By the way, in looking at the grant-winners, is anyone else disappointed the city didn't apply for money for the 20th Street Streetscape or Make Grand Grand projects? Those are both projects that, so far as we've heard, are planned to be paid for out of the general fund and are both much more shovel-ready than the streetcar project.

Why couldn't the city have put together an application that basically said, "Here's our little project. Here are the engineering plans. Here's a city council resolution authorizing our contribution. We're ready to go. Can we please have some TIGER money?" Because that what the USDOT asked for, and (surprise, surprise) that's what worked for Memphis, Birmingham, and Tampa.

So give us the Plan B Dave...I think you've posted it before but maybe a little refresher to calm the waters?

Higher taxes.

there are plans B, C, and D (and probably an E that no one has shared with me).

the final cost estimate will be known before the 2nd election is held. again, i suspect it will be lower than the original (pre-engineering) $101 million price tag. when ATA first started talking about this in 2009, their estimate was $69 million for the exact same scope; the TDD will raise $73 million.

it will the rest of the summer to finish engineering, finalize the TDD formation, and sort out all of the governance issues.

do not discount the fact that our only disqualifier was that we weren't far enough along. not one negative about merit. all of the items that weren't complete to the feds' wishes are in progress and not stopping.

I thought I remembered hearing no TIGER would mean 2015 couldn't be hit as a finish date....would that still be accurate?

a TIGER win made 2015 a possibility. unclear what the city will commit to now. if they get stuck with small starts, per the mayor's press release, that could add a year or two to that.

the first ballot has been cast. it's a yes, and it's mine.

i'll be on up to date at 11:30 today. either councilman johnson or the mayor will be on to discuss changes in the schedule. i should point out, however, that the TDD election is not at all affected by the TIGER grant outcome. if it passes, the TDD board will meet to conduct business in early august. shortly after that, someone will decide how/when to administer the 2nd election.

I talked sense into someone this am who was now wavering partly based on no tiger grant. explained what they are currently voting for. they were more worried about knowing how much it would cost. explained that's not what this election establishes

that is probably something many people are unclear on (even though it said it in the ballot language). Hopefully something the boosters are making sure everyone gets educated on. Dave-is it possible to see who actually will be voting on this so that they can be "targeted" with info. is that even allowed?

Shocker of the day. Business journal reports cordish could have opted out of paying into streetcar TDD due to the development agreement. They are not opting out and plan to pay their share.

If this doesn't tell people that business sees value in the streetcar not sure they could ever be convinced.

That or cordish has some motive...... I'm shocked though

motive: they got their gap financing for a residential tower easy peasy.

Win win for downtown

Anything in the house passed transportation bill that might help KC?

the only portion cordish could have opted out of is the sales tax, btw. they would still have to have paid the special assessments on property (and paid surface lots, which would apply to the lot that will become the new residential tower, as well as the 2 lots that front truman).

look for an ordinance in july to form the Kansas City Streetcar Authority, Inc., which will be the non-profit entity charged with operating the streetcar initially.

yes and no. TIGER grants are out, which is bad because that's the easy money. Small Starts is safe and funded at or near current levels, which is the stable money but takes longer to get. there are also a few "deregulation" items that might work out in our favor (at least cost-wise): (a) reduction in environmental requirements (aka NEPA) for projects in existing ROW and (b) relaxation of Buy America requirements (could make vehicles and rail cheaper... OMG CHINESE RAIL!). both changes will probably require some rule making, which can take awhile after a bill is signed into law.

the entire congress passed the bill this afternoon. i'm sure it will be rushed to the president tonight since the current bill expires tomorrow.

as of friday, 217 of 555 voters had returned their ballots. 23 days left...

Hey, let's build a streetcar!

http://vimeo.com/45462313

feel free to leave a comment: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/07/10/3699302/as-i-see-it-streetcar-plan-oversold.html

Whoa, who is that lady?