Kansas City Playlist: Power & Light District Never Paid Off

As Kansas City prepares to plunk down more taxpayer cash to lure baseball, tourists, luxury housing and Gen-Z hipster/baristas . . . It's a appropriate to gauge the progress of local ambitions inside the loop.

Just so there's no mistake . . . Let's make it plain: 

NEARLY 20 YEARS LATER THE P&L DISTRICT FAILED TO PROVIDE ECONOMIC SUCCESS IT PROMISED!!!

This isn't just opinion . . . There's news fact to back up this axiom . . . Check this recent fact check that didn't earn enough attention amid social media feeds packed mostly with garbage . . .

"During Power & Light’s lifespan, through April 2022, Kansas City has picked up the tab on at least $167.1 million in total principal and interest payments, an average of $10.4 million a year . . . Power & Light’s debt service stems from $295 million in bonds the city issued in 2006 to help Baltimore-based The Cordish Cos. build the eight-block, $350 million project. But in all except one fiscal year — 2008, which covered Power & Light’s opening — the cocktail of local and state sales, property and earnings tax revenues it pledged to pay off the bonds has fallen short."

Accordingly . . .

One of these days or until the dollar falters as the world's reserve currency, Kansas City residents might be forced to ask themselves . . .

IS SACRIFICING SO MUCH CASH FOR DOWNTOWN AT THE EXPENSE OF THE REST OF KANSAS CITY STILL WORTH IT?!?

It turns out . . . Momentum has shifted . . . Downtown is no longer the fastest growing part of the metro and outrageous prices for luxury housing don't inspire awe and admiration. Instead, the high-end housing market seems like a slap in the face when it's subsidized by taxpayers who could never hope to afford that kind of gilded lifestyle. 

Meanwhile . . .

We're at the outset of an American commercial real estate collapse wherein tech and the Internet no longer require elite workers to be chained to pricey desks and mimicking factory work.

And so, without question tonight we announce . . . 

KANSAS CITY'S P&L DISTRICT FAILED!!!

New proposed development from the KC Currents and even hope of luring the Royals near the loop seem to tacitly prove this point. 

In the meantime . . . 

P&L District FAIL inspires our www.TonysKansasCity.com playlist this evening . . .

This somewhat recent hip-hop tune is as current as we get and speaks to the American, progressive, hipster ethos of unlimited spending without any regard to cost or consequences.

We remember the 80s with our 2nd favorite cover of "Downtown Train" which might be a reference to our sketchy toy train that only earned victory by way of gerrymandering.

This classic anthem from Eddy Grant speaks to how we REALLY feel about the Power & Light District. The iconic hit single "Electric Avenue" offered a rare pop culture reference to class divisions, urban strife and violence amongst the lower castes. In our hearts, this song will always exemplify the ethos of P&L.

The R&B hip/hop rap group Snap! earned a few hits during the 90s but this one is our favorite. For tonight's playlist, "The Power" reminds us that the kind of exploitive public financing campaign that established the Power & Light District was crafted by "power players" who valued victory above all else and gave little regard to the security of Kansas City or its finances. God Bless you Steve Glorioso, wherever you are . . .

Finally, for those old school TKC readers with an EXCELLENT memory still intact. Remember that this classic 1964 song from Petula Clark was licensed by former Mayor Kay Barnes and Pat Grey in their triumphant campaign to win HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS worth of public financing for a project that has yet to pay off . .  . A project that will NEVER pay off.

As always, thanks for reading this week and have a safe & fun Saturday night.