Phase 2 KC Streetcar (Washington, Jackson: 2013, home, construction)

[SPonteKC]

KC City Council introduced an ordinance this week for a Transit Development District to be formed to expand KC's 2.2-mile downtown streetcar starter route (under construction, opening late '15) into a system of 3 lines (Blue, Yellow and Green on the map), totaling 8-12 miles, plus an additional BRT Route (KC currently has 2).

The combined (streetcar + BRT) system would cover the major transit routes in KC's historic 70-square mile urban core and would create one of the most well-served transit cities of its size in the middle west.

TDD formation election August in August, tax implementation election to follow.

[kcmo]

That's looks like more than 8-12 miles. Very cool though. What about running the orange line west Main into the Wesport area? Now if they can get the Jackson County regional rail going to compliment the streetcars.

[MOKAN]

Does it really make sense for a line to go south Waldo past 75th? Might it make more sense to stop there, but to also have a spike that goes east on 63rd St to the zoo? I think the 63rd St corridor would be great for transit-oriented development.

[ProspectiveTransplant]

I can't offhand think of any practical way to make this work, but the Linwood line approaches the stadiums enough that I have to wonder if any kind of transportation arrangement from there to the stadiums would work.

Of course, for, say, most Royals games, I doubt many people are going to want to take public transportation home late at night, especially through that particular corridor.

[MOKAN]

^I don't see why urban core residents should have any real problem traversing that corridor on a streetcar, especially when there will be a ton of other sports fans riding with them. The 31st St and Linwood corridors are not that bad and, just like several other cross-town corridors, are already driven by commuters everyday.

[ProspectiveTransplant]

Originally Posted by MOKAN

^I don't see why urban core residents should have any real problem traversing that corridor on a streetcar, especially when there will be a ton of other sports fans riding with them. The 31st St and Linwood corridors are not that bad and, just like several other cross-town corridors, are already driven by commuters everyday.

Oh, I know it's fine... but I'm just thinking about perceptions among many of my JoCo neighbors, who have a Pavlovian negative reaction to anything east of Holmes around Midtown.

It would be neat if we could get it to work.

[MOKAN]

Other than driving to friend's places who live in the urban core and riding the street car with them, I'm not sure why JoCo residents would have anything to do with it. East of Troost isn't a nice place, even though parts are okay-ish, so I wouldn't be too hard on people who take caution, especially if they're fairly unfamiliar with the city in general. It might seem like I just did a 180, but not really. As far as those from JoCo who live in the urban core...well, if they made that step, they might make the next and ride the street car.

[ProspectiveTransplant]

Originally Posted by MOKAN

Other than driving to friend's places who live in the urban core and riding the street car with them, I'm not sure why JoCo residents would have anything to do with it. East of Troost isn't a nice place, even though parts are okay-ish, so I wouldn't be too hard on people who take caution, especially if they're fairly unfamiliar with the city in general. It might seem like I just did a 180, but not really. As far as those from JoCo who live in the urban core...well, if they made that step, they might make the next and ride the street car.

You're probably right anyway. Washington DC built a baseball stadium in an area of time with an edgy reputation, and public transportation has been a huge success there for game day traffic. Of course, the DC Metro is world class awesome anyway.

[PVPete]

Originally Posted by ProspectiveTransplant

I can't offhand think of any practical way to make this work, but the Linwood line approaches the stadiums enough that I have to wonder if any kind of transportation arrangement from there to the stadiums would work.

Of course, for, say, most Royals games, I doubt many people are going to want to take public transportation home late at night, especially through that particular corridor.

What happened to Mike Sanders' commuter rail idea? I thought that was supposed to run past the stadiums.

[skrizzle]

Originally Posted by kcmo

That's looks like more than 8-12 miles. Very cool though. What about running the orange line west Main into the Wesport area? Now if they can get the Jackson County regional rail going to compliment the streetcars.

I'd like to see them use existing rail lines to connect the suburbs to downtown if possible. I know I saw a plan on that before. Would be pretty cool.