Finally, some sensible commentary from the star
Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:06 am
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascit ... 920657.htm
COMMENTARYLet’s not settle for another refurbishmentBy JOE DONNELLYGuest ColumnistVision: unusual competence in discernment or perception; intelligent foresight.
This is one definition of the word vision. Over the years our city has been led by men and women of great vision. They have come from the private, public and religious sectors.
In recent years, however, our leaders have lost their sense of vision. They’ve lost their stomach for making hard choices, which has resulted in a floundering downtown and an exodus to the suburbs.
Here are a few examples of that lack of vision:
■ Kemper Arena. Built on cheap land in the wrong place. What growth did Kemper spur in the West Bottoms? Nothing. No hotels, restaurants or jobs.
Finished in 1974 at a cost of $22 million, it became obsolete in the early 1990s.
Rather than fixing the bigger problem and relocating the arena, the city spent $24 million to refurbish it. What did this return to Kansas City? 2,000 extra seats. How many times since 1997 have those seats been full? How much additional tax revenue did they generate? How many jobs did they create?
■ Truman Sports Complex. Built on cheap land in the wrong place. Beautiful stadiums? Without question. What growth has this facility spurred? With the exception of the former Adam’s Mark hotel, nothing. Outside the sports complex, very few jobs or tax revenue has been generated for Jackson County. Where are the restaurants, bars and souvenir shops? Where are the jobs?
Now let’s consider what the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority is asking the citizens of Jackson County to do: refurbish Kauffman Stadium at a cost of $220 million. What purpose does this serve in the long run? It provides the Royals with a wonderful baseball facility and allows owner David Glass the opportunity to earn more revenue, which hopefully will translate into a competitive team.
But the more important question is: Who reaps the financial rewards of this investment besides David Glass? No one. Some say commercial development is being considered for the area surrounding the stadium. Where has that idea been since 1972?
Now let’s dream for a moment. Think about spending $350 million to $450 million and moving the baseball stadium downtown. Build it within walking distance of the Sprint Center, the Power & Light District and the Metropolitan Performing Arts Center. Dream of 100 events a year at the Sprint Center, 75 events a year at the Performing Arts Center and 81 baseball games a year. Millions of new people coming downtown.
This translates into more hotels, more restaurants, more retail stores and, yes, maybe people moving back downtown. Grocery stores. Gas stations. Do we dare dream light rail? More hotel rooms may mean more conventions and greater utilization of Bartle Hall. It’s more tax revenue, more jobs and a stronger community.
To see what great vision can accomplish, we must only look to our west and marvel at the crossroads of Interstate 70 and Interstate 435. This is possible when the public and private sector work together for a common cause. Kansas Speedway is the foundation. Built on that foundation are Cabela’s, Nebraska Furniture Mart, hotels and restaurants. The return on investment of this effort is new jobs and new tax revenue for Wyandotte County for many years to come.
Our city and our community are capable of great things. The leaders of all of our communities must have the courage to look over the horizon and dream great dreams. We don’t need Band-Aids. We need leadership and solutions.
Our entire community is responsible for our future. The solution should not be borne by the Jackson County taxpayer alone. I live in Overland Park, and I am willing to spend my tax dollars for a vibrant downtown.
Let’s not settle for another “Kemper refurbishment.â€
COMMENTARYLet’s not settle for another refurbishmentBy JOE DONNELLYGuest ColumnistVision: unusual competence in discernment or perception; intelligent foresight.
This is one definition of the word vision. Over the years our city has been led by men and women of great vision. They have come from the private, public and religious sectors.
In recent years, however, our leaders have lost their sense of vision. They’ve lost their stomach for making hard choices, which has resulted in a floundering downtown and an exodus to the suburbs.
Here are a few examples of that lack of vision:
■ Kemper Arena. Built on cheap land in the wrong place. What growth did Kemper spur in the West Bottoms? Nothing. No hotels, restaurants or jobs.
Finished in 1974 at a cost of $22 million, it became obsolete in the early 1990s.
Rather than fixing the bigger problem and relocating the arena, the city spent $24 million to refurbish it. What did this return to Kansas City? 2,000 extra seats. How many times since 1997 have those seats been full? How much additional tax revenue did they generate? How many jobs did they create?
■ Truman Sports Complex. Built on cheap land in the wrong place. Beautiful stadiums? Without question. What growth has this facility spurred? With the exception of the former Adam’s Mark hotel, nothing. Outside the sports complex, very few jobs or tax revenue has been generated for Jackson County. Where are the restaurants, bars and souvenir shops? Where are the jobs?
Now let’s consider what the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority is asking the citizens of Jackson County to do: refurbish Kauffman Stadium at a cost of $220 million. What purpose does this serve in the long run? It provides the Royals with a wonderful baseball facility and allows owner David Glass the opportunity to earn more revenue, which hopefully will translate into a competitive team.
But the more important question is: Who reaps the financial rewards of this investment besides David Glass? No one. Some say commercial development is being considered for the area surrounding the stadium. Where has that idea been since 1972?
Now let’s dream for a moment. Think about spending $350 million to $450 million and moving the baseball stadium downtown. Build it within walking distance of the Sprint Center, the Power & Light District and the Metropolitan Performing Arts Center. Dream of 100 events a year at the Sprint Center, 75 events a year at the Performing Arts Center and 81 baseball games a year. Millions of new people coming downtown.
This translates into more hotels, more restaurants, more retail stores and, yes, maybe people moving back downtown. Grocery stores. Gas stations. Do we dare dream light rail? More hotel rooms may mean more conventions and greater utilization of Bartle Hall. It’s more tax revenue, more jobs and a stronger community.
To see what great vision can accomplish, we must only look to our west and marvel at the crossroads of Interstate 70 and Interstate 435. This is possible when the public and private sector work together for a common cause. Kansas Speedway is the foundation. Built on that foundation are Cabela’s, Nebraska Furniture Mart, hotels and restaurants. The return on investment of this effort is new jobs and new tax revenue for Wyandotte County for many years to come.
Our city and our community are capable of great things. The leaders of all of our communities must have the courage to look over the horizon and dream great dreams. We don’t need Band-Aids. We need leadership and solutions.
Our entire community is responsible for our future. The solution should not be borne by the Jackson County taxpayer alone. I live in Overland Park, and I am willing to spend my tax dollars for a vibrant downtown.
Let’s not settle for another “Kemper refurbishment.â€