Sep

17

Silver lining in loss of Wizards soccer stadium?

September 17, 2009 | 3 Comments

The Pitch’s David Martin has an excellent article behind the scenes of the Wizards stadium loss to KCK and earlier efforts to redevelop Bannister Mall. The story mentions a transit-oriented, neo-traditional, mixed-use neighborhood proposal that the city passed over in favor of the high-risk, suburban-style stadium/strip mall/office park combination. If that opportunity had been seized, the site might already be home to a real neighborhood of homes, shops, restaurants, offices, parks, etc.

Perhaps the loss of the stadium has a silver lining. The city couldn’t really afford it.  It would have combined the riskiest financial aspects of the Power & Light District and Citadel Plaza schemes.  Besides, the original neighborhood plan probably has more long term benefits for southern Kansas City anyway.  So the question now becomes twofold – will the city be willing to revisit their plan and raise the bar, and can developers still be found during this Great Recession?

Pitch: The tragic story of how Kansas City leaders, blinded by the Wizards’ pro-sports glamour project, turned their backs on an idea that might actually have saved Bannister Mall

Categories: Business, City Council, Real Estate, Sports


Comments

3 Comments so far

  1. Craig on September 17, 2009 9:35 pm

    It’s also the story of how political connections count for way more than the merit of one’s ideas. Lou Austin used to be connected. Alvin Brooks was his friend on the City Council. So, Lou’s New Urbanist ideas got a lot of support. Then, in 2007, Alvin left the Council and now the new representatives for the Bannister Mall area don’t count Lou in their inner circles. Councilman John Sharp, who takes pettiness to a level rarely seen even in local politics, doesn’t even talk to him.

  2. john on September 18, 2009 8:19 am

    Sadly, Craig is right. The Ausin/Sharp feud is terrible for south KC. There is a shortage of capable and willing leaders, so it’s even more important that they work together instead of fight amongst themselves.

  3. Joe Medley on September 23, 2009 6:43 pm

    I’ve heard that rumor too, from someone inside City Hall.

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

Speak your mind