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

[|Zach|]

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

[GloucesterChief]

Originally Posted by Bowser

Interesting. There has to be more to the story, like what kind of kickbacks did Bennett get from moving there. Because, Oklahoma City over Kansas City? Really? (not that our leadership could pull their collective heads out of their asses and land an ascending NBA team or anything, but you get what I'm saying)

No kickbacks. Bennett's sole intention when he bought the Supersonics was to move them to OKC. Stern of course saw an the opportunity of using a large market as leverage against local governments. He could entice Seattle ownership groups and use them as a threat with no intention of them actually being able to purchase a team. He did so in Sacramento.

They only problem with that strategy is that if someone has enough money they could go after the leagues no compete clause. Since Ballmer now has a team, there really isn't anybody who is interested in buying a team that has enough cash to actually bring the league to court.

[Bowser]

Well ok then, we were never in the running, lol.

I like how he promised to never move the SuperSonics, then a year later said he was moving the team, but they could keep the name, history, and colors. Sounds like a billionaire business man.

[KCUnited]

For real though, can we focus on more important issues like saving the Buzzard Beach parking lot from Pickleman's? #savewestport

[GloucesterChief]

Originally Posted by Bowser

Well ok then, we were never in the running, lol.

I like how he promised to never move the SuperSonics, then a year later said he was moving the team, but they could keep the name, history, and colors. Sounds like a billionaire business man.

Pretty much. Now you know why all leagues don't let teams be community owned like the Green Bay Packers. Makes it very hard to threaten a community when they own the team.

[Bearcat]

P&L isn't really my kind of place, except the occasional visit to the piano bar, but of course it's a nice area and much better than the abandon buildings or whatever crap was there before. And downtown isn't dangerous... I usually park on the street, sometimes a 6 or 7 block walk from P&L, and have only been asked for change once or twice, much less seen or had issues (they should light up that little park at 12th and Walnut though).

[Fish]

P&L is not a bargain. Downtown is a pain in the ass. Nightmare parking, annoying one-way streets, overpriced food and drinks.

Just not for me....

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by Fish

P&L is not a bargain. Downtown is a pain in the ass. Nightmare parking, annoying one-way streets, overpriced food and drinks.

Just not for me....

Those parking garages have to be a nightmare after big events if you're looking to leave right away... never had an issue finding parking elsewhere though and being able to make a quick exit if needed.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by Bowser

P&L isn't a disaster or anything, it's just overpriced.

From a financial stand point it cost the city anywhere from 15-30 million a year and will do so for the next 20 years.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

For real though, can we focus on more important issues like saving the Buzzard Beach parking lot from Pickleman's? #savewestport

No Shit parking was a headache last night and it wasn't even that busy

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by Billay

From a financial stand point it cost the city anywhere from 15-30 million a year and will do so for the next 20 years.

That isn't true and you continue repeating it.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by Bowser

I'd like someone to write an insider story one day on how we ****ed up and didn't get the Thunder to come here.

You didn't **** up. They were never coming to KC. They would have never left Seattle if Stern and Bennett hadn't colluded to rat **** the city out of a basketball team they consistently supported.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

That isn't true and you continue repeating it.

Oh? So the 14.3 million dollar a year tax payer subsidy is just made up huh?

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by Billay

Oh? So the 14.3 million dollar a year tax payer subsidy is just made up huh?

I thought you said 15-30?

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

I thought you said 15-30?

It's projected to be about 16.5 by 2017 with 20 years to go. Now tell me how I'm wrong.

[KCUnited]

Originally Posted by Billay

No Shit parking was a headache last night and it wasn't even that busy

The best parking spot in Westport is the one person spot on Westport road that divides the Hurricane back entrance, The Foundry, and McCoys parking lot. There's a power pole and a utility box right there making it somewhat difficult for a passenger to get out. A lot of people don't realize you can park there because reading parking signs is a lost art in the age of massive parking lots. It's been available every time I go down there for a decade plus.

I wouldn't mention it, but I'm moving.