Monday, August 12, 2013

MetroCenter Opens...A Great Step In The Right Direction

I'm baaaack....

Sorry about the long lag between posts. Wrapping up my duties at Rockhurst and finalizing the UG budget teamed up to take all of my free time these past couple of weeks.

However, both of those things are behind me now and I have tons and tons of blog material to send your way over the next few weeks. (I know, I know... you've heard it all before... but this time it's true... honest).

This past Friday (August 9) was a special day in our downtown. It's the day that UG and KCK representatives cut the ribbon and officially opened the Downtown KCK Connex MetroCenter at 7th and Minnesota (see a Special Edition of UG News for all the details).

Here's a view looking northwest at the transit center
and the intersection at 7th and Minnesota. Very impressive.
(Click any photo to enlarge for a better view).
Unfortunately, I was out of town on Friday at a meeting with the staff of a Community Development Corporation in Philadelphia (more about that in another blog), so I wandered down yesterday afternoon and saw it for myself. Wow! Very, very impressive.

The new MetroCenter is absolutely gorgeous. Located on the southeast corner of 7th Street and Minnesota Avenue, it will serve as the major eastern terminal of the State Avenue Connex bus line. It will also provide one spot where buses from KCATA, The JO and the UG transportation system are all available to riders. It's a significant step forward in the UG's commitment to improving public transportation in Wyandotte County.

We have heard loud and clear from citizens during the last two budget cycles that they desire and value a better public transportation system. The MetroCenter is a great step in that direction. Here are several pictures so that those of you who didn't have the opportunity to visit on Friday can appreciate the positive impact it makes in downtown.

Looking northeast from the south entrance to the MetroCenter.
A protected bus lane runs diagonally from 7th Street to Minnesota Avenue.
A new retaining wall marks the edge of the Huron Indian Cemetery.
Another view looking northeast from the south entrance to the MetroCenter.
Bike racks and comfortable benches enhance the new passenger shelters.
New signs at every stop have a map of the entire route along with
route schedules and real-time arrival updates on a digital display board.
The fully restored and functional Winkler clock
is a magnificent centerpiece for the MetroCenter.

Improvements around the MetroCenter include new street pavement
along with new curbs, sidewalks, traffic signals and beautiful landscaping.

The new landscaping includes safer and more visible crosswalks
a half block away from the transit center.

But not so fast... it's not all cookies and milk... with the opening of the new MetroCenter, I believe we have officially challenged ourselves to take care of unfinished business in the downtown. The MetroCenter is a FANTASTIC addition to our downtown and it's a great step in the right direction, but it's only one of many steps that I believer we need to take if we are truly committed to building the best downtown possible.

In the past couple of months I have had the opportunity to use two great light rail public transportation systems: the Trolley in San Diego and the subway / "el" system in Philadelphia. In each city I was able to easily and affordably travel long distances without the need for a car. This ease of travel greatly enhanced my stay in those two cities by giving me easy access to business meetings along with hotels, shopping centers and restaurants.

My experiences in those two cities tell me that our work is not done in downtown KCK.

First, I believe we still need to extend the street and sidewalk improvements in all directions away from the MetroCenter. The MetroCenter is located at the intersection of 7th and Minnesota, but the street and sidewalk improvements associated with it only stretch about a half block in each direction away from that intersection (as shown on the map below). Improved infrastructure will not only look better to residents and visitors, it should also help reduce our maintenance and repair efforts in the downtown.

This Google map shows Minnesota Avenue from 6th Street (far right)
to 8th Street (far left). The MetroCenter is located at the yellow dot
and the related street/sidewalk improvements only extend as far as the red lines.
Here's where the pavement transitions from new to old
at a point near the KCK Chamber of Commerce building
(west of the MetroCenter).
New streetlights at 7th and Minnesota...
...don't match those just a few yards further west...
...which don't match those a block further away.

Second, and just as important, I believe we need to increase the density and availability of quality, affordable housing in and around the downtown so that there is a "critical mass" of people for promoting higher public transportation ridership along with increased commercial and business development.

Third, I believe we need to increase the density and variety of office space and commercial business space in and around the downtown. In both San Diego and Philadelphia, I was able to get to great hotels, offices, restaurants and retail merchants within just a few blocks of the public transportation lines.

It definitely won't be easy. Money is tighter than ever and we'll be challenged at every step along the way. However, I believe that, if we value an improved downtown, we can continue to build powerful public/private partnerships to create a stronger, more vibrant and more prosperous community.

Here are my questions for you today:

Do you believe we should continue to develop the State and Minnesota Avenue "corridors" through our downtown?

If so, what features or amenities are important to you (e.g., streets, sidewalks, public transportation, parks, benches, housing, businesses, etc.)?

Feel free to click the links below to send me an email or drop an anonymous note in my suggestion box I'd love to hear your ideas. Have a great week.


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