The Downtown Kansas City Streetcar project is a starter rail line for a regional transit system. The approved 2-mile Main Street alignment (River Market to Crown Center) is adjacent to downtown’s residential and job density, as well as all major investments. Previous plans failed for being too expensive or too complicated; this plan is focused where support is strong and innovative local funding can be leveraged with Federal money. A sleek and modern streetcar on rails has proven potential to take downtown to the next level… for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. Won’t you come along for the ride?

For more information and the latest updates about the KC Downtown Streetcar project, visit the official website at: www.kcstreetcar.org

 December 12, 2012 - Final vote announced...VICTORY!

December 2012/January 2013 - City begins vehicle procurement process.

Spring 2013 - Utility relocation begins.

2014 - Track construction begins.

Spring 2015 - We are riding the Streetcar!

• What is being proposed?
  
  Click here to view the proposed route map
  
  A modern streetcar line running along Main Street for two miles through Downtown Kansas City, connecting the River Market, Central Business District, Crossroads, and Crown Center.
  
  
• Why a streetcar? How is a modern streetcar different than light rail or a traditional streetcar?
  
  Click here for an example modern streetcar
  
  A modern streetcar functions as an urban circulator with more frequent stops and simpler stop design than light rail, which typically serves more regional destinations. Streetcars have smaller vehicle size and typically operate with mixed traffic. Modern streetcar systems are simpler to construct compared to light rail, requiring less infrastructure and time. Construction of streetcar lines is usually confined to the trackway and stop locations, and has a limited impact on surrounding sidewalks or streetscape character. A modern streetcar is different from historic trolleys: modern streetcar systems employ state of the art vehicles and amenities for a quiet, clean, and efficient ride. In Kansas City, level boarding will be utilized so you can walk straight from the station platform onto the vehicle without stepping up or down like you would do now with a bus.
  
  A wide range of studies and experience in other cities demonstrate that fixed rail investments like a streetcar spur new investment and development along the route in a way that bus transit does not. Fixed rail transit also attracts a broader pool of potential riders than buses. At the same time, modern streetcars are much less expensive that light rail, and create far fewer impacts from construction and operation.
  
  
• Haven’t we tried this before? What makes this time different?
  
  Kansas City has a long and frustrated history with transit, most recently culminating in November 2008 with the rejection of a citywide sales tax to fund a fourteen mile light rail proposal that extended from the Vivion Road and North Oak Trafficway to Bruce R. Watkins Roadway and 63rd Street. The proposal for a two mile modern streetcar line is different from past proposals because:
  
  It starts small. Rather than constructing a citywide system all at once, this proposal focuses on downtown, where potential ridership and support for transit is highest, with potential for expansion in the future. This streetcar project is the “show me” for the region that rail transit is achievable and can be successful, building support and paving the way for a more comprehensive transit system.
  
  It does not require a citywide vote. In addition to federal and state resources, local funding for the streetcar would come from a Transportation Development District along the proposed route, which requires approval only from those property owners who are located near the streetcar and would benefit. The proposal does not rely on a citywide sales tax and does not require a citywide vote.
  
  It can be constructed faster for less. A modern streetcar is much less expensive than previous light rail proposals. Streetcar projects tend to be smaller in scope and use less expensive vehicles and construction methods than full light rail. In addition to lower costs, a modern streetcar can be constructed relatively quickly with limited impacts on adjacent property owners. If funding is secured, it is expected that construction could begin as early as 2013 with operation beginning in 2015.
  
  
• Is it worth it?
  
  Streetcars do more than simply improve mobility. Streetcars are about fueling economic growth. By promoting development, raising property values, attracting businesses and residents, and helping to redefine our city, streetcars benefit everyone. Streetcars function as an urban amenity that increases vitality, commerce, and activity along the route. Support for the streetcar is an investment with demonstrated returns for residents, businesses, property owners, downtown as a whole, and the entire region. Benefits of the streetcar include:
  
  Attracting new resident and businesses. There is a growing body of research that indicates there is a large portion of the population that wants to live and work in walkable, urban areas. In recent years, a huge investment has been made in the revitalization of downtown, with ongoing efforts to increase the downtown residential population, and attract creative, high-tech, and other knowledge-based businesses that are positioned to sustain and enhance Kansas City’s economic vitality in the 21st century. The city’s success in economic development is dependent on its ability to attract and retain highly educated professional employees and entrepreneurs. Because knowledge-based companies and employees have flexibility in choosing where to locate, creating a downtown that provides a high quality of life with major urban amenities such as the streetcar is critical to the long-term success of downtown and the region.
  
  Improving quality of life. Streetcar transit allows people to live, work, and visit in an urban environment and make many of their daily trips conveniently without the use of an automobile, which will have a positive impact on air quality while simultaneously increase property values along its route. In addition to improving mobility, streetcars help to strengthen existing neighborhoods, enhance the unique character of an area, encourage high-density mixed use development along the route, and increase visibility and access to downtown businesses.
  
  Spurring new investment. The track record from streetcar projects around the country is clear: streetcars are a major catalyst for new development and investment along the route.
  
  Adding value to downtown properties. In city after city, rail transit is proven to add value for all types of property in the form of higher property values, lower vacancies, faster leasing, and premium rents. Even assuming a very conservative 5% increase in property values, it would take more than 37 years for the streetcar assessment to equal the value added by the project for the owner of a $200,000 residential unit.
  
  Click here to see case studies of how fixed rail has been adding value and spurring new development in other cities.
  
  
• How will it be funded?
  
  Click here for the TDD boundary map
  
  The proposed streetcar will be funded through a variety of federal, state, and local sources. The City is preparing a federal TIGER grant application for $25 million and estimates that federal funding will cover nearly 40% of the total project cost. Other federal funds, special low interest financing, and cost saving measures are also expected to reduce overall project cost.
  
  The City is also proposing the creation of a Transportation Development District (TDD) along the proposed streetcar route that generally encompasses the River Market, Downtown Loop, central portions of the Crossroads, and Crown Center. Within this boundary, special assessments would be applied to cover the portion of the project costs not covered through other federal, state, and City funds, as well as ongoing operation and maintenance. The revenue sources for the TDD break down as follows:
  
  
  • A 1% sales tax on sales within the TDD boundary
    
    
  • A special assessment on real estate within the TDD boundary, with the following maximum annual rates :
    
    
    • 48₵ for each $100 of assessed value for commercial property ($1,536 for each $1,000,000 of market value)
      
      
    • 70₵ for each $100 of assessed value for residential property ($133 for each $100,000 of market value)
      
      
    • $1.04 for each $100 of assessed value for property owned by the City (approximately $810,000 annually)
      
      
  • The proposed TDD rates take into account differing assessment rates for residential and commercial property to ensure that costs are spread equally.
    
    
  • A supplemental special assessment on surface pay parking lots within the TDD boundary (this does not include private lots or lots dedicated to residences and businesses). The rate is 15₵ per pay parking space.
    
    
  • There is a 40₵ cost for each $100 of assessed value for property with non-profit uses. However, because the first $300,000 of market value is excluded, most non-profits will have no streetcar costs.  There is also no streetcar assessment on market value greater than $50,000,000 for non-profit uses.
    
    
  • The City has committed to reducing the commercial assessment further by supplementing with other funds potentially such as downtown on-street parking revenues.
    
    

• What will it cost me?
  
  The most recent City estimates, based on state and federal funding that the project is likely to secure, amount to a maximum cost to residential property owners of $133 for every $100,000 dollars of value. For commercial property owners, the maximum figure is $1,536 for every $1,000,000 dollars of value.
  
  The cost for a particular property can be calculated using the below formula:
  
  
  • Residential: [Value of Property] x [.19 Assessment Rate] x [.0070 Proposed Tax Rate] = [Annual Cost]
    
    
  • Commercial: [Value of Property] x [.32 Assessment Rate] x [.0048 Proposed Tax Rate] = [Annual Cost]
    
    
• How does my share compare?
  
  Residential assessments amount to about 5% of the total project cost, with commercial assessment representing 20% of the total cost. By far, the greatest percentage of funding for the streetcar (38%) comes from federal transit funding that Kansas City has consistently failed to secure in the past, as well as City contributions. The residential and commercial investment helps to secure a much larger public contribution, in addition to providing long term financial and quality-of-life benefits for downtown resident and businesses.

• How much will it cost to ride?

        Nothing! No fare will be collected initially to build support and ridership.

• What’s going on with zoning changes?
  
  Click here for a map of the zoning changes
  
  Major public infrastructure investments, including fixed rail transit like streetcars, are proven catalysts for economic growth and development. The City is recently adopted zoning changes within a two-block radius of the proposed streetcar route to ensure that these areas are positioned to take full advantage of new development opportunities. These changes include the adoption of zoning districts that are tailored for dense, mixed-use urban development downtown, and the removal of mandatory off-street parking requirements for new businesses. Together, these zoning changes will help to remove barriers for new dense urban development along the streetcar route.
  
  
• What is next?
  
  Voting for the first leg is complete, but you can feel free to contact city leaders and thank them for their support and express your excitement for the project.  There are still extensions to be built in the future, so we don’t want to lose this momentum!  
  
  
  • Mayor Sly James
    http://www.kcmayor.org/contact
    
    
  • 4th District Councilwoman Jan Marcason
    Assistant: Susan Borge susan.borge@kcmo.org
    
    
  • 4th District Councilman Jim Glover
    Assistant: Erica Torres erica.torres@kcmo.org
    
    
  • 2nd District Councilman Russ Johnson (Parking and Transportation Commission Chair)
    Assistant: Meg Conger meg.conger@kcmo.org

These are just some of the downtown businesses supporting the streetcar:

Azalea Home
Belle Epoque
BicMedia
Bloom Baking Company
Blue Gallery
BNIM
Boveri Real Estate
Burrito Brothers
Cellar Rat
Centric Projects
Classic Rock Coffee
Cowtown Couriers
Crossroads Dentistry
el dorado architects
Elements of Green
Helix
Kansas City Design Center
LatteLand
Market 3
MeMa's Bakery
Method
Mildred's Crossroads
Nara
OfficePort
Snow & Company
Square One Interiors
Tannin Wine Bar
The Rieger/Manifesto
Truman Medical Center
Volker Bicycles

Click here for a pdf with all the streetcar info you need in one place.