KANSAS CITY, MO. -
Voters approved light rail five months ago. Now, designers are showing how light rail could change the cities around it.
Friday, FOX 4's John Pepitone got a look at the finalists in a design competition for light rail. The designs show how light rail can help spur development in neighborhoods it passes through. And, we're likely to see some of the ideas incorporated in the transit system approved by voters.
Designers believe light rail will bring beauty, density and culture to the neighborhoods it passes through. Two finalists call for a route along Main Street instead of Broadway to help build up blighted blocks.
Ten years ago businesses along Broadway and Grand fought against light rail, but designers think transit will transform Main Street.
"It's actually a very well flushed out picture of what transit will do to actually strengthen the built environment in Kansas City," said Daniel Serda.
One of the finalists called for light rail to cross the river near the downtown airport, with a transit station in Harlem to help boost economic development in a depressed area.
Designs also include a stop at the Sprint Center near the Green Space Lid that may be built over Interstate 670.
Designers envision traditional neighborhood development around transit stops with homes, offices and entertainment along the route.
Linda Clark told FOX 4, "I see some unique development opportunities simply because of what's already in Kansas City. Some of the best things are for us to capitalize and reuse some of the older areas of town."
Some plans see Union Station as a transit hub, linking light rail in Kansas City to a commuter rail route using existing freight tracks to Johnson County.
All the plans are designed to leverage investment in public transit to further growth around it.
The winning team will present it's plan for light rail development at a public forum in June. The winning design will not replace the plan voters approved, but may encourage more people to get involved in making light rail a reality.
John Pepitone, FOX 4 News
Friday, FOX 4's John Pepitone got a look at the finalists in a design competition for light rail. The designs show how light rail can help spur development in neighborhoods it passes through. And, we're likely to see some of the ideas incorporated in the transit system approved by voters.
Designers believe light rail will bring beauty, density and culture to the neighborhoods it passes through. Two finalists call for a route along Main Street instead of Broadway to help build up blighted blocks.
Ten years ago businesses along Broadway and Grand fought against light rail, but designers think transit will transform Main Street.
"It's actually a very well flushed out picture of what transit will do to actually strengthen the built environment in Kansas City," said Daniel Serda.
One of the finalists called for light rail to cross the river near the downtown airport, with a transit station in Harlem to help boost economic development in a depressed area.
Designs also include a stop at the Sprint Center near the Green Space Lid that may be built over Interstate 670.
Designers envision traditional neighborhood development around transit stops with homes, offices and entertainment along the route.
Linda Clark told FOX 4, "I see some unique development opportunities simply because of what's already in Kansas City. Some of the best things are for us to capitalize and reuse some of the older areas of town."
Some plans see Union Station as a transit hub, linking light rail in Kansas City to a commuter rail route using existing freight tracks to Johnson County.
All the plans are designed to leverage investment in public transit to further growth around it.
The winning team will present it's plan for light rail development at a public forum in June. The winning design will not replace the plan voters approved, but may encourage more people to get involved in making light rail a reality.
John Pepitone, FOX 4 News
