_Here is the latest on the Streetcar...

The initial paperwork to form the streetcar's Transportation Development District was filed in Jackson County Circuit Court. This is the first of many steps towards funding our downtown streetcar's construction and operations. A draft map of the boundaries are attached in PDF format. Please note the boundaries now include the entire Loop.

Federal funding has been identified and the lead consultant (HDR, Inc.) is already at work on the grant application. The program is called TIGER and it has been very friendly to streetcar projects in the three previous cycles. Kansas City is seeking only $25 million of the $100 million construction cost, which makes us very competitive (the minimum local match is 20% and the program typically sees billions more in applications than there are funds to disperse). The application deadline is March 19. Winners will be announced sometime this summer or fall. The City will be seeking letters of support for the application from neighborhood groups and home owners associations, so stay tuned for information on how to help!

The TDD election has been targeted for Tuesday, June 5 and will be a traditional format. You will not need to request a ballot by mail, as was previously reported. Downtown turnout for municipal elections has been terrible (15% in last year's mayoral election), so we will need to be vigilant about encouraging our neighbors to register and participate. Check now to make sure your registration matches your downtown address: http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/voterlookup/

Great public meeting for the “Making Grand Grand” project last night! There was unanimous support from those in attendance to reduce Grand Blvd down to 3 lanes (2 traffic lanes and a turning lane). There were 3 preliminary schemes presented by the design team for consideration. The 2 schemes that received the most support incorporated generous pedestrian friendly sidewalks, protected bike lanes, on street parking and various methods to incorporate trees and landscaping.  Stay up to date with the project at http://grandblvdkc.com.

If you missed the 2nd Open House see the informational handout below. The two alignment alternatives have been identified as Main Street and Grand Blvd. If you have not done so already provide feedback on these alignments at www.kcsmartmoves.org.

Also below is information on the modern streetcar.  

The Downtown Neighborhood Association has been working with the City's Greater Downtown Area Plan (GDAP) Implementation Committee.  The DNA was closely involved with the creation of the GDAP,  the City's long range plan for the downtown area, and continues this important input as the City works to implement the plan.  For the first time, through representation on a number of City and Downtown Council committees, neighborhood groups including DNA have worked with the Downtown Council, City staff, and other downtown representatives to develop consensus around a single list of priority projects in the downtown area for PIAC funding (the City's funds infrastructure and capital improvement projects).  This work has resulted in a long catalog of good projects to support downtown, which has been refined to a list of 8 projects that will be prepared as part of this year's PIAC requests:

1.  Streetcar Alternative Analysis - $1 Million - Citywide Funds - Funding for complete engineering

2.  20th Street Streetscape - $500,000 - 4th In-District - Funding for completion of construction documents

3.  20th Street / I-35 Access - $100,000 - 4th In-District - Funding for improvements related to pedestrian needs.

4.  18th Street Connector - $150,000 - 3rd and 4th District - Funding for planning

5.  17th Street, Broadway to Summit - $150,000 - 4th In-District - Funding for planning

6.  Columbus Square Park - $154,000 - 4th In-District - Street calming, tree planting, planning

7.  Triangle Park (SW Blvd & 23rd St) - $177,000 - 4th In-District - Funding for completion of construction documents

8.  West Terrace / Case Park - 4th In District - $55,000 - 4th In-District - Funding for planning and design

City seeks input regarding downtown parking

As part of its current effort to study all aspects of parking operations in the greater downtown area, the City of Kansas City, Mo., invites anyone who parks in downtown Kansas City to participate in an online survey, which can be found at: parking survey.

The study is focusing on the Central Business District and the surrounding neighbor­hoods on both sides of the Missouri River, from 31st Street on the south; North Kansas City, Mo., on the north; State Line Road on the west; and Woodland Avenue on the east. Key districts of the study area are:

a.. Downtown Loop/CBD; 
b.. River Market; 
c.. Crossroads; 
d.. 18th and Vine; 
e.. West Bottoms; and, 
f.. Crown Center/Union Station. 

The first phase of this effort is a comprehensive evaluation of the public parking supply and demand, reviewing the on-street parking supply, the City's off-street parking system, and privately owned facilities that offer public parking. A key component of that work is to gauge what downtown business owners, employees and patrons consider issues to be. 

Ultimately, the study will result in recommendations to improve or enhance the overall management, operations and the financial position of the City's Parking System. It is anticipated that the study will be complete in early fall.

For more information about the study, please call Bruce Campbell, parking administrator, at 816-513-2819.

If you missed the Open House on Tuesday and would like to provide feedback to the project team download the form below, fill it out and mail it in. 

Also check out the link below to KCTV5's coverage of the meeting and interview with DNA's Vice 
President Bill Gorman! 

KCTV5 Interview 

The Partnership Team consisting of the city of Kansas City, Mo.; the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA); Mid-America Regional Council (MARC); and Jackson County, Mo. is holding a public open house to discuss downtown alignment alternatives for a possible starter line for an expanded regional public transportation system. The open house will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 in Helzberg Auditorium at the Central Branch of the Kansas City Public Library (14 W. 10th Street) in Kansas City, Mo. Short, identical presentations will be given at 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.

In preparation for this open house please take a look at the fact sheet and FAQ information the team has released. To view the information click on the link below. 

A website is now available to follow developments with the "Downtown Corridor Alternatives Analysis" (potential streetcar between River Market and Union Station): 

http://www.kcsmartmoves.org

The website includes a fact sheet, FAQ, news releases, contact information, and other materials to keep you up to date on the latest news.
 
Project staff have indicated that a public meeting is scheduled for June 21, 2011 (time TBD) to solicit input on potential routes, transportation modes, and other considerations.  As soon as a final time and location have been scheduled, DNA will let you know!

Here are links to more press regarding the Downtown Streetcar.

KCATA Streetcar

KCTV5 Streetcar

Check out the article from the KC Star about a downtown streetcar proposal. The reporter attended our monthly meeting at the library. The DNA will be following this closely as it develops and working to keep residents informed.


Downtown Streetcar article