Royals No matter where you live, the revival of downtown Kansas City is a great investment - Page 4

|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

Demonpenz · 02-22-2015, 12:30 PM

the allyway by the piano bar is good. The Bank is not good ya'll

Prison Bitch · 02-22-2015, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billay

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

So why didn't you just say 15-825m per? That's correct too.

Titty Meat · 02-22-2015, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

So why didn't you just say 15-825m per? That's correct too.

What's up BEP?

suzzer99 · 02-22-2015, 12:42 PM

It's funny how whenever someone mentions downtown the first image in my mind is waiting in line for Van Halen tickets outside the downtown Jones store. For a while it was me, my buddy, and some weird dude who cut the worst fart I can ever remember smelling in my life. Smell is such a powerful reminder.

/an old man remembers

FloridaMan88 · 02-22-2015, 02:13 PM

And ironically now isn't it parts of Johnson County that are starting to experience some decay?

Metcalf South Mall closing, Great Mall in Olathe closing?

Demonpenz · 02-22-2015, 02:17 PM

The shit parts of Johnson County are closing. Olathe is the St. Joseph of Johnson County

Titty Meat · 02-22-2015, 02:35 PM

Johnson Counties problem will be the north part. Those houses are starting to age, neighborhoods are beginning to look like shit. Only a matter of time before they become low income neighborhoods.

Prison Bitch · 02-22-2015, 02:43 PM

A lot of no JoCo homes have 1-car garages and with the exception of PV, that's a really tough obstacle for today's dual-income families. Hell even one income families like mine would never consider a 1-car garage. Not in this climate.

suzzer99 · 02-22-2015, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billay

Johnson Counties problem will be the north part. Those houses are starting to age, neighborhoods are beginning to look like shit. Only a matter of time before they become low income neighborhoods.

Not White Haven though!

ChiliConCarnage · 02-22-2015, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

A lot of no JoCo homes have 1-car garages and with the exception of PV, that's a really tough obstacle for today's dual-income families. Hell even one income families like mine would never consider a 1-car garage. Not in this climate.

Really, we're talking dozens of minutes a year at most. It's not like when I was a kid. At best, you get frost/snow a really small part of the year that is easily handled.

**penguinz** · 02-22-2015, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Still no flagship tennant for Sprint Center though......

They would make less $ with a tenant.

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?

|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.

Deberg_1990 · 02-22-2015, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penguinz

They would make less $ with a tenant.

Please.

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

**TinyEvel** · 02-22-2015, 05:36 PM

I've been working in town for month and just wrapped up a temporary project. I've been staying at 9th and Walnut. I walk down to BRGR and that area for dinner several times, even go to the Tiger Tail saloon at midnight for a beer. No problem. Maybe a bum or two shuffling around but that's it. And in the heart of the P&L there are lots of pedestrians walking around, people going to the Main Street Theater for shows, cabs waiting, etc. It's fine.

It is expensive, though. I buy my groceries at that Cosentino's market on Main and damn it cost more than whole foods.

02-22-2015, 08:48 AM
\|Zach\| For The Glory Of The City Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $5326768	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: 53,435

02-22-2015, 12:30 PM	#46
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3122136	the allyway by the piano bar is good. The Bank is not good ya'll __________________
Posts: 54,273

02-22-2015, 12:42 PM	#49
suzzer99 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: L.A. Casino cash: $2964284	It's funny how whenever someone mentions downtown the first image in my mind is waiting in line for Van Halen tickets outside the downtown Jones store. For a while it was me, my buddy, and some weird dude who cut the worst fart I can ever remember smelling in my life. Smell is such a powerful reminder. /an old man remembers
Posts: 27,266

02-22-2015, 02:13 PM	#50
FloridaMan88 Mahomes: We Are All Witnesses Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami, FL Casino cash: $3162906	And ironically now isn't it parts of Johnson County that are starting to experience some decay? Metcalf South Mall closing, Great Mall in Olathe closing?
Posts: 38,241

02-22-2015, 02:17 PM	#51
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3122136	The shit parts of Johnson County are closing. Olathe is the St. Joseph of Johnson County __________________
Posts: 54,273

02-22-2015, 02:35 PM	#52
Titty Meat Inmem 2.0 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: My house Casino cash: $2277558	Johnson Counties problem will be the north part. Those houses are starting to age, neighborhoods are beginning to look like shit. Only a matter of time before they become low income neighborhoods.
Posts: 75,168

02-22-2015, 02:43 PM	#53
Prison Bitch Rabbi Goldmann Join Date: Nov 2012 Casino cash: $5450159	A lot of no JoCo homes have 1-car garages and with the exception of PV, that's a really tough obstacle for today's dual-income families. Hell even one income families like mine would never consider a 1-car garage. Not in this climate.
Posts: 87,025

02-22-2015, 05:36 PM	#60
TinyEvel Just a li'l Evel Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bald. Goatee. Jorts. Casino cash: $5407131	I've been working in town for month and just wrapped up a temporary project. I've been staying at 9th and Walnut. I walk down to BRGR and that area for dinner several times, even go to the Tiger Tail saloon at midnight for a beer. No problem. Maybe a bum or two shuffling around but that's it. And in the heart of the P&L there are lots of pedestrians walking around, people going to the Main Street Theater for shows, cabs waiting, etc. It's fine. It is expensive, though. I buy my groceries at that Cosentino's market on Main and damn it cost more than whole foods.
Posts: 11,810