Kansas City's best and brightest believe that a streetcar will create more opportunity and drive economic growth downtown but the recent closing of a streetcar in Crown Center proves otherwise.
Evidence:
Crown Center’s Streetcar Named Desire closing in December
A few observations for transit enthusiasts to consider regarding this Kansas City streetcar demise:
- Crown Center is bustling during the week yet all of that traffic still couldn't sustain this effort. It seems that people want quicker service and more options than the outdated Crown Center streetcar could provide.
- The Crown Center streetcar had a lot of charm but still couldn't make it. Activists touting kcstreetcar.org also have many vocal fans but that might not be enough to make the $125 million dollar project go.
- The Crown Center streetcar had better parking than the upcoming line. Especially in the river market where there is a concern that motorists and the new transit effort will create conflict.
Finally . . .
- The new streetcar leads to the shuttered Crown Center endeavor. Before the new streetcar has even arrived the destination is already doomed. That might be the worst sign yet for local transit enthusiasts.
And all of this begs the question . . .
IF THE CROWN CENTER STREETCAR COULDN'T SUSTAIN ITSELF . . . HOW WILL THE DOWNTOWN TOY TRAIN DO ANY BETTER???
Clearly, not every streetcar is a safe bet in Kansas City. Crown Center offered great sandwiches and world class chili with its streetcar but still failed whereas residents have already rejected a second helping of the Downtown line and supporters are now stuck waiting of the delayed serving of a plan that has already rung up a hefty check.
Developing . . .