Northeast News
August 20, 2014

Streetcar proponents have long ballyhooed their scheme as an economic driver for local business, citing that the streetcar will spur economic development. Sadly, however, that is not the case as a number of City Market area businesses are suffering 30-50 percent declines in business due to the traffic snarling construction along Third and Fifth Streets and Grand Avenue.

This news driven canine has talked with more than a few business owners who’ve indicated they’re merely “hanging on” due to the construction that continues to block easy access to their business establishments. Given City Market patrons are parking wherever they can find clear asphalt, the Kansas City Police Department Parking Control Unit has assigned a crew to the area to enforce parking ordinances, indicating they’ll ticket and tow offending vehicles, if necessary.

All of this begs the question: When does this nightmare end? It doesn’t. The Mayor is all about jamming this horrific tax and spend scheme down our throats despite being thoroughly trounced at the ballot box recently. To heck with you – the voters, you’ll take your medicine and you’ like it!

This news-dog has long championed basic infrastructure improvements and we’re not going to stop beating that drum. We’re sick of the steel plates in the streets, we’re sick of the construction dust, noise and inconvenience and we’re sick of having to foot the bill for this nonsense. Let’s get back to the basics and start upgrading the infrastructure instead of creating a nightmare for business owners and shoppers alike. We’re waiting Mr. Mayor – it’s your move.