather toy train. This news is standard operating procedure for KCMO.
ReplyDeleteSurprised GO4KC has not made an appearance spewing that this post is not fair.
The street car, which uses the same type of car as a light rail. Little difference, really.
ReplyDeleteGo to http://kcstreetcar.org/
I can ride it without paying directly at anytime.
"Directly" is the key word. Everybody who lives, works or spends in the streetcar tax district pays extra so you can ride the damn thing without a fare. It can't be called a success until riders (many riders) find the service so valuable that they will pay to use it.
ReplyDeleteYes and no. Those in the district may consider it a success due to an increase in patrons to their establishment, thus bringing their support of the rail transit. They would be willing to pay for it for such reasons. For them, extra revenue would justify the project's success and their willingness to pay for it would be seen in future expansion approvals and approval of a renewal of the tax that supports it would also signify their view of success. Using this view point, it is not the riders who choose to pay for the project but rather the willingness of those in the district that give it value.
ReplyDeleteMy problem of the project stems from the massive use of taxpayer and federal funds in small wealthy districts rather than for transportation into and out of poor districts. Even if a person argues that high crime in poor districts restricts the ability for a business to open (I don't support that argument, but that's for another time), the lack of public transportation to allow those living there to find jobs and go to work outside the area - even if it is transportation TO the wealthy districts - hinders upward mobility within these areas. If those in the wealthy districts feel this type of project is good for their district, they should be free to establish it. That being said, I feel there is a lack of interest by the city government in assisting to solve the poverty problem that plagues our city and that projects like this give a feeling of success that just covers the issues of large segments of our community.
4:02, what are those big transport vehicles I see all over Kansas City? Buses, I think they're called. They are available to transport anyone, poor or not, from where they live to where they work. They are even more convenient than streetcars!
ReplyDeleteThere has indeed been a downtown renaissance, but it predates the streetcar. I think you would have problems connecting existence of the streetcar using empirical (before and after figures, at least) methods to increased interest in downtown. Even if you could do that, there would have to be a huge benefit to area businesses in order to justify the tremendous cost of the streetcar.
Nope, it was a boondoggle all the way.
KC - Where good ideas go to die.
ReplyDeleteThis animal shelter was a great thing that has now been ruined by City Hall and the KC pet project.
Its judt stray dogs. Who cares .you people support the killing of babies by abortion but cry about a ragged ass dog.WTF is wrong with this place.
ReplyDelete^^^ KC - where all your tax money is given to developers and infrastructure has completely broken down.
ReplyDelete8:26 democraps is your answer
ReplyDeleteThis is Teresa Loar’s bullshit project, where is she on this?
ReplyDelete