The streetcar was billed as an economic engine and the anchor for Downtown Kansas City development. Now, the coronavirus pandemic has brought life across the nation to a full stop and Kansas City is forced to reconsider the viability of the toy train.
Here's a bit of context . . .
The American economy has suffered a historic decline and unemployment threatens to impact 1/3rd of the American workforce.
Locals report that the hospitality industry has been DEVASTATED by coronavirus and could take years to recover.
Roughly 25 percent of KC businesses laid off workers due to pandemic . . . And that number will CERTAINLY grow by the end of the month.
Experts are preparing the public for a pandemic death toll that could end 200,000 American lives.
Meanwhile . . .
KANSAS CITY TOY TRAIN SPENDING PERSISTS WITH FULL SPEED AHEAD!!!
Pushing a tourist train whilst we still don't know the full impact of coronavirus on the American economy is a questionable proposition that has now has little chance at Federal funding given that so many resources will be dedicated to far more important public health and recovery projects.
Even worse . . .
THE PUBLIC MIGHT NOT WANT TO CLIMB ABOARD CROWDED PUBLIC TRANSIT AFTER THE CORONAVIRUS HAS ALREADY KILLED THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS!!!
Fact is . . . Coronavirus has CHANGED THE UNITED STATES and things will never be the same again. The time for this frou-frou transit has passed and now locals are forced to confront a reality wherein tourism, travel and entertainment can no longer sustain a local economy.
Here's a glimpse at the money grab that isn't waiting for federal funds and seemingly hopes local news will quietly downplay any resistance:
#200165: Authorizing the Director of Public Works to execute a construction manager at risk contract with KC Streetcar Constructors for the Kansas City Streetcar Main Street Extension project that includes Phase I - Preconstruction Services in the amount of $2,700,000.00 and, subject to appropriation of funds and successful negotiation of a Final Guaranteed Maximum Price, Phase II Construction Services; and authorizing an agreement with HDR in the amount of $4,709,672.00 for design work for the Kansas City Streetcar Main Street Extension project.
Developing . . .
No public vote or federal funds required. I guess the momentum just keeps on going till the money is gone.
ReplyDeleteCan already here the arguments for it: The streetcar is economic stimulus but even during a bull market it was still just a KCMO corporate welfare project.
DeleteWierd that similar systems
Deleteare indispensable in so many other cities.
Gotta keep that money machine rolling!
ReplyDelete^^^ +1
DeleteSo, the streetcar team is right in front to get their money first. Can't really blame them. This train was always about paying the lawyers, consultants and promoters first and before anyone else. It's just too bad that they have no mercy for anyone else who might need city hall help right now. Nope, streetcar team has dibs on KCMO cash and they don't want to allow any debate or dissent from voters.
ReplyDeleteTHAT'S RIGHT 8:52 MY $TREETCAR CASH BUILT MY SOLID GOLD HOUSE AND BOUGHT MY WIFE 112HHHHH BREASTS! AND STILL THE DUMP TRUCKS DROP OFF BAGS OF $TREETCAR CASH ALMOST DAILY NOW!!!
Delete^^^ you left out slie
ReplyDeleteThe train was always a pipe dream. Not surprised to see that they won't let it die.
ReplyDeleteSo a pipe dream like the money we need to pay for maintenance on the roads and streets that we already couldn't afford last year. You're going to learn to love potholes even more.
Delete^^^and yet @9:14 it is absolutely NOT a pipe dream as it currently exists here in real life. You know, the place you’re divorced from? Weird.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone ever thought that a national health emergency or KCMO city government hurtling toward bankruptcy would cause any of the usual suspects to change their behavior, this is a clear answer to that dream.
ReplyDeleteThe usual special interests want to continue to feather their own little narrow nests and the cowardly KCMO electeds just never have the guts to say no or even try to get serious.
Next up?
Downtown baseball stadium and expanded Bartle Hall.
And just for fun, let's throw in a few more million for the "Jazz District" and P&L.
Or we'll be left behind!
It never changes.
^^^^ Oh it was a dream alright by some idiots thinking it was needed transportation for Kansas City. The location of it for the first phase alone tells you it was all about the downtown area and nothing else. Kansas City had a great rail system in place years ago like a lot of other cities did and it failed just like this one should have failed from the very beginning. The mass majority of people around here won't use public transportation simply because it doesn't work for them. And when I say mass majority I'm betting it's 98% of the population in the whole metro area. What will the city try and resurrect next; horse and buggy routes?
ReplyDeleteWhy aren't you dead yet? Go out more, Stupor Dave.
DeleteAnt yet, 9:17, it exists as nostalgia and will never replace buses, which are transit.
ReplyDeleteHoping that the streetcar people will see the error of their ways. The streetcar is not a good plan for KC any longer.
ReplyDeleteStupid Dave: As the streetcar exhausts in Kansas City, and you don’t live here, please refrain for commenting on it. Copy? Thanks now go lick some toilet seats.
ReplyDeleteHey Dave stay inside we need your input on things!
ReplyDelete9:34 Please go play on some busy railroad tracks somewhere preferably out in the country where the train won't stop after hitting you and the coyotes can have a free lunch on what's left of you. Just look at that as your one major contribution in life.
This streetcar thingy is a joke. Next up from our leaders at city hall will be the reopening of the Pony Express to handle our mail service followed shortly there after by issuing every resident a burn barrel so you can go back to burning your trash as they use to about the time they killed the streetcar that once ran here in Kansas City and as far out as Olathe.
ReplyDelete^Sick antisocial people such as yourself should be banned from the internet.
ReplyDelete^^and yet they aren’t and never will be. Weird.
ReplyDelete^^Quit using the words yet and weird you f'in retard.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteCrowded?
Really?
10:28
ReplyDeleteDon't under estimate the speed of the Pony Express.
Signed: Sleepy Joe Biden
10:28 -
ReplyDeleteEvery American should have their own horse!
Signed: Bernie Sanders
Sleepy Joe Biden asks.......when did they get rid of the Pony Express?
ReplyDeleteNext thing you're going to say is that there are no more Paddle Boats on the Mississippi!
Roll that streetcar straight up Sly’s fat lard ass.
ReplyDeleteCoronavirus is under control. Air tight. Numbers are going down. Kansas City streetcar is the best. We've got our best people working on it. It will be tremendous. Don't be nasty or a cutie pie.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the City Council should look at this in another way. $5 million dollars is equivalent to 125 respirators. How many additional respirators could the city purchase if it shut down budget dollars for 18th and Vine, Linwood Grocery and Jazz Museum???
ReplyDeleteThese folks are waiting for Federal dollars which may or may not materialize. No plan B for these guys...
Fixed rail overhead wire slow moving streetcars are old technology. By the time the extension is built it will be obsolete. The future of street transit is not streetcars. It is autonomous driving shuttles that will seat 6-8 people, move frequently and more directly to destinations. This is already being done in some cities. The streetcar is not lightrail, metrorail or a subway. It is not rapid transit. It's just a bus on rails with more limitations than a bus.
ReplyDeleteThe inability of a leader to admit a mistake and change course is a significant weakness. I would like to see a ballot petition requiring this expansion to be approved by a city wide vote.
ReplyDeleteBob Evans has hot chicks.
ReplyDeleteSleepy Joe Biden
Mommy...my diapers wet-Donald Trump
ReplyDelete^^^^ crybaby snowflake alert!
ReplyDelete^^^Lunatic shitflake alert.
ReplyDeleteMight as well buy out the leases for the Royals and Chiefs now since no more use for the stadiums - way too many people in close contact, particularily for Chiefs.
ReplyDelete