KC Light Rail

• Urban Society's Kevin Klinkenberg chimes in with a Think Smaller approach at The Kansas City Post.
• The Star's Yael Abouhalkah and Kevin Collison also have it figured out. Also of note: the Star retracted its support for Mayor Funkhouser — who confirmed he will carry forward with a regional transit vote in 2009 — and buried it on Saturday's editorial page.
• Fox 4's Monica Evans attempts to do the issue justice, barely raising the very low bar set by local broadcast news.
• Prime Buzz points out that we're definitely in the minority of transit-hostile cities last week.

We're not going anywhere, in case you were wondering. There's lots of potential in the aftermath of Tuesday's vote. In order of importance, here are the major fuck-ups with the starter line campaign:

Epic Fail #1: RIDERSHIP

A complete and total unknown before the election. Original schedule was June.

Epic Fail #2: CITY COUNCIL

Bickering with each other and constantly pointing the finger at Mayor Funkhouser. Yeah, we all know they want to be the next mayor, but come on. Fall in line behind the regional plan next year and put your petty differences aside… all of you. Make sure the ATA has the money to finish the Alternatives Analysis, even if you have cut the stadiums subsidy to make it happen (they're doing fine, financially… the city and transit are not).

Epic Fail #3: EXTENSIONS

The election results by ward suggest that none of the politically-motivated extensions (Water Works to I-29, Plaza to Prospect, Brush Creek to 63rd) garnered any additional real support at the ballot box.

Epic Fail #4: OAK

Who? What? When? Exactly. Right before the election the project team started dropping Oak Street as an option through downtown, unquestionably to keep Cordish out of the fray. This option was not vetted with the public and should not have been mentioned. Period.

Epic Fail #5: SEWERS

One phrase sums this up: RED HERRING. Submit the plan on time next year and get it out of the way before the next transit vote.

Epic Fail #6: BALLOT LANGUAGE

Don't make people add fractions ever again. Assuming a voter wasn't aware light rail was on the ballot, the question's language was too wordy and confusing. It did, however, have the correct amount of route detail, regardless of what the opposition said. The failure to garner a majority vote had more to do with the economy and the regional discussion (and lack of a clawback if no federal funding came through). Kudos to The Star for doing the educational legwork the project team did not make time to do.

It's hard to say with any certainty, but last night's upset against the 3/8-cent KCMO-only light rail sales tax could be a referendum on the local vs. regional discussion for transit in Kansas City. In a strange twist, the North Kansas City 1/2-cent question passed. We'll be following up in the next few days with post-election analysis and next steps. Fortunately, the Alternatives Analysis is funded and will continue through the first of next year.

And in case you hadn't heard, the most pro-transit duo ever won the race for the White House last night.

A few notes before the polls open at 6 a.m. tomorrow in Kansas City:

• The Kansas City Star has endorsed the ballot question.
• The City Council vote to put the question on the ballot was unanimous.
• The Alternatives Analysis, required for federal funding, is in progress and should complete before the sales tax takes effect in April.
• Missouri Senator Kit Bond has already provided an earmark for funding the AA and is likely to help again.
• Regional planning is underway to connect to or expand the starter line; a regional funding election will take place regardless of tomorrow's outcome.
• Demand for transit is rising all over the metro and air quality is deteriorating annually.
• Gas prices are down now, but still volatile.
• Proposition C is expected to pass, requiring Missouri utilities use renewable sources of energy.
• All polling indicates Barack Obama will win the Electoral College and popular vote, increasing the chances that federal funding for transit will increase in the next four years.

And finally… long lines are expected and there are fewer polling places in KCMO than in the 2004 election. If you're in line before 7 p.m. you have the right to cast a ballot.