Royals No matter where you live, the revival of downtown Kansas City is a great investment - Page 5

|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

**TinyEvel** · 02-22-2015, 05:38 PM

Quote:

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....

Is this a Guru mult account?

**penguinz** · 02-22-2015, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Please.

So you think that place was built exclusively for Garth Brooks and Fleetwood Mac concerts?

It is one one the busiest concert venues in the nation. A concert is going bring more people to P&L nightly than a weak nba or nhl team.

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.

-King- · 02-22-2015, 06:27 PM

I am confused by people saying they wouldn't walk downtown at night? Why not? I've never had any problem ever there or even seen anything that could lead to a problem.

KCUnited · 02-22-2015, 06:33 PM

I prefer the warm snuggly woobie feel of Gardner.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 02-22-2015, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -King-

I am confused by people saying they wouldn't walk downtown at night? Why not? I've never had any problem ever there or even seen anything that could lead to a problem.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 02-22-2015, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penguinz

It is one one the busiest concert venues in the nation. A concert is going bring more people to P&L nightly than a weak nba or nhl team.

Forty-one home games a year, plus potential playoff games, and you are still going to have the venue free during road trips and from June-October.

Prison Bitch · 02-22-2015, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |Zach|

You're a pussy.

You like soccer.

Demonpenz · 02-22-2015, 06:51 PM

KC is awesome with food. Music is alright. Sports teams. Hot girls. Tech Nine.

**TribalElder** · 02-22-2015, 06:54 PM

Downtown, to get there from the south you need to travel through kansas city's version of the Gaza Strip... Aka 71 highway

KCUnited · 02-22-2015, 06:58 PM

I rolled the Paseo this morning on my way to the airport, I'm a 100x more frightened of the Walmarts in Branson.

Pablo · 02-22-2015, 07:01 PM

I get scared when I'm not in my own subdivision.

KC native · 02-22-2015, 07:10 PM

I love these threads. They always bring out the "it's not safe" down there pussies.

|Zach| · 02-22-2015, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

You like soccer.

And yet here I am...not scared of my own shadow enjoying downtown Kansas City.

Pussy.

KCUnited · 02-22-2015, 07:18 PM

Winter's Bone was my Boyz n the Hood.

02-22-2015, 08:48 AM
\|Zach\| For The Glory Of The City Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $5196768	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: 53,478

02-22-2015, 06:27 PM	#64
-King- ▓▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▓ Join Date: Jan 2009 Casino cash: $2165743	I am confused by people saying they wouldn't walk downtown at night? Why not? I've never had any problem ever there or even seen anything that could lead to a problem. __________________ 🏁
Posts: 63,912

02-22-2015, 06:33 PM	#65
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $1968244	I prefer the warm snuggly woobie feel of Gardner.
Posts: 34,089

02-22-2015, 06:51 PM	#69
Demonpenz Woman should only make babies Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $2912136	KC is awesome with food. Music is alright. Sports teams. Hot girls. Tech Nine. __________________
Posts: 54,302

02-22-2015, 06:54 PM	#70
TribalElder Arrowhead Trail of Tears Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: KansasCity Casino cash: $2140441	Downtown, to get there from the south you need to travel through kansas city's version of the Gaza Strip... Aka 71 highway
Posts: 29,185

02-22-2015, 06:58 PM	#71
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $1968244	I rolled the Paseo this morning on my way to the airport, I'm a 100x more frightened of the Walmarts in Branson.
Posts: 34,089

02-22-2015, 07:01 PM	#72
Pablo Ultrabanned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $1699356	I get scared when I'm not in my own subdivision.
Posts: 40,600

02-22-2015, 07:10 PM	#73
KC native Banned Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Casino cash: $10049239	I love these threads. They always bring out the "it's not safe" down there pussies.
Posts: 24,946

02-22-2015, 07:18 PM	#75
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $1968244	Winter's Bone was my Boyz n the Hood.
Posts: 34,089