The last week of City Council holds more a few hidden surprises and this is the biggest scam by far that's moving along under the radar . . .
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE JUST APPROVED AN EXCEPTIONALLY SKETCHY $10-MILLION PLAN FOR THE STRUGGLING 18TH & VINE JAZZ DISTRICT!!!
A few things to consider . . .
During the Summer there were a spate of deadly shootings in the district that still isn't profitable.
Kansas City has spent $100 million since 1990 trying to revive this district and so far nothing works.
And worst of all . . .
THIS SHADY NEW PLAN WILL LOOT AT LEAST $3-MILLION FROM 3RD DISTRICT PIAC FUNDS TO PAY FOR THIS BOOZY MONEY LOSING JAZZ PLAYGROUND!!!
And so important neighborhood improvements will suffer so locals can brag about an attraction that has never garnered much of an audience and continues to draw away resources from people who need them most.
What's worse is that even tax & spend supporters admit there wasn't much community input into the scheme that simply extorts cash from City Hall with no end in sight.
The biggest punchline here is that the plan will allow the district to beg for fed cash (unlikely) and steal funds from other neighborhood organizations as well.
It comes up for a full vote from the Council tomorrow.
Developing . . .
1990? I think one of your commenters pointed out that the spending on this place has actually lasted longer than the jazz age. That's disappointing.
ReplyDeleteA merry Christmas for 18th and Vine indeed!
DeleteThis is confusing. I'm pretty sure that when they got the 7 million in 2017, they said that was the last amount of money that city hall would give them. But they've spent all of this year begging for more. How much do they need? TKC tries to make a point here that will get lost in the discussion. There are other projects that could be funded in the 3rd district that have a better shot at success. But this money loser keeps taking all of the cash out of the game.
DeleteYou get an Escalade, you get an Escalade, you get an.....
ReplyDeleteI really wish they would move the jazz district to KCI. At least then all the money could be blown in one place.
ReplyDeleteMusic nobody wants to hear, combined with an airport nobody wants to use, seems the perfect Kansas City strategy.
PIAC, under the current mayor and council, has become a total joke from streetcar study to Jazz District financial sinkhole.
ReplyDeleteIf you live in KC's 3rd District. Just know that the "leaders" are getting rich while the neighborhoods crumble. The only real solution is to vote them out. Hope that happens in April because this is absolute treachery to the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteWe need to have a City wide referendum which calls for a vote which would prohibit all future City money going to the 18th and Vine District. It is about time the City shows some fiscal responsibility.
ReplyDelete^^^^ That is a damn good idea!
ReplyDeleteHope somebody puts that forward. It should happen before we flush any more money down the toilet.
Heck, let's make it equal. I would like to see a city wide vote on P&L district funding too.
This is robbery, plain and simple.
ReplyDeleteJazz music is like the converse of Hickman Mills school district. It's something that used to be black but now is white.
ReplyDeleteJazz is dead, leave iI buried... rap and hippity hop is trash. If “baby it’s cold outside” is banned, I am offended by rap,jazz and hippity hop,whose lyrics degrade women,white,black and lgbt people. Bury it also. 18 th highland is a dangerous area.
ReplyDeletethose industrial blocks to the W sure do feel like a short, uplifting drive/walk, very scenic under US-71, luv it luv it luv it.
ReplyDeleteKCMO has its place of honor on the most dangerous cities list. I’d like to see a list of most reckless city spending. Between the folly trolley, the jazz district and Uncle Sly’s pizza parties, KC would have to be near the top of it as well.
ReplyDelete^^^ part of this scam is going to a wealthy black developer at 18th and forest, not in the jazz district at all
ReplyDeleteThe City Leaders sure paint the picture of how much they care now don't they!
ReplyDeleteHow can we get the Feds to investigate this? This thievery absolutely must stop? People should go to prison.
ReplyDelete^^^ Maybe an exaggeration but the right spirit. Can't we vote on this and stop throwing money down this moat.
ReplyDeleteWhen Jermaine leaves office he will be hired by one these developers. This is phase 1 of the scheme. Phase 1 get it funded with public money. Phase 2 get hired by one of the developers.
ReplyDelete