Transportation
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…