Royals No matter where you live, the revival of downtown Kansas City is a great investment

|Zach| · 02-22-2015, 08:48 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/op...e10769627.html

Perched where I sit in Johnson County, I can only marvel at how downtown Kansas City has been resurrected. All that is missing is a statue of Kay Barnes, the former mayor who pushed through its renaissance.

We in the suburbs can take great pride in watching this vital part of the metropolitan area become a place that draws visitors to our city and provides attractions for residents of the metro. It’s a new Mecca.

It wasn’t that long ago, in 1996, when residents of south and west Johnson County were asked in focus groups what they thought of Crown Center, and what they thought of downtown.

I watched through a two-way mirror.

As someone who has lived here my entire life, I remember taking the streetcar downtown with my grandfather. I remember going downtown to shop and to eat. It was a vital part of my childhood.

So I was stunned when so many Johnson County residents proclaimed they did not know where Crown Center was, and they had either never been downtown, or had only been there once or twice.

There was little recognition that a decaying Union Station, or a decaying downtown, had any effect on Johnson County.

Had anyone asked me back then I probably would have said that having a vibrant downtown, where people would actually choose to live, was a fanciful idea and not realistic.

Haunted houses and blight consumed much of central downtown. Not exactly a source of pride. It seemed much of downtown was lost as a magnet for much of anything except crime.

Fast forward.

Thousands of Johnson Countians and others who live far outside the downtown loop visit the spectacular Sprint Center for concerts and other events. They dine in the nearby restaurants or go for drinks at a downtown bar.

Above all, they feel safe.

Recalling the 1996 focus groups, there was a near-unanimous sentiment expressed that they would “never go downtown at night” under any circumstances. They weren’t crazy. It was not safe.

I can only imagine what a focus group of out-of-town visitors to Kansas City might have said about downtown. Nothing to do. Nowhere safe to go. A dead zone.

That was the impression conventioneers and other visitors took home after staying downtown. Kansas City was a place to avoid.

Yes, I know Kansas City taxpayers unfortunately have to subsidize the Power & Light District. It’s not my tax money, but I can tell you it’s a bargain.

It is like building an interstate highway system. It doesn’t ever pay for itself, but look at what it spawns economically. Today, Kansas City not only has a nationally renowned arena, but it has an entertainment district which, in turn, has spawned apartment living downtown. Important amenities like a high-quality grocery store and fitness club add to the sense that you can live in a self-contained downtown without constant trips required for day-to-day living. In addition, office buildings are starting to fill up, thanks to a new mindset about working downtown.

A controversial downtown streetcar corridor, inevitably to be expanded south, could be a real asset to downtown. We hope so.

Few of us in the suburbs would have ever dreamed that downtown could actually become hip.

Even with too few good public schools nearby, thousands of Kansas City residents are flocking to live downtown. It goes against what those in the suburbs imagined, but the phenomenon is real.

If those focus groups from 1996 were put together today, and people were asked what they think of downtown, I would be shocked if they wouldn’t say positive things. I would be surprised to see anything less than a consensus that the well-being of the entire metropolitan area depends on a rejuvenation of our downtown — the heart of the city.

To reach Steve Rose, longtime Johnson County columnist, send email to srose@kc.rr.com.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/op...#storylink=cpy

Pablo · 02-22-2015, 09:15 AM

But I've read it's a scary place on this site no less...

Prison Bitch · 02-22-2015, 10:39 AM

I work every day downtown, and I wouldn't want to walk around there at night. I would not live there. I did not see him mention that the employee count Downtown has dropped drastically the past 10 years

Titty Meat · 02-22-2015, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

I work every day downtown, and I wouldn't want to walk around there at night. I would not live there. I did not see him mention that the employee count Downtown has dropped drastically the past 10 years

Has there been a wasteful spending project that The Star hasn't liked?

KCUnited · 02-22-2015, 10:52 AM

I can't believe they got rid of that basketball player in tight shorts mural on Grand.

Fairplay · 02-22-2015, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billay

Has there been a wasteful spending project that The Star hasn't liked?

**SAUTO** · 02-22-2015, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

I work every day downtown, and I wouldn't want to walk around there at night. I would not live there.

Why?

Prison Bitch · 02-22-2015, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

Why?

Becasue I get tired of derelicts coming up to me on the sidewalks and asking me for $. I suspect if it were at night and nobody was around, they wouldn't be asking.

|Zach| · 02-22-2015, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

I work every day downtown, and I wouldn't want to walk around there at night. I would not live there. I did not see him mention that the employee count Downtown has dropped drastically the past 10 years

You're a pussy.

Prison Bitch · 02-22-2015, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |Zach|

You're a pussy.

You like soccer.

Strongside · 02-22-2015, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

I work every day downtown, and I wouldn't want to walk around there at night. I would not live there. I did not see him mention that the employee count Downtown has dropped drastically the past 10 years

I live and work downtown. It's not unsafe if you aren't an idiot.

Prison Bitch · 02-22-2015, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strongside

I live and work downtown. It's not unsafe if you aren't an idiot.

What does that mean? Dumb people get attacked? Why would anyone fear for their safety?

KCUnited · 02-22-2015, 10:42 AM

I miss the lawlessness of old downtown KC. The Stables was dope. The Stray Cat was a byob venue on Grand. The Brick actually booked decent bands. The Steamboat Arabia hadn't ****ed the city market out of truly great concerts.

I guess it's a good thing overall for the city, but the crossroads is the closest I come to hanging out downtown.

**TribalElder** · 02-22-2015, 09:19 AM

You see they don't mention the precious Johnson countians visiting the plaza

02-22-2015, 08:48 AM	Topic Starter
\|Zach\| For The Glory Of The City Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $5206768	No matter where you live, the revival of downtown Kansas City is a great investment http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/op...e10769627.html Perched where I sit in Johnson County, I can only marvel at how downtown Kansas City has been resurrected. All that is missing is a statue of Kay Barnes, the former mayor who pushed through its renaissance. We in the suburbs can take great pride in watching this vital part of the metropolitan area become a place that draws visitors to our city and provides attractions for residents of the metro. It’s a new Mecca. It wasn’t that long ago, in 1996, when residents of south and west Johnson County were asked in focus groups what they thought of Crown Center, and what they thought of downtown. I watched through a two-way mirror. As someone who has lived here my entire life, I remember taking the streetcar downtown with my grandfather. I remember going downtown to shop and to eat. It was a vital part of my childhood. So I was stunned when so many Johnson County residents proclaimed they did not know where Crown Center was, and they had either never been downtown, or had only been there once or twice. There was little recognition that a decaying Union Station, or a decaying downtown, had any effect on Johnson County. Had anyone asked me back then I probably would have said that having a vibrant downtown, where people would actually choose to live, was a fanciful idea and not realistic. Haunted houses and blight consumed much of central downtown. Not exactly a source of pride. It seemed much of downtown was lost as a magnet for much of anything except crime. Fast forward. Thousands of Johnson Countians and others who live far outside the downtown loop visit the spectacular Sprint Center for concerts and other events. They dine in the nearby restaurants or go for drinks at a downtown bar. Above all, they feel safe. Recalling the 1996 focus groups, there was a near-unanimous sentiment expressed that they would “never go downtown at night” under any circumstances. They weren’t crazy. It was not safe. I can only imagine what a focus group of out-of-town visitors to Kansas City might have said about downtown. Nothing to do. Nowhere safe to go. A dead zone. That was the impression conventioneers and other visitors took home after staying downtown. Kansas City was a place to avoid. Yes, I know Kansas City taxpayers unfortunately have to subsidize the Power & Light District. It’s not my tax money, but I can tell you it’s a bargain. It is like building an interstate highway system. It doesn’t ever pay for itself, but look at what it spawns economically. Today, Kansas City not only has a nationally renowned arena, but it has an entertainment district which, in turn, has spawned apartment living downtown. Important amenities like a high-quality grocery store and fitness club add to the sense that you can live in a self-contained downtown without constant trips required for day-to-day living. In addition, office buildings are starting to fill up, thanks to a new mindset about working downtown. A controversial downtown streetcar corridor, inevitably to be expanded south, could be a real asset to downtown. We hope so. Few of us in the suburbs would have ever dreamed that downtown could actually become hip. Even with too few good public schools nearby, thousands of Kansas City residents are flocking to live downtown. It goes against what those in the suburbs imagined, but the phenomenon is real. If those focus groups from 1996 were put together today, and people were asked what they think of downtown, I would be shocked if they wouldn’t say positive things. I would be surprised to see anything less than a consensus that the well-being of the entire metropolitan area depends on a rejuvenation of our downtown — the heart of the city. To reach Steve Rose, longtime Johnson County columnist, send email to srose@kc.rr.com. Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/op...#storylink=cpy
Posts: 53,468

02-22-2015, 09:15 AM	#2
Pablo Ultrabanned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $1729356	But I've read it's a scary place on this site no less...
Posts: 40,583

02-22-2015, 10:39 AM	#4
Prison Bitch Rabbi Goldmann Join Date: Nov 2012 Casino cash: $5450159	I work every day downtown, and I wouldn't want to walk around there at night. I would not live there. I did not see him mention that the employee count Downtown has dropped drastically the past 10 years
Posts: 87,025

02-22-2015, 10:52 AM	#6
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $1998244	I can't believe they got rid of that basketball player in tight shorts mural on Grand.
Posts: 34,079

02-22-2015, 10:42 AM	#14
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $1998244	I miss the lawlessness of old downtown KC. The Stables was dope. The Stray Cat was a byob venue on Grand. The Brick actually booked decent bands. The Steamboat Arabia hadn't ****ed the city market out of truly great concerts. I guess it's a good thing overall for the city, but the crossroads is the closest I come to hanging out downtown.
Posts: 34,079

02-22-2015, 09:19 AM	#15
TribalElder Arrowhead Trail of Tears Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: KansasCity Casino cash: $2170441	You see they don't mention the precious Johnson countians visiting the plaza
Posts: 29,183