Here's just a bit of Kansas City neighborhood news and a look at how tax abated development continues near Downtown Kansas City . . . With a few worthwhile compromises.
Some revisions on a Westside development have come about after a meetings with some rather AWESOME neighborhood volunteers.
Here's a Summary of changes and a drawing of the upcoming development.
Since this is Sunday . . . Let's give credit to all parties involved for talking this one out rather than launching another City Hall slapfight.
In the end, developers agreed to scale back their zoning variances and parking rules that would've impacted a nearby school. Meanwhile, Westside neighbors fought the instinct to try and shut down or run out the project and agreed to offer their input rather than just criticism.
The reality is that Downtown, the Westside and the Crossroads are still the focal point for so much taxpayer subsidized development that's mostly a real estate bubble but still provides ample opportunity for conflict . . . This time around, it's somewhat notable that a compromise is in the works.
Developing . . .
It's too bad that most of the new buildings being built around town look like they've been designed by "architects" who used to do work designing barracks for the Soviet Army.
ReplyDeleteAnd everyone will have to live with these things for decades.
Progress.
Does anyone have an estimate on the percentage of all new or redevelopment construction in KCMO that receives some kind tax incentives?
ReplyDeleteI understand why developers ask for it, but fault our city leaders for training them to ALWAYS demand/coerce/threaten for tax breaks before doing anything.
It's really pathetic!
Gentrification: The truth behind Urban development, its systemic racism, and the resistance | Give 'Em Hell:
ReplyDeletehttps://antiracistresistance.wordpress.com/gentrification-the-truth-behind-urban-development-its-systemic-racism-and-the-resistance/
Toy Train Trolley Moron and Crossroads Big Kahuna (LOL) David Johnson says it's the NIMBY's fault and is upset because residents don't want DENSITY!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteFuck David Johnson and his density. He's not the only person who lives in Kansas City MO.
ReplyDeleteFight the tax breaks. They only take away from KC. Enough is enough!
ReplyDeleteWhy do my u luv Karl Marx?
ReplyDeleteBetter than having some eyesore at the location.
ReplyDeleteActually looks pretty good. Let em do it.
ReplyDeleteIt's not DENSE ENOUGH DAMN IT!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe west side is so far below its historic density levels that it can't sustain services or neighborhood amenities. Like it or not,
ReplyDeleteA city needs residents, and neighborhoods in the city need to have enough tax paying resident to pay for police fire sewers street repairs buses and to have things like grocery stores, restaurants etc.
Vacant lots and empty streets are bad for everyone.
Given the ever-increasing levels of crime, the crappy street maintenance, the endless water and sewer bill increases, the impossible-to-work-with city bureaucracies, the total lack of interest on the part of city hall for the most basic of services for residents and businesses, the attractions of surrounding communities with excellent schools and safe neighborhoods, and the ease with which people can get all around the metro, KCMO will NEVER have the population density it had fifty or sixty years ago.
ReplyDeletePeople are going to choose where they live.
Not urban futurists or academic planners.
Just please stick to continuing to build the taxpayer-funded downtown amusement park for millenials and leave everyone else alone.
"People are going to choose where they live"
ReplyDeleteYup, and downtown remains the fastest growing and mostly densely populated area in the entire metro. Guess they are choosing, but not choosing what you want them to.
Meanwhile, Johnson County's taxpayer funded amusement strip malls are propped up by STAR bonds, TIFs, tax breaks and incentives at levels unheard of in KC or anywhere else in America...