Originally Posted by |Zach| (Post 16607307)

I totally agree with all of this. The perception of downtown is ridiculous and wrong.

But honestly I think one of the best things KC has done lately is stop bending over backwards for people from the suburbs who don't understand it and don't give a shit and are always going to paint it as whatever they want.

City manager Brian Platt has done a good job in this regard. He knows what cities are size should be doing to thrive and he pushes to do things like that. He doesn't pretend to care what a group guys in a barber shop in Grain Valley think about what KC needs or does not need. They do not live here and do not know anything about it and bending over backwards to try to make it more catering to them.

Just feels like PL helped establish something that we have been able to build upon. Not that it is perfect and has not had problems. Alot of the issues we face now in regard to housing are not really KC specific but that does not mean we do not need to be better at making it so more people can live in and enjoy downtown.

Originally Posted by Chris Meck (Post 16607332)

I don't disagree with any of that necessarily, and my viewpoint is deeply arts-centric as I believe very strongly that what makes a city great, unique, and fun is the arts and entertainment. The music, art, food, theater, all that stuff. I came here as a young person to make art (music) and I stayed because it was an affordable place to live while i did so. I'm afraid for the youngsters coming up now. I mean, I own my house. But how the hell does a 22 year old kid afford rent in this city now? and still have time to make art?

Originally Posted by Razaele (Post 16607044)

Back in my day you only went downtown if you were looking for a BJ or some smack

Originally Posted by TribalElder (Post 16607161)

tell me you don't go downtown without telling me you don't go downtown

Originally Posted by Titty Meat (Post 16607206)

Fat asses complaining about having to walk 3 city blocks LMAO

Originally Posted by |Zach| (Post 16607336)

You are right its an issue. It is an issue much bigger than Kansas City you see this playing out in so many places.

I think there are still a lot of great and affordable places in midtown. KC Tenants is doing amazing things as a group advocating for liveable housing for working people which in turn can create more opportunities for artists.

Originally Posted by Chris Meck (Post 16607332)

I don't disagree with any of that necessarily, and my viewpoint is deeply arts-centric as I believe very strongly that what makes a city great, unique, and fun is the arts and entertainment. The music, art, food, theater, all that stuff. I came here as a young person to make art (music) and I stayed because it was an affordable place to live while i did so. I'm afraid for the youngsters coming up now. I mean, I own my house. But how the hell does a 22 year old kid afford rent in this city now? and still have time to make art?

Originally Posted by Chris Meck (Post 16607280)

Dude, I had a studio at 16th and Grand for ten years, and have worked in this area on and off since the late 90's.. At the beginning of that time, you could literally see tumbleweeds blowing down Grand certain times of year. Then artists started renting lofts down there. There would be rent parties, which would be live music shows, which led to actual live music venues, and art galleries, and cool little hole in the wall restaurants. It was beginning to happen, and the First Friday thing started, and early on, that was all local and grew naturally, no corporate bullshit, just like a real KC thing. Then Power and Light, and the arena, and the artists all run out for luxury loft living. Now the people in the luxury lofts are complaining about all the noise from the live music clubs and especially from Grinders, which is an outdoor smallish concert venue.

So, did 'people' go to the area before? Well, people that were part of things that were happening, yeah. People who were or were interested in art and music.

Did suburban people who want to eat chain food because that's what they know and drink $10 bud lights come by the thousands? Well, no.

Somehow people from the suburbs think things are either whitebread chain bullshit or gang war territory. It's entirely untrue and pretty insulting, really.
Not that YOU were being insulting, just that the concept of what makes a city interesting and unique is entirely lost on most people.

There is still a lot of cool stuff in the Crossroads district, but most of it will be gone soon with the rent hikes coming with a stadium build less than a mile away.

Originally Posted by KCUnited (Post 16607363)

I lived in the RM and my now wife lived on 16th and Walnut pre-P&L, arena, Star building, etc. and this brings back fond memories. There would be random parties in the Crossroads at art spaces that you could just walk into, DIY music spaces, etc. Felt like everyone knew one another and after a certain time of day there was no one outside of that who was really down there at that time.

That said, and its 100% because I don't live there anymore, I do enjoy going back and seeing the evolution. Yeah its weird booking a Hampton Inn right across the street from where I once hung out, but seeing people out walking around or out walking their dogs feels nice.

I get both sides of it. If I were still down there I'm not sure how I'd feel. As an out of towner I enjoy visiting the Crossroads.

Hopefully they do it right but I totally get the feeling that it hasn't and won't end well for a lot of folks down there.

Originally Posted by |Zach| (Post 16607366)

You talking about the place off of Walnut and 9th st? What used to be across from there?

Originally Posted by stevieray (Post 16607362)

Cordish's (P&L) four light is going up, too.

All well and good, but it's a Boston based company. It's like Blvd, owned by the Belgians.

I think the goal is to get as many people into downtown as possible ( new apartments in the last few years), but like you said, it will simply out price those who made the 'roads great to begin with.

Originally Posted by BWillie (Post 16607370)

I don't understand 1, 2, and 3 Light. Its all for rent. We need more for purchase apts downtown. Not throw away rent places.

Originally Posted by stevieray (Post 16607372)

All that money goes back to Boston.

Originally Posted by BWillie (Post 16607361)

KC Tenants should all be shot. Pieces of shit org

Originally Posted by Titty Meat (Post 16607376)

Thankfully I think what little momentum they had is gone