Light rail on Grand Boulevard

Just as we find that private enterprise, the railroads, are opposed to sharing their rails to benefit a transit hub at Union Station, we also learn that other private enterprise is uninterested in accommodating transit within their domain (8/28, A-1, “Transit route a sticking point; Power & Light District owner and the Sprint Center are not on board with light rail on Grand”).

This time it’s the Cordish Co. and the Sprint Center who are “alarmed” over the possibility of public transit intersecting their prized new developments. It is mind-boggling that either group would not be thanking their good fortune when finding the best alternatives for bringing public transit to their front door, potentially infusing riders and dollars into their economic worlds.

Once again, as a regional community, we need to insist that the best civic decisions are made to leverage our transit plan in a manner that gives our system the best chance for success. Let’s not find future generations scratching their heads, wondering what we were thinking when we mortgaged our transit future.

Matt Kauffman
Kansas City

The Cordish Co. is a major partner in the redevelopment of our once vibrant downtown, but one has to wonder how long we should be held hostage to their interests.

A Cordish representative writes, “Light rail through the district would have disastrous implications and would be terrible public policy.” These are not high-speed trains. How are they any more dangerous than a driver in a car talking on the cell phone, which we frequently see in the district? I wonder if it’s more to do with parking revenue than public safety.

Ultimately, the goal of the city is to get as many people in the district as possible. Given viable transit options, downtown Kansas City could become a destination for visitors and, to dream, suburbanites.

Michael Frost
Kansas City

I live downtown in the resident-rich area west of Grand, where my neighbors have been enthusiastic supporters of Power & Light. We were stunned and dismayed at Cordish’s position on the location of a rail line.

First, we are as capable as the residents of any densely populated city in maneuvering safely around light rail lines. Second, we think the out-of-town Cordish Co. should now support local residents in what we want, which is light rail to the part of downtown where people from the outlying areas will most want to go.

Many of us have lately been feeling that we’ve neglected a bit the restaurants and bars in other parts of town. You understand what I’m saying?

Joseph H. Ford
Kansas City

Comments

[solomon]

At breakfast sunday I read the description of the proposed line that was in the Star. Looking at the route, thinking about the existing traffic patterns along it I could only wonder, who is expected to be the riders on this thing?

Not every big city can benefit from all things, KC and light rail (as proposed) do not mesh. This is spending a boat load of money to move a very few people around.

[Marctnts]

From what I've heard, one of the biggest concerns of both Cordish and AEG is the construction that will be required for the rail line. Almost all convenient connections between the two facilities will be severed by a linear construction site seperating the two.

[Rogue]

Yawn.

[solstice]

DEEP SIX LIGHT RAIL NOW AND FOREVER!!!!!!

After we do that, maybe the Pretentious & Lame District will disappear, too.