I read your comment on the Strong Towns blog. I know people there interpreted my comments as condescending and rude. That's fine. I'll admit I didn't soft pedal my approach in an attempt to make friends. Even before I arrived, that was a very small minded conversation and, while I may have misinterpreted the person who said parking was the problem (did not realize that was a joke -- it fit with everything else being said), there was no misinterpreting the narrow-minded comments of the others.

I think things could have gone better if people had taken me up on my two challenges. Instead, everyone flipped out. It has left a bad taste in my mouth, for sure, and while I may have come across as condescending, I was not anywhere near in tone the level of many in that group.

My initial critique was (a) obvious and (b) mild. The reaction I have received from many corners of KC (not just that site) speaks to a deep level of insecurity that I have a hard time understanding. If the leaders and activists of a community are that hyper-sensitive to a mild critique and a challenge to defend their flippant statements, how are you ever going to look critically at yourself? That downtown is not a great place -- not by a long stretch. If KC is going to turn it around within a generation, you are going to need some really deep introspection, far beyond anything I have provided.

How is that going to happen?

-Chuck

The criticism from KC, however, wasn't from the blissfully unaware but from the should-know-better crowd. Those advocating for a rail line (seriously?), touting the great Power and Light District and generally lauding how great and walkable downtown KC is ripped into me on numerous local websites. My analysis was dismissed as being from an ignorant out of towner and my prescription for KC's woes was laughed at as "crazy". The more generous among them suggested that I "may have a point" but that I should understand that "they are trying" and I should try to build more bridges than just lob critiques. It was all very weird, as if I were the best man at their wedding and had brought up the family's pedophile uncle during my toast. Some things should not be spoken, Chuck.

So my return to KC prompted me to circle back to this dialog for two reasons.

First, I want them to get their heads out of their posteriors, stop pretending that their city is great, stop fantasizing about trains and big projects and start doing the little things. ...

Second, there are many, MANY, MANY American cities that suffer from similar delusions. If they look at Kansas City through the spotlight I am shining, they should see themselves glowing back.

I got that he's saying we have great road capacity. That's true.

Obviously those empty streets aren't a draw for businesses or residents or else they wouldn't be so empty.

The guy says he is looking at downtown traffic at 4:30 on a Friday. Well, at just past the 3:00 mark the bank clock says its just after 3:30. This guy has no credibility.

So, why is he talking to us? Please tell me that someone isn't paying him to come here and I'd really be mad if my tax dollars were being spent to pay for his drinks and strippers. Best to ignore this gnat. Done.

98 percent of roads in the Boston area were in fact below traffic capacity, while just 2 percent of roads had more cars on them than they could handle,

interesting related piece about road use in Boston, which of course has a good transit system

http://arstechnica.com/information-tech ... ams-start/



sounds like having empty roads is quite the norm for any city, even at the busiest time of the day