Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Resort

[FangKC]

I really wonder why anyone would think that.  I would bet a mass transit initiative in JoCo would garner twice the percentage points in votes than one in Wyandotte County.   Wyandotte County was not even in the ballpark on the bistate initiatives and they have shown no reason to believe they are either willing to cooperate with the metro or are in any stretch of the imagination even slightly progressive. The population of Wyandotte county can be extremely insular.  I do not think a light rail initiative would necassarily pass in JoCo either but it would sure do better there than in Wyandotte County. 

You are right about Wyandotte County being insular.  But I think you underestimate the number of people who would benefit there from a better mass transit plan.  I didn't necessarily state it would be light rail. I meant a more integrated mass transit plan.  Wyandotte County is already tied into the KCATA better than Johnson County is, with their separate "The Jo" system.

I'm talking about the fact there are probably more low-income people in Wyandotte County who would benefit from better mass transit.  Perhaps there might be a feeder light rail line that ran from Union Station to downtown KCKS, and then would feed out from there using other methods of transport. It might be extending hours of service and adding more routes.  I think downtown KCKS could benefit a great deal though from a feeder light rail line that connects to the KCMO lines.

I just don't see light rail working as well in Johnson County, or that people there are as inclined to use it to get around Johnson  County.  Some would take it into work in downtown KCMO, but a commuter rail line could serve that same purpose.

I also see Johnson County being more inclined to develop their own, separate mass transit system, and not so inclined to participate in one being developed by KCMO.   My mind is open though and I'm more than happy to be surprised by Johnson Countians joining in a Metro-wide transit plan.

[OPIchabod]

First off, Cordish is not the company responsible for eyeing a HoBs for KCK...the HoBs is tied to Schlitterbahn, which is partnering with Extell for its retail offerings. Cordish is partnering with the Speedway for a casino, but based on what I've seen, HoBs isn't included in that proposal...

Secondly, someone brought up the point one of the main reasons behind the creation of Village West was abundantly cheap land..the same could be said for developing a light rail system - there's a lot of undervalued, yet proximite land in WyCo... Despite having far more riders, Wyandotte County public transit receives fewer transit dollars than Johnson County because JoCo has more population. There is quite a demand for public transit in WyCo, and I wouldn't underestimate the ability for KCK and KCMO to cooperate...add in some accessible land and a direct route from KCMO to Village West, and you've got a starter line that we can build off of in the future in other parts of the metro.

[QueSi2Opie]

add in some accessible land and a direct route from KCMO to Village West, and you've got a starter line that we can build off of in the future in other parts of the metro.

The starter line should run North to South...PERIOD! The main thing is establishing transit for daily commuters and a starter line that should eventually reach KCI. However, I would love to see a line which ran from Village West (going down State Ave) to Truman Sports Complex (and beyond to Blue Springs) in the future, as well as a line that runs from central Olathe, through Corporate Woods in Overland Park, down Metcalf to I-35, and eventually to downtown.  All lines cross at Union Station. Sad reality is that all of this would be 20 years away.   

[OPIchabod]

QueSi -

I totally agree, but if there's been a demand for transit along those cooridors, and if its been feasible, why hasn't  it happened? JoCo and KCMO can't agree to fund it, and it would be outrageously expensive, and the demand really isn't there.

The demand is more in WyCo (higher ridership...), WyCo and KCMO are infinitely more likely to cooperate on a funding initiative, and the costs wouldn't be as high (lower land aquisition costs, fewer stops, etc).

A North/South line makes perfect sense, but there's a reason it hasn't happened yet, and those reasons are likely to persist in the next 5-10 years.

IMO, let's first get light rail rolling on a path of least resistance, prove its worthiness, and maybe by that time, the real cooridor for it will become more accessible.

[FangKC]

I think once the main trunk line is built in KCMO, that KCMO should build feeder lines just to State line and stop. Say along 39th Street to KU Med Center.  Then Wyandotte County and Johnson County can link up to the KCMO system, and decide to buy into the Metro Plan or not. Another feeder line from Union Station to State Line Road in the West Bottoms--say around Kemper Arena and Stockyards Exchange.

39th Street makes sense to have a crosstown line.  It could eventually run to the stadiums and Independence.

[chingon]

Why would we ever even want to run a light rail line to TSC? It is one of the weirdest recurring themes on this board.

[QueSi2Opie]

Why would we ever even want to run a light rail line to TSC? It is one of the weirdest recurring themes on this board.

Not that any of this belongs in Shitterbahn's topic, but the reason to have a line stop at TSC is because it could also run to Independence and Blue Springs.

Believe it or not, the only time I see JoCoer's ride the bus is prior to a Chiefs game where multiple buses load up in the Rosanna Square parking lot on 119th & Metcalf.

Anyhow, starter line running north to south.

[KC0KEK]

Why would we ever even want to run a light rail line to TSC? It is one of the weirdest recurring themes on this board.

Because the right of way still exists (correct me if I'm wrong) even though the trackage was removed years ago and because you can use the TSC lots for a park and ride. The latter assumes that by the time the line is open, parking downtown and I-70 both will be so bad that people won't just drive the rest of the way.

[aknowledgeableperson]

akp, your posts are becoming so damn predictable.  Can you not post anything with any real insight anymore rather than the obvious??

Developments go through cycles, as do areas of a city.  Congrats.

Well, my post was in response to FANG and he has said the same thing a few times also but since you side with him I guess you choose to ignore his repetitive posts.  Oh, and don't forget your repetitive posts concerning KS.

[FangKC]

Given what happened to KC downtown starting 50 years or so ago people could end up getting tired of it also.  No area can be immune to that.  So give us a new argument.

Do you have a crystal ball that tells you that KC downtown will be the place to be 20 years from now?  The current 20 and 30 somethings will be 20 years older and their interests will change.  And the 20 and 30 somethings at that time just might not care one iota about downtown living and entertainment.  Who knows, KC Live could end up being a bust and become part of some urban renewal district at that timeframe.

Could the speedway/VW area be a bust.  Yes.  But it could also become like an Orlando, or Anaheim and just thrive and the tourist business.  

My premise is based on my study of cities.  Old ones. New Ones.

Downtown is quite a different animal that VW.   Downtown has been the center of government and business since the 1870s. It may have its ups and downs, but it's never stopped being the core center of the city.  VW is a retail and amusement area.  As I stated with my comparisons to the malls and theme parks, many of them have come and gone.

Downtown has a distinct advantage over Village West in that its the center of city, county, state and federal government and will probably continue to be.  It also has a centralized and concentrated district of large office buildings that will not be abandoned just because too much is invested in them.

If Kansas City is still here in 100 years, downtown will still be as well.  Village West?  That I don't know. In 100 years it may become that era's version of a trailer park.  Or grown up in weeds like Fairyland Park.  It could be Chestnut and Rochester in the East Bottoms.

[aknowledgeableperson]

Yes, areas have their ups and downs.  But as this area expands old areas can be reborn, much like downtown.  And given what the core looked like even a few years ago it wasn't much different than a trailer park with just a few new trailers amongst the old ones.

[FangKC]

Now you are being ridiculous.

[aknowledgeableperson]

Downtown is quite a different animal that VW.   Downtown has been the center of government and business since the 1870s. It may have its ups and downs, but it's never stopped being the core center of the city.  VW is a retail and amusement area.  As I stated with my comparisons to the malls and theme parks, many of them have come and gone.

Downtown has a distinct advantage over Village West in that its the center of city, county, state and federal government and will probably continue to be.  It also has a centralized and concentrated district of large office buildings that will not be abandoned just because too much is invested in them.

If you look at KC's downtown area it has changed maybe more than you think.

There was much industry located in the downtown core and crossroads.  Garment District got it's name from what?  And where is that industry now?  Downtown was big in retail.  How much retail is in downtown now?  Where are Macy's, Jones, Palace businesses and stores now?  Before they became lofts and apartments what were those buildings before the conversions?  Offices or industrial that were vacated.  And how long were many of them empty?  How long were some of the other buildings empty before being torn down or restored and converted?  Vacant lots once had buildings and are now parking lots.  How many empty buildings are still around in the area called downtown.  How many people lived in what is now called downtown in the 30's?  And now? How long was the bank building empty before it became a library?
Yes, downtown now is big on government but it was not that way in the 30's, at least not until Pendergast built many of the buildings in the 30's, such as City Hall, County Courthouse, and Police HQ.  And in recent years the City's Water and Parks Depts have left downtown and CH probably has fewer employees in it than it did in the 50's and 60's.

Yes, other malls and amusement areas have come and gone but many are not vacant grounds now.  Yeah, VW may change over the years, like downtown, but that does not mean that it will be a ghost town 50 years from now. 

[FangKC]

Higher likelihood though. I'm betting on downtown in the long-run.

[KCMax]

Schlitterbahn Waterparks aims for the sky with new KCK attraction

Schlitterbahn Waterparks today will announce a new attraction —a skydive simulator called Skyventure— for the $750 million resort in western Kansas City, Kan. Multiple fans inside a clear cylinder will create an airflow to keep willing guests aloft.

“This will be the only one of its kind in the Midwest,” said spokesman Jeffrey Siebert.

[jj116533]

What's the news on this project how is it progressing?

[LenexatoKCMO]

What's the news on this project how is it progressing?

They need a Schlitterbahn construction web cam. 

[kcdcchef]

They need a Schlitterbahn construction web cam. 

you must enjoy looking at a muddy field.

[MidtownCat]

I can't figure out what side of the fence the chef is on with this project.

He should really weigh in more often on it.

[rhine]

Anybody want an excuse to go to Dave and Busters next week?
Per their website, it looks like they are offering an open RSVP and announcing tenants there... 10 am, March 6.