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Old 02-22-2015, 08:48 AM  
|Zach| |Zach| is offline
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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
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Old 02-23-2015, 11:12 AM   #106
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I tried to give a dude ten bucks a few years ago when I moved down here. I was shocked when he said "Man, that ain't enough. I'm tryna get a room down here and I need at least twenty." I immediately put the money back in my pocket and told him to kick rocks. He got pissed off and became aggressive. I didn't grow up with privilege, and I know how to handle myself. When hobo Steve grabbed my jacket I put a firm forearm into his neck and pinned him to the wall (this was right next to the Midland box office, I was buying tickets). Since then, I haven't even acknowledged the homeless down here other than when I've volunteered at shelters a few times. Those people need help and are smart enough to know where to get it. The bums on the street asking for twenty spots are just looking for a buzz.
I've never had a homeless person be aggressive towards me. They might come up and ask if you have a smoke/money/whatever and you just say "Nope" and keep trucking forward. It isn't a difficult concept. Sometimes they'll try to keep walking and telling you some sob story and you just don't acknowledge them and they realize they're wasting their time. There's no need to fear them or avoid areas altogether because you think they're scary.

Maybe in twenty years when I'm living in some burb; and I make my quarterly venture into downtown past 8 pm I'll understand the fear of some posters.
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Old 02-23-2015, 11:15 AM   #107
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It's funny though when Power and Light entered the scene it absolutely killed Westport for a while. Just killed it. Then things leveled off crowds that used to coexist there seem separated into P+L and Westport and that seems to work for everyone involved. Though a lot of the businesses in P+L don't do great if there isn't an event around.
P&L was a fun spot when I didn't know any better and had just turned 21. It's still a really fun spot when there's an event in town. I usually make it down to party for the Big 12 tourney and the NCAA tourney. I don't waste a whole lot of my time there on any other weekend, unless there is a free concert or event. You'll blow through a couple hundred dollars if you aren't careful; and you can generally have a much better time in Westport/Plaza/Martini Corner for what I prefer.
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Old 02-23-2015, 11:22 AM   #108
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There's a woman in Independence, typically the parking lot of Bass Pro, who has been running a domestic abuse scam for several years. She hasn't changed her sob story at all, driving up to people talking about how she escaped her abusive husband in St Louis, and just needs $12 to get back.

But don't be afraid, prison bitch, she hardly ever mugs or murders people.
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Old 02-23-2015, 11:24 AM   #109
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Old 02-23-2015, 11:26 AM   #110
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It's weird that whenever I offer to go and get gas for these people, the problem they have goes away.
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Old 02-23-2015, 11:29 AM   #111
Al Bundy Al Bundy is offline
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Pretty self-explanatory. Don't make stupid decisions that might cause you to become the victim of a crime. I'm not just talking about violent crime, either. I hear about iPads, or purses getting stolen from cars, and that's stupidity. My comment means don't be naive...don't walk home drunk and alone at night, don't invite people you don't know home with you, don't leave valuables in your car or wave money around with in public, don't get into fights...don't be an idiot.

It's pretty safe down here, but if you make dip shit decisions, then you absolutely increase your chances of becoming a victim.
Yep. if you leave your ipad or purse on the passengers seat you're a ****ing idiot.
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Old 02-23-2015, 11:31 AM   #112
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Originally Posted by Sully View Post
driving up to people talking about how she escaped her abusive husband in St Louis, and just needs $12 to get back.
Why would she want to get back to that?
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Old 02-23-2015, 11:36 AM   #113
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Why would she want to get back to that?
Because she's scared to be in Independence, MO. All sorts of frightening areas in the KC metro.
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Old 02-23-2015, 11:36 AM   #114
cosmo20002 cosmo20002 is offline
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I've never had the desire to go to P&L for the purpose of going to P&L.
But before or after an event at the Sprint Center, it's pretty great having it there, right across the street. Beats the prior alternative in downtown, which was nothing.
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Old 02-23-2015, 11:39 AM   #115
cosmo20002 cosmo20002 is offline
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It's weird that whenever I offer to go and get gas for these people, the problem they have goes away.
Probably because you called it "petrol" and they didn't know what you were talking about.
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Old 02-23-2015, 11:39 AM   #116
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I've never had a homeless person be aggressive towards me. They might come up and ask if you have a smoke/money/whatever and you just say "Nope" and keep trucking forward. It isn't a difficult concept. Sometimes they'll try to keep walking and telling you some sob story and you just don't acknowledge them and they realize they're wasting their time. There's no need to fear them or avoid areas altogether because you think they're scary.

Maybe in twenty years when I'm living in some burb; and I make my quarterly venture into downtown past 8 pm I'll understand the fear of some posters.
I don't fear them at all. I just think the majority of the guys asking for cash on the streets are drifters that haven't fallen on hard times and are making an effort to get back on their feet...they're only making an effort to buy a pint and a C rock. I avoid them not from fear, but from an overall frustration with the way they've chosen to live their lives. Is that me basing my view of the majority on the actions of the minority? Yes. But that's what we've become in this country.
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Old 02-23-2015, 11:42 AM   #117
Strongside Strongside is offline
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I LOVE PNL for things like sporting events. It's great during Royals watch parties, World Cup, and Big 12.

Otherwise, yeah.

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Old 02-23-2015, 11:48 AM   #118
Sully Sully is offline
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Why would she want to get back to that?
I'm sure I've distorted the actual details somehow, but essentially she escaped abuse, and needs $12 for gas to get to St Louis.
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Old 02-23-2015, 11:52 AM   #119
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Old 02-23-2015, 11:52 AM   #120
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I don't fear them at all. I just think the majority of the guys asking for cash on the streets are drifters that haven't fallen on hard times and are making an effort to get back on their feet...they're only making an effort to buy a pint and a C rock. I avoid them not from fear, but from an overall frustration with the way they've chosen to live their lives. Is that me basing my view of the majority on the actions of the minority? Yes. But that's what we've become in this country.
I don't blame you for feeling the way you do at all.
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