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| BY GREG WALTERS |
Is it safe?
Is it safe anywhere? I maintain it is much safer at Royals /Chiefs Stadium than it is in the Crossroads District.
Even that portion that buts up agains Crown Center. Another interesting point is the lack of room. A new stadium in the confined area of the southern boundary of the Crossroads (at Crown Center) would mean a much smaller stadium.
Goodbye to the magnificient Fountains in the outfield. Goodbye to tailgating in a large (safe) parking area adjoined to the stadium.
Say hello to expensive bars and nightclubs to drink. This discussion covers several of the most heated points in the ongoing stadium debate. The move from the expansive Truman Sports Complex to a more urban setting like the Crossroads District represents a fundamental shift in the Kansas City fan experience.
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| KAUFFMAN STADIUM HARRY S TRUMAN SPORTS COMPLEX |
Safety and Security
Fans often cite the "concrete moat" effect . . . controlled, gated environment where security is concentrated at entry points at Royals Stadium as a major safety advantage.
While the Crossroads location is generally considered safe for daytime activities like gallery hopping and dining, it is still in a public urban area.
While generally considered safe for daytime activities like gallery hopping and dining, it is a public urban area. Recent incidents, including shootings and at crowded events has fueled concerns about the district's ability to maintain safety during high-traffic night games compared to the private lots at "The K".
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| ONE OF THE PROPOSALS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR THE CROSSROADS |
Iconic Features: While the Royals have expressed a desire to keep some version of the famous fountains, the footprint is much more "confined to an area spanning only 17 to 18 acres between Grand Boulevard and Locust Street.
Parking/Tailgating Culture
The Loss of the Tailgate: The proposed plan relies on roughly 40,000 existing parking spaces scattered throughout the downtown area rather than a single, massive adjoining lot.
New Norms: About 1,500 new on-site spaces would be built. This shift essentially moves the pre-game experience from personal grills and coolers in a "large (safe) parking area" to the district's bars, restaurants, and nightclubs—a move critics argue is designed to maximize commercial spending.
Economic Motivations
The "Benjamins": The project is estimated at $2 billion, with the Royals ownership group pledging over $1 billion in private funding. The location choice was heavily influenced by "neighborhood connectivity," which is often code for capturing more consumer dollars before and after the game.
While it is true the area of Kansas City stretching from the Missouri River to Crown Center does have many entertainment venues, most notably the KC Streetcar will keep the area crowded. How many will attend a baseball game? Do you think the convenience of the KC Streetcar and downtown proximity could outweigh the loss of traditional tailgating for the average Royals fan? Still, it is a culture that began at Royals Stadium and is loved by baseball fans in Kansas City.
USE THIS LINK TO Comment AND VIEW COMMENTS
USE THE FOLLOWING LINK TO VIEW THE VIDEO OF THE JANUARY 30TH MEETING OF THE RAYTOWN BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
https://raytownmo.new.swagit.com/videos/372731
What Impact can Raytown expect from the
World Cup Tournament next July?
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| BY GREG WALTERS |
Those games will be played at the home of the Kansas City Chiefs, Arrowhead Stadium. Five games will be played between June 16th through July 11th.
As one can imagine, the World Cup being held so close to Raytown’s borders will definitely have an impact on our city.
The Kansas City Metropolitan area only has 36,000 hotel rooms. Tournament officials anticipate 650,000 guests to the Kansas City area in the one month of games played at Arrowhead Stadium.
Some of those traveling from countries across the world will not be staying in hotels. A significant number of them will bring a tent and make for shelter while in the United States.
This is expected to be most notable in cities surrounding the Harry S Truman Sports Complex.
It is important to remember Parking will not be allowed at the parking lots at the Truman Sports Complex during the World Cup games.
Those cities surrounding Arrowhead Stadium are expected to be witness to this overflow of fans looking for a place to stay and park their vehicles during games.
Jackson County Parks officials have voiced concern of people setting up their base camp along the Rock Island Bicycle and Walking Trail. The northern terminus of the trail is located at the Sports Complex near the Chiefs Stadium.
From there it crosses the City of Raytown south along Raytown Trafficway and then southwest diagonally across Raytown to the intersection of Noland Road and 350 Highway. From there it stretches across Lee’s Summit west for a total of 13.6 miles.
The trail has been a popular location or homeless to set up their camps. Jackson County Park officials have expressed concern the practice may increase during the one month of World Cup games.
The Raytown Park Department plans to use the Terry Copeland Dog Park as a parking location for fans to park their vehicles.
Park Board member have recognized there may be an influx of visitors looking for a place to park their cars during World Cup games.
- Terry Copeland Dog Park is located one mile from the Truman Sports Complex. The park has 200 parking spaces on its property.
- Colman Park is located within 1.5 miles from the Truman Sports Complex. It also has 200 parking spaces at its location. According to Park Board Director Dave Turner a final decision has not been reached on whether or not to use Colman Park as a parking location for the tournament.
The Park Board’s intention is to use the parking revenue to pay for an increase of the number of security personnel at Raytown Parks during the month of July.
In our view, the Park Board deserves recognition for taking a proactive approach to addressing the increased number of Raytown visitors during the World Cup Games in Kansas City.
There was much more said during the Aldermen meeting. Most interesting were remarks by Raytown Police Chief Bob Kuehl addressing the Police Departments plans for enforcement of City Ordinances during the World Cup games.
We urge you to view the following video to view what transpired at the meeting.
USE THIS LINK TO Comment AND VIEW COMMENTS
USE THE FOLLOWING LINK TO VIEW THE VIDEO OF THE JANUARY 30TH MEETING OF THE RAYTOWN BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
https://raytownmo.new.swagit.com/videos/372731
16 comments:
I'm confused again. According to google, Truman sports complex covers 327 acres. I'm guessing about half of that area is parking lot. But there won't be any parking allowed there.
I'll use the link to watch the alderman's meeting, but I'll wait until after the 30th.
The Tax Poem
Tax his land, Tax his bed, Tax the table at which he's fed.
Tax his tractor, Tax his mule, Teach him taxes are the rule.
Tax his work, Tax his pay, He works for peanuts anyway!
Tax his cow, Tax his goat, Tax his pants, Tax his coat. Tax his ties, Tax his shirt, Tax his work, Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco, Tax his drink, Tax him if he tries to think.
Tax his cigars, Tax his beers, If he cries tax his tears.
Tax his car, Tax his gas, Find other ways to tax his ass.
Tax all he has, Then let him know, That you won't be done till he has no dough.
When he screams and hollers, Then tax him some more, Tax him till he's good and sore.
Then tax his coffin, Tax his grave, Tax the sod in which he's laid.
Put these words Upon his tomb, 'Taxes drove me to my doom...'
When he's gone, Do not relax, Its time to apply the inheritance tax.
TAXMAN by the Beatles lyrics by George Harrison
Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
Should five percent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
I'll tax the street
(If you try to sit, sit) I'll tax your seat
(If you get too cold, cold) I'll tax the heat
(If you take a walk, walk) I'll tax your feet
(Taxman)
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
Don't ask me what I want it for
(Ah, ah, Mr. Wilson)
If you don't want to pay some more
(Ah, ah, Mr. Heath)
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
Now my advice for those who die (taxman)
Declare the pennies on your eyes (taxman)
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
And you're working for no one but me (taxman)
Your tax poem is cute. Cut and paste is fun! In reality I don't mind paying taxes- it's what they're being used for that bugs me.
Taxes are necessary evil, often sing this way because of the broken promises and lack of transparency from the governing body.
This lack of trust was a topic this weekend when channel 9 interviewed the new mayor of the unified Government of wy county.
The point she kept bringing up was we need to restore trust with the people she was right on target.
Our very own Mayor needs to take note as the lack of trust the people of Raytown have with him and the city thanks to his self-serving and miss guiding ways.
Just watch any of the board of aldermen meetings over where the past 6 months if the mayor is not attacking one of our aldermen he tries to cause confrontation with those that come before the board to speak.
Simply put in Raytown, it is the mayor's way or there is no way so much for democracy and the freedoms that we as Americans enjoy.
Who else remembers when the voters said no on the mayors tax initiatives he decided to put it immediately again on the next ballot. He likes to always say don't blame me the alderman but mister mayor we all know again if you don't get your way you have a meltdown.
This is the same mayor that always says follow the process except for when it benefits his agenda which is why now the citizens ward 3 only have one alderman.
As a former police officer he forgets something called do process; this allows the accused the opportunity to tell their side of the story. However, in this case as was on the news the mayor made a decision based on a letter to immediately remove an alderman, no due process, no review of evidence, and no input from the members of the board.
Again this is America or at least the last time I checked it was so the mayor of Raytown needs to get in step. This mean to either eebuilding the trust of the citizens, or do the honorable thing by resigning for failing his fellow citizens.
I just saw an article about a proposed ordinance in Kansas City that would prohibit the sale of alcohol in quantities of 7 ounces or less. This would include half pints and "shooters." What a great idea!
Also, about the "missing" alderman, I can't believe that none of the local news hounds have not shown more interest.
Sometimes a little light is all it takes to get the roaches to scatter.
Could someone let me know if our city now allows parking on the grass? I found out several years ago the hard way not to park on the grass. Although several people around my residence parked on the grass the city very harshly gave me 7 days to permanently correct my parking strategies. Today I noticed on the North side of 65th Street between Lane and Laural all but 2 houses had multiple vehicles in the grass. I normally would look the otherway, and not say anything. However, why have the police or code not corrected the problem I mentioned when several years ago I got educated on where I could park. Sounds like either the law has changed or I was misinformed by the city.
Local news stations are reporting other cities in the metro are starting to launch cleanup operations to give their city a fresh clean welcome appearance to those who will be coming to the metro to attend the world cup. It was about a month ago one of Raytown's Alderman verbally attacked the general public because the public is saying Raytown is not doing anything. It is time the Alderman put words into action and demand the codes enforcement start doing their jobs. Let the first detail focus be on proper enclosed areas for dumpster, or is that getting to personal for those at city hall like this same Alderman. The taxpayers are continuously told about the great professionals who work for the city; so why don't we see the positive results of this superior group of professionals.
Interesting comments! Here is my reply to a couple of my favorites. To the person who wrote they do not mind paying taxes. Good for them. But you should keep in mind there are many who may not have the resources to pay the high taxes we are already paying. Even with the 15% reduction on our homes most of us are still hurting from the outrageous property taxes in jackson county.
I saw on the news the other night that the KCMO Mayor is ready to build a new baseball stadium downtown. This is a bad idea. No parking = no tailgating! The real question to be considered is it SAFE down there? It was a few years ago a small war was fought when the Chiefs won the Super Bowl. One dead, and quite a few injured. Despite all the big buildings, that part of town is NOT SAFE.
Just for the record, I'm the guy who doesn't mind paying taxes. With that said, you make a couple of good points. I agree that the property tax increases from a couple of years ago were ridiculous, poorly executed, and applied in a haphazard manner; perhaps illegally. I would also prefer to not pay taxes as a means to help billionaires fund a stadium that I really can't afford to attend. I love baseball and the royals but I can support pro sports as a spectator, if I choose to do so, on my terms. I would vote against any of my tax dollars being used to help reduce the capital expenses of the ownership group which includes David Glass and Patrick Mahomes.
As far as safety is concerned, I just read about a shooting yesterday, just down the street from south high school.
I also read recently that the Raytown/Ray-south basketball game was cancelled as a response to some after school brawl. I appreciate your concern about safety, but to me "...is it SAFE down there?" sounds a little hollow. Is it safe anywhere?
How much wasted money is the mayor going to cost us for his mismanagement of the ward 3 alderman?
What is with the Mayor's face expression when a specific Alderman speaks? It looks like he is getting a prostate exam. It looks juvenile. Just watch the meetings and pain he appears to be in.
This mess with the Ward III Alderman and the constant disrespect of others; it is very clear…Do not get on the mayor’s bad side. Yeah, the Mayor preaches a good sermon about love for thy neighbor, etc., but he does not follow his own words. He needs not seek another term and instead, join the “stay off my lawn” crowd.
The last comment is interesting. I attended last night's meeting of the Board of Aldermen. The big topic of the night was Ward 3 Alderman Latrice Brown Thomas and her possilbe impeachment. It was an interesting meeting. Most of the time was spent by the Board talking with the attorney the city has hired to manage an impeachment process aimed at Ms. Brown. I asked one of the members of the Board how much the lawyer was being paid for his work on the impeachment process. I was told the amuont was $30,000 (thirty thousand) dollars.
I don't know if he Mayor was making faces at Board members when they were speaking. Given some of his antics in the past I would not be surprised if it was not true.
The mayor is from the "good 'ol boy" network but he's way toned down from what used to happen if you disagreed with a mayor or in particular the Chief. You'd get a cop sitting in their patrol car in front of your house, just sitting there. A form of intimidation. Or the cop would tail you around town, etc.
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