K.C. streetcar plan belatedly moves forward

Following years of political indecision, as well as confusion surrounding the modes of light rail transit and streetcar and their differing applications, Kansas City, Mo., on Wednesday approved a special tax district in its downtown to fund a $100 million, two-mile streetcar line.

The City Election Board Wednesday authorized the vote, limited to registered voters within the boundaries of the proposed district, which was 319-to-141 in favor of the streetcar.

Some of those voting against the measure, in web commentary, questioned whether a streetcar would generate more ridership than existing bus service in the district. Others simply stated streetcars had no place in U.S. urban planning, oblivious to developments in cities such as Seattle, Cinncinnati, and Atlanta.

Kansas City officials said they had also closed a $25 million gap in funding created when a federal grant the city applied for was not forthcoming for the project,. Officials believe alternated funding, combined with some cost savings, is in place for the line, projected to run from River Market to Crown Center. The proposed tax district would generate about $75 million of the initial construction cost, as well as provide operating funding.

Local media quoted City Councilman Russ Johnson saying, “This project is a go,” as he addressed transit advocates who gathered at the city’s Union Station, itself a proposed stop on the streetcar line as well as the focus of urban renewal efforts. “We are on schedule for 2015 and we will be riding streetcars in 2015,” Johnso said.

Kansas City voters have cast ballots on light rail transit proposals eight times in the past 15 years, rejecting LRT seven times. Voters approved one proposal in 2006, authored by former city resident Clay Chastain, to be funded by money diverted from an existing bus tax, but city officials voided the election result, a move upheld in court later.