Transportation
‘Greenline’ Concept Would Loop Downtown with Recreational Trail
By Kevin Collison An ambitious plan to create a 10-mile “Greenline” recreational loop around downtown similar to the popular BeltLine in Atlanta is being championed by developer Vince Bryant. “It’s not a new idea,” Bryant told the Downtown Council board last week. “Most progressive cities have rails to trails projects. “The goal is to have…
Mr. Gerend Goes to Washington to Tout KC Streetcar Extension Plan
By Kevin Collison The head of the Kansas City Streetcar Authority had a rare chance to testify before Congress last week and personally lobby federal transit officials about the planned extension of the streetcar from downtown to UMKC. Tom Gerend, Streetcar Authority executive director, came back encouraged about the agency’s chances next year to obtain…
Isle of Capri Casino Sale Renews Hope for Streetcar Connection
(Updated July 21, 2020. Twin River Worldwide Holdings completed the acquisition of the Isle of Capri casino on July 2 and has renamed it “Casino KC.” “The company expects to substantially reposition the casino with a transformational redevelopment plan,” according to a release from the Rhode Island-based firm. “Most of the related capital expenditures are…
River Market Office Plan Fizzles, KCATA Seeking New Proposals
By Kevin Collison The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority has dropped the developer of a proposed River Market office project after four years without progress and will be seeking new proposals soon. Briarcliff Development, which has been pursuing a 200,000 square-foot office project at Third and Grand since 2015, did not have its development agreement renewed…
New KC Streetcar Rolls Into Town, Ridership Breaks 6 Million
By Kevin Collison The Kansas City Streetcar Authority got a belated present for its third birthday Monday morning, a shiny new vehicle fresh from Spain to add to its existing fleet of four. The new streetcar, dubbed #805, arrived at Third and Grand by flatbed truck after leaving port near Houston Friday morning. It was…
Streetcar Extension Plan Fails to Make FY 2020 Federal Budget Cut
By Kevin Collison The planned extension of the streetcar from downtown to UMKC failed to make the funding cut in the proposed new federal budget, a setback local streetcar officials hope to overcome next year. The Federal Transit Administration’s budget recommendation for FY 2020 did not include the $151.6 million being sought by the Kansas…
Streetcar Extension Plan Wins Key Support From Federal Agency
By Kevin Collison Federal transit officials have rated the Kansas City Streetcar Authority’s $151.6 million funding application “medium high,” a vital step toward building the planned extension from downtown to UMKC. While the Federal Transit Administration rating doesn’t guarantee funding in the pending federal budget, anything below a medium rating would have killed the project’s…
Streetcar Voices: Downtown Riders Tell It Like It Is
By Brian McTavish The Kansas City Streetcar has provided free transportation to more than 5.5 million riders since opening in May 2016. But the reasons for hopping aboard can vary as much as the downtown travelers it brings together. For devoted downtowners, the streetcar is a key factor in more conveniently living and working in…
Plans Underway to Reconnect Walnut Street Through City Market
By Kevin Collison The city is planning to reopen Walnut Street to traffic through the City Market on weekdays, reconnecting the original street grid with the goal of bringing more activity to businesses along its east side. Walnut had been a two-way traffic route through the Market up until about 30 years ago. It then…
Proposed Pedestrian/Bicycle Span to Downtown Riverfront Well-Received
By Kevin Collison The latest design for a proposed bicycle/pedestrian bridge to Berkley Riverfront Park was warmly received last week but people will have to chill a little longer to learn how the project could be financed. Port KC hosted the public meeting on the ped/bike span, part of the larger plan to use the…