Predict the "new" downtown complaints

[KCPowercat]

I hate to be negative but I thought this would be a good time for everybody to predict what the complaints will be concerning the Power and Light District/Sprint Center/etc. from the general population.  I've got my guesses but don't want to influence the voting, so let's hear them.....

what will be the biggest complaint concerning the P&L, Sprint Center, "renewed downtown"?

[kcmetro]

what will be the biggest complaint concerning the P&L, Sprint Center, "renewed downtown"?

It's too far from where I live.

There isn't anywhere to park.

I'm worried about getting mugged by thugs.

The Sprint Center looks weird.

I don't want to drive that far back home while drunk.

(These aren't my opinions....just guessing what some suburbanites might say)

[KCLover]

Some of the silly surburbanites won't come downtown because they swear it's the heart of the ghetto.

It will take someone of their own kind to step up and tell them that they are clearly wrong. 
Hopefully the police will make a presence, because all it will take is 2 or 3 shootings and that will scare a good percentage of the joco's off and they won't come back.

[chingon]

"It's just like the Plaza, only ugly."
"Too many yuppies."

[tat2kc]

Too many rednecks

Its a fake environment.

Too many minorities.

Its all chains

Its too suburban looking.

Its not gritty enough

too many yuppies, not enough urbanites dressed in black looking down on the other visitors.

[DaveKCMO]

#1 will be parking, without question. #2 will be panhandling.

[KC-wildcat]

Here's a quote from a guy over on a KSU board...

"Downtown KCMO has made some major improvements, but there is still a long way to go.  There are still a number of buildings and sidewalks that need to be culled and replaced.  Parking, no matter what you read is going to be a mess.  Traffic is horrible.  The designers of the Light District made a huge mistake when they did not shut down the streets.  They used an East Coast design where they left traffic lanes designed in the 1800s for horses at the same exact dimensions.  My prediction is the Light District will follow Union Station, Science City, WWI Memorial, River Quay, River Front Park, etc. as failures.  The Sprint Center will only thrive if they can get an NBA or NHL team."

He goes on to say, "have you seen The Light District?  I looks like it was designed by Paul Revere?  They took 4 square blocks and had the opportunity to do something with pedistrian and traffic flow.  They chose to make it look like a Boston or Philadelphia traffic jam.The reality of the project is the Mayor of Kansas City, Mr Funky, is already saying it is a finacial sham.  Now if you do not think the Light District will be a traffic and parking nightmare then we will just have to agree to disagree.  Compare the Legends/Speedway, which is designed by Midwestern people to the Light District which comes with an East Coast mentality."

Well, there you have it. 

[Pork Chop]

I believe it's more of a suburban mentality vs. an urban one than a Midwestern mentality vs. an East Coast one. The guy needs to travel to different cities throughout the U.S. and the world for that matter.

Here's a quote from a guy over on a KSU board...

"Downtown KCMO has made some major improvements, but there is still a long way to go.  There are still a number of buildings and sidewalks that need to be culled and replaced.  Parking, no matter what you read is going to be a mess.  Traffic is horrible.  The designers of the Light District made a huge mistake when they did not shut down the streets.  They used an East Coast design where they left traffic lanes designed in the 1800s for horses at the same exact dimensions.  My prediction is the Light District will follow Union Station, Science City, WWI Memorial, River Quay, River Front Park, etc. as failures.  The Sprint Center will only thrive if they can get an NBA or NHL team."

He goes on to say, "have you seen The Light District?  I looks like it was designed by Paul Revere?  They took 4 square blocks and had the opportunity to do something with pedistrian and traffic flow.  They chose to make it look like a Boston or Philadelphia traffic jam.The reality of the project is the Mayor of Kansas City, Mr Funky, is already saying it is a finacial sham.  Now if you do not think the Light District will be a traffic and parking nightmare then we will just have to agree to disagree.  Compare the Legends/Speedway, which is designed by Midwestern people to the Light District which comes with an East Coast mentality."

Well, there you have it. 

[DaveKCMO]

legends/speedway was "designed"? i prefer terms like "duct taped" or "shat out".

[ComandanteCero]

well, from the times i've been driving around downtown when there is a big event (even if it's a big event in the River Market), I think all the traffic directions need to be clearly and brightly marked.  Way too many people don't know how to drive in an urban environment (i.e looking for the already present signs so you know what your situation is), instead they treat the normally empty streets like just one really big parking lot, where they make the assumption that there is some flexibility in the traffic rules.

Whenever I'm downtown and I see people calmly going down the wrong way on a one way street, or all of a sudden crossing three lanes to try to make a  left turn, or just completely blowing a traffic light, or any number of "wtf" maneuvers I know there's a big event in or near the loop. (edit: I saw all three moves last night while going through the loop, and had to brake to avoid personal injury for each of them.  All while going on Walnut!)

I think the first couple of weeks of the P+L District, there need to be extra signs (even if they are temporary) just so people don't behave like complete twats.  The Plaza isn't any less "complex" than the area in and around the P+L district (in fact it's probably more so), but it'll take people some time to become accustomed.

[AllThingsKC]

Here are some of the complaints I've started to get:

Not enough parking spots close by to anything good.

We have to walk too many blocks to get to anywhere cool.

Too many people.

Not enough people.

Too many one way streets.

I don't want to get shot.

The Plaza is much nicer.

The Sprint Center won't be used often enough. - No anchor tenant

The new shops, bars, and restaurants will be too expensive.

I won't support the Sprint Center because it will raise my property tax.

I won't support the Sprint Center because I have to rent cars often.

Kemper didn't improve the West Bottoms, the TSC didn't improve that area.  So, why would the Sprint Center help downtown?

What happens in 30 years when it's time to replace the Sprint Center?

Only the P&L District will be nice, but you have to go through the crap neighborhoods to get there.

And finally..... 

I can't get there from the suburbs because there's no light rail!

[jlbomega]

Suburbanites will not disown the Plaza because:

1) the Plaza already has everything they need
2) they know the Plaza is successful
3) they will not get mugged on the Plaza
4) parking is free and plentiful on on the Plaza

The P&L will be more of a tourist attraction and I strongly believe young professionals will adopt P&L as the new place to "see and be seen."  Suburbanites will mostly shy away unless Phil Collins is playing the Sprint Center 

[Gladstoner]

"P&L is so crowded, nobody goes there anymore."

[bahua]

"It's not on Broadway, so I can't find it."

[anniewarbucks]

"Come on guys is this all you got"

"Traffic around there is the wost I Saw in my entire life"

"Why does this city have three major gymnasiums within three miles of each other"

In all honesty, though, I myself have no complaints Just praise of the whole development.

[eliphar17]

Parking, #1, no question. All that needs to be said.

[Paintfumes]

1. parking prices are too high
2. too many bars
3. I almost got run over while walking in the crosswallk
4. more lighted street signs
5. why is there a big arse billboard in the middle of  downtown, Kansas City ( did DNA protest this? )
6. condo owners spitting from their balcony on passerby's
7. everytime an event is let out massive traffic jam
8. I called the police 30 minutes ago
9. its dangerous by the JE Dunn building
10. they need more police out here
11. not enough eateries
12. need a grocery store other than "sun fresh" , prices too high
13. too many dead birds on the sidewalks
14. where's the trolley
15. walking 3 to 4 blocks to the Sprint Arena is too far

[MidtownCat]

Complaints in this order:

3.  Traffic

2.  Parking
 
1.  Paul Revere

[shinatoo]

Here's a quote from a guy over on a KSU board...

"Downtown KCMO has made some major improvements, but there is still a long way to go.  There are still a number of buildings and sidewalks that need to be culled and replaced.  Parking, no matter what you read is going to be a mess.  Traffic is horrible.  The designers of the Light District made a huge mistake when they did not shut down the streets.  They used an East Coast design where they left traffic lanes designed in the 1800s for horses at the same exact dimensions.  My prediction is the Light District will follow Union Station, Science City, WWI Memorial, River Quay, River Front Park, etc. as failures.  The Sprint Center will only thrive if they can get an NBA or NHL team."

He goes on to say, "have you seen The Light District?  I looks like it was designed by Paul Revere?  They took 4 square blocks and had the opportunity to do something with pedistrian and traffic flow.  They chose to make it look like a Boston or Philadelphia traffic jam.The reality of the project is the Mayor of Kansas City, Mr Funky, is already saying it is a finacial sham.  Now if you do not think the Light District will be a traffic and parking nightmare then we will just have to agree to disagree.  Compare the Legends/Speedway, which is designed by Midwestern people to the Light District which comes with an East Coast mentality."

Well, there you have it. 

Did he really say the WWI Memorial is a failure?

#1 Johnson county complaint, "Not enough Asian massage parlors". 

[KCKev]

#1 Future complant

There is just too much to do in a weekend!