Here's the problem that we're often confronted with in Kansas City . . . Ironically, it's the same dilemma people have when dealing with TKC . . .
Is it ignorance or duplicity that powers so much misguided advocacy?!?
As far as this basement blogger is concerned . . . Please, always assume ignorance when judging our foibles that haven't advocated for much beyond the return of the 40oz to KC proper . . .
There's a lot of things we STILL don't know and this blog is a not-so-safe space wherein we have learned a great deal about how this cowtown really works and doesn't.
But I digress . . .
The main point . . . We're careful not to give EVERYBODY the benefit of the doubt especially given demands for taxpayer cash.
Accordingly . . .
A sketchy survey has inspired talk of more transit taxes . . . Here's the call to action:
"Join us in our efforts to win fast, frequent, reliable, and safe public transit for Kansas Citians!
"We know the people support buses and want an expanded transit system! And new poll data by @kcregionaltransit demonstrates that support extends into the wider metro area."
AND YET . . . It's perfectly okay to be skeptical when talking money.
So we ask . . .
WHY SHOULD KANSAS CITY TAXPAYERS SUPPORT DEVELOPER SLUSH FUNDS??? AND WHY WON'T ACTIVISTS TALK ABOUT THIS SKETCHY ASPECT OF TRANSIT FUNDING?!?
Of course . . .
To be fair, some activists have pushed back against the very worst proposed ATA developments over the years but that "conversation" has been ignored amid recent demands for yet another transit tax.
More context . . .
Whilst bus funding advocates claim poverty as so many neighboring cities opt out of the service . . . The agency continues to funnel MILLIONS to "transit-oriented development" schemes that often include "familiar" names for local municipal watchers along with hopes to expand their services.
Translation . . .
KCATA ISN'T JUST A LOW-KEY DEVELOPER PIGGY BANK, THEY'RE NOW WORKING TO BECOME A SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY!!!
Here's a peek at their efforts that are straight forward for anyone who bothers to read . . .
KCATA's first START incentives in 2022 were for a pair of market-rate apartment complexes in Midtown. Agency officials in 2023 pivoted the program to focus on affordable and mixed-income housing after tenant advocates and city leaders pushed back on two more market-rate projects that later got withdrawn. As of last month, START projects totaled 1,463 units, including 288 at different affordability levels.
But this year, KCATA also started taking on more than just housing projects. Housing is one of the START program's four pillars, which also include job access, health care and education . . .
And so . . .
This type of low-key financing is NEVER acknowledged by so many transit activists who either don't know or won't show how KC transit money REALLY works YET still want more of it.
In fairness, here's a recent promo clip via www.TonysKansasCity.com embed . . .
Developing . . .
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