Light Rail Discussion on “Up To Date”
Light rail was the topic on today's episode of Up To Date on public radio's KCUR. Discussion focused on the recent KCDC competition.
BNIM's Steve McDowell, KCDC's Daniel Serda, KCATA's Dick Jerrold, and 4th District Councilwoman Jan Marcason were guests. Host Steve Kraske was nice enough to remind listeners that former Mayor and Councilman Emmanuel Cleaver II once called a prior KCATA-sponsored light rail proposal "touristy frou-frou"; Cleaver now represents the Kansas City area in Congress. Tom Shrout from St. Louis' Citizens for Modern Transit joined at the end to confirm what readers of this site already know: light rail is the right thing for Kansas City transportation.
An important topic that was touched on for the first time today was whether the rails should run down the center of the street or at curbside, regardless of which street is chosen. Feel free to weigh in with your comments and if you've had any experience boarding either type of system.
An archive of today's show will be available here.
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I listened to the radio show. Councilman Ed Ford only can run for 2 terms.
Joe Medley did you listen to the show? Did you hear where KCDC Daniel Serda says there will be development around these stations. Reclaim some land. There are 13 stops total. See Joe I do know what I’m talking about. There will be more the city won’t be saying about the truth about lightrail but I’ll keep you up-to-date.
Hank the 2nd caller had some good points especially about Harlem where a real estate north lander owns this land and will want TIF. I wonder if BNIM is feeding the birds ( you know, you rub my back, I’ll rub yours).
You can’t compare St Louis with Kansas City since the Metro Link runs on existing rail. Its good to hear there is a slow move on development along the Metro Link line.
Glenn LeRoy says that lightrail was a tool to spur development. But we really dont need lightrail because development is happening without it.
What’s the general consensus on here about Ultra Light Rail. I’m not as smart on this as I should be, but the ULR concept as I understand it is very light rail, with a lighter footprint (no catenary) and self powered utilizing hybrid/swappable power sources.
Looks like the same plan for LR where they would give land to developers that had bomb sites and was defeated. Up to 800 feet the first time and then another 800 feet after 1st phase was done. Thats’ a lot of land grab.
The current light rail proposals are so assinine in their premise, it is laughable that they would receive any consideration at all. Setting the touristy frou-frou, whiz-bang dialog aside, ask these questions when considering light rail:
1. How well does the route serve people truly in need of public transportation?
2. How well does the route connect people with service providers?
3. How well does the route connect people with job providers?
4. What percentage of the property along the route needs development?
5. What percentage of the property along the route has no tax abatement?
When the three proposals currently on the table are examined in light of the answers to these questions, one can see they are woefully inadequate. We must first rescind, in its entirety, the november ballot issue, then start talking about things that make sense, serve the most people, and are affordable.
Well let’s hope the Nov ballot has something about water & sewer. I would hate to think I have to take Light Rail out of town to take a bath or get a drink of water if the Fed’s shut KC off.
which would you rather have, northlander? light rail or toilets that flush?
I listend to the show, too. this was a letter to tom mcclanahan at the Star.
Mr. Chastain thoroughly embarrassed himself on the KCUR broadcast of “Up To Date” last Monday. Rather than present himself as someone willing to compromise and look at alternatives to the light rail challenge in Kansas City, as well as accept the reality of the federal funding process, he came across as a petulant, spoiled brat who isn’t getting what he wants. Our city has no tolerance for that sort of nonsense.
After listening to him bray about having to follow his “specific plan” he now wants to change it and start with something smaller. “We can pay for it ourselves,” he says. “We don’t need federal money,” he shouts. The voters want something now. NOW! Sorry, Clay, that’s not the way it works. You have stated time and time again that voters endorsed your plan as it was presented and that is what they are entitled to. Nothing less. Not a single item. Now you want to change?
The other guests on the show, Mark Huffer of the ATA and Jeff Booth of Holland & Knight were extraordinarily patient with Mr. Chastain’s various and groundless admonitions. How sorry I felt for them and the listeners to have to suffer through such drivel.
As a 30+ year resident of Kansas City, I am outraged that Mr. Chastain is arrogant enough to think he can come here and tell us what to do. He does not live here. He does not work here. He does not vote here. He does not pay taxes here. He is nothing more than a carpetbagger and this resident has had his fill of him.
As long as Mr. Chastain continues to bully everyone around the way he did on KCUR last Monday, the more I will fight with whatever energy, time, and money I have to make sure his plan never gets built.
So, sue me!