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YouTubekcstar.com wrote While KC dawdles on light rail, other cities continue to move aheadSubmitted by Jeffrey Spivak on May 22, 2008
So light rail is emerging from a short hiatus as a hot-button issue again, with Mayor Mark Funkhouser's three-county powwow on regional rail next week. As we head toward that showdown between regional and starter-line rail approaches, it's worth noting that some other similar-sized cities are moving ahead with rail plans.
Here's a quick rundown:
Columbus, OH: A 3-mile, $103 million modern streetcar system has a proposed funding plan, using ticket surcharges and parking fees in downtown.
Ft. Lauderdale: A 3-mile, $150 million modern streetcar system has been proposed for its downtown.
Cincinnati: The City Council has approved a 4-mile, $102 million modern streetcar system. In addition to public money, the city intends to seek $31 million from private sources, such as downtown corporations.
Detroit: A plan is taking shape for an 8-mile, $371 million light rail starter route in the heart of this city. This is in the alternative analysis process for federal funds, just like KC's starter line is.
Now, these cities aren't presented to make any case that KC should pursue streetcars, or that starter lines are the way to go; this update is provided merely to show that some of KC's similar-sized peers and the only metros larger than KC without current rail service (Cincy and Detroit) are all moving forward with light rail or modern streetcars.
Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion » Transit
Kansas City Streetcar News
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Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Posted 4 years ago # -
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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The Kansas City Star wrote Funkhouser releases regional transit plan
Posted on Tue, May. 27, 2008
By LYNN HORSLEY
Mayor Mark Funkhouser’s office today released more details of his regional transit plan, calling for a system that covers 119 miles in Jackson, Clay and Platte counties.
But the plan calls for only 11 miles of light rail, with many more miles of bus, streetcar and commuter rail. It would be paid for in part with a ½-cent sales tax that Funkhouser hopes voters will approve in the three counties in November.
Posted 3 years ago # -
ZHC
101 East Main Street, Downtown
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Kansas City's downtown has to be one of the worst I've ever been to (as of 2001) .
Last time I was there it looked as though it had been through a urban war. Buildings bombed out, decaying empty store fronts, no cars on the street and no pedestrians to be seen anywhere.
I hope for their sake that has changed.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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kansascity.com wrote New light-rail plans put federal funding at risk
By BRAD COOPER and JEFFREY SPIVAK
The way light-rail planning is going, Kansas City could end up forfeiting millions of federal dollars already committed to the city, according to some local and federal officials.
That’s because of new ideas emerging for Troost Avenue. Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser is pushing a regional rail concept that includes light rail on parts of Troost. He’s also likes an alternative, pitched by Kansas City Councilman Russ Johnson, that calls for modern streetcar rail on Troost north of 63rd Street.
The problem is, that conflicts with a Troost improvement project ready to start.
The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority already has $24 million in federal funding committed to an express bus line on Troost called bus rapid transit. It’s basically like the MAX on Main Street.
But if some sort of rail is pursued on Troost instead, some officials think that money would vanish.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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kansascity.com wrote Mayors: Light rail line will become regional
By BRAD COOPER
Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser this morning touted the proposed 14-mile starter light rail line as part of a larger regional transit network that could keep that area competitive nationwide.
“This light rail line, some people refer to it as a starter line. I’d like to refer to it as a capstone. It’s going to be the capstone of regional system,†Funkhouser said while standing at the entrance to North Kansas City near the Heart of America Bridge.
“The first cities linked in that regional system are going to be Kansas City and North Kansas City,†said Funkhouser, who was joined at a news conference by North Kansas City Mayor Gene Bruns.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Get the Video Widget Posted 3 years ago # -
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Kansas City Envisions 150-Mile Regional Commuter Rail System
October 13, 2009Hoping to push forward with new transit connections as quickly as possible, officials in the Kansas City metropolitan area are moving forward with a plan for a huge network of commuter rail lines that they say can be ready for operations in just two years. But with proponents of a long-proposed light rail system still angling for investment on their side and with no funding yet allocated for either project, the future of fixed-guideway public transportation in the region remains up in the air.
Posted 2 years ago # -
stephabulous
Vic Village
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The KC downtown has actually been through quite a revitalization in the last few years. They have a fantastic farmers market weekly (imagine all of ours combined) a nightlife "district" several restaurants and cafes and an up and coming art community. I was there this summer and went to their First Friday (their version of Gallery Hop) and was quite impressed. It's not as glitzy as the Short North and it was a little more spread out, but it was also more grassroots. For example there were local artists selling their items sometimes out of the very studios they were created in, which made for some affordable options for the everyday person. Don't get me wrong, I love Gallery Hop, but it's more for socializing and checking out the gallery's than actually buying anything (or seeing anything I can afford). However, back to the main topic of the post, I do admit their transportation situation is seriously lacking.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Streetcars could be running in downtown KC by 2015
By BRAD COOPER
The Kansas City Star
Maybe simple and small are really better after all. After years of fruitlessly fighting for sprawling light-rail plans, Kansas City is moving swiftly to build a smaller rail line linking Union Station to the River Market area.
The project is gaining momentum as two possible routes — one on Main Street and the other on Grand Boulevard — have emerged as favorites.
READ MORE: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/08/21/3090249/streetcars-could-be-running-downtown.html
Posted 9 months ago #
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