Kansas City Streetcar Authority Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary STILL Without Payoff

A decade of toy train advocacy and Kansas City has yet to see any real economic benefit.

Again . . .

Our biggest indicator is that a corner shop right at the epicenter of the streetcar remains empty. 

The transit scheme couldn't keep a BBQ place open in Kansas City . . . What does that say about the future of this transit effort?!?!

Here's a more optimistic estimation . . .

"Happy 10th Anniversary to the #kcstreetcar Authority Board of Directors. 11 million passengers trips & 2 additional extensions under design/construction…it’s been quite a ride! Thank you for your work, support & dedication!"

More context . . . 

"A new study  of the Portland and Seattle streetcar systems — which are among the nation’s oldest of the current crop of light rail networks — found that the development impacts were ultimately were mixed as a development booster."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Streetcars and Development: It's Complicated

Critics of modern streetcars say they are more a development tool than a practical mobility service. But are streetcars even good at spurring residential construction? Not so much. A new study [ PDF] of the Portland and Seattle streetcar systems - which are among the nation's oldest of the current crop of light rail networks - found that the development impacts were ultimately were mixed as a development booster.

Developing . . . Heh.