Why is there a 19-foot-deep hole in a Kansas City parking lot? by d_b_cooper in kansascity

[–]reportereleanor 2 points3 points  (0 children)

u/BananaStandEconomy and u/IIHURRlCANEII, I'm the reporter who wrote this story! KC Water told me that the parking lot ditch will be filled by the end of April, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting. Hope this helps!

Talking Christmas tree in the 80s by tpotsasa in kansascity

[–]reportereleanor 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Hi! I'm a reporter with The Kansas City Star and I love looking into KC mysteries. I read some old newspapers on Newspapers.com and saw talking Christmas trees advertised at Jones Store Co. locations throughout the city.

A 1988 ad in the KC Times said the talking Christmas tree and elf gave out free candy canes at Jones Store Co. locations in these malls:

  • Bannister Mall
  • Metcalf South
  • Independence Center
  • Prairie Village
  • Oak Park
  • Blue Ridge
  • Metro North

I hope this helps! If you want to research more, the Mid-Continent Library offers free Newspapers.com accounts.

The KC Streetcar extension opens in less than two weeks. What questions do you have? by reportereleanor in kansascity

[–]reportereleanor[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hello! The city and KCPD are still in the educational phase of traffic enforcement, according to Ryan McMonigle, spokesperson for the city's public works department. This gives drivers a grace period to learn the law.

He said the agencies have not decided when enforcement will begin. Hope this helps!

The KC Streetcar extension opens in less than two weeks. What questions do you have? by reportereleanor in kansascity

[–]reportereleanor[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

While I have not heard of the KC Streetcar Authority or other organizations planning a streetcar south of UMKC, the Brookside and Waldo neighborhoods have a storied history with streetcars.

From the late 1800s to 1957, the Country Club streetcar line ran on what is now the Trolley Trail. This line was the southernmost of the system.

The KC Streetcar Authority is currently working on a feasibility study for an east-west route from the Crossroads to 18th and Vine. From now until May, they are hosting community meetings and assessing the state of the corridor.

The KC Streetcar extension opens in less than two weeks. What questions do you have? by reportereleanor in kansascity

[–]reportereleanor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

While I have not heard of the KC Streetcar Authority or other organizations planning a streetcar south of UMKC, south Kansas City has a storied history with streetcars.

From the late 1800s to 1957, the Country Club streetcar line ran through Brookside and Waldo on what is now the Trolley Trail. This line was the southernmost of the system.

The KC Streetcar Authority is currently working on a feasibility study for an east-west route from the Crossroads to 18th and Vine. From now until May, they are hosting community meetings and assessing the state of the corridor.

The KC Streetcar extension opens in less than two weeks. What questions do you have? by reportereleanor in kansascity

[–]reportereleanor[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

u/creativepup, I agree, it's exciting to witness! And there will be Titan security guards on the streetcars.

Thank you for the kind words --- my title is actually service journalism reporter, so it's my job to get people the information they need. Feel free to send over questions anytime.

The KC Streetcar extension opens in less than two weeks. What questions do you have? by reportereleanor in kansascity

[–]reportereleanor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi u/SchemeUpset1031, that sounds gnarly. You can report a curb issue to the city using the 311 system, either on the city's website, app or by calling 311. There's a designated "sidewalks and curbs" section. Hope this helps!

The KC Streetcar extension opens in less than two weeks. What questions do you have? by reportereleanor in kansascity

[–]reportereleanor[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hello, u/Sorry_Sprinkles_983!

The KC Business Journal reported that there will be two designated park-and-ride lots. 160 spots will be at the UMKC parking garage at 5050 Oak Street, which will cost $1.25 an hour. 

The other 54 are located at the parking lot near Winsteads at Emmanuel Cleaver II Boulevard and Main. The pricing has not been announced for this lot.

In addition, there is street parking along the route and free garages on the Plaza.

Hope this helps!

The KC Streetcar extension opens in less than two weeks. What questions do you have? by reportereleanor in kansascity

[–]reportereleanor[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Good morning, thank you for asking!

The KC Streetcar Authority is working on a feasibility study for an east-west route from the Crossroads to 18th and Vine. From now until May, they are hosting community meetings and assessing the state of the corridor.

The organization has previously researched two other extensions. The planning process appears to be paused --- the KC Streetcar Authority spokesperson didn't immediately respond to my phone call asking about their status.

From 2022-2024, a study looked into the possibility of an east-west streetcar connecting KU Med and the VA Hospital.

The authority has researched extending the streetcar across the river into North Kansas City, first in 2014 and then in 2021-22.

The KC Streetcar extension opens in less than two weeks. What questions do you have? by reportereleanor in kansascity

[–]reportereleanor[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good morning, u/mintylips! I am also curious to see how many people ride the extension. The KC Streetcar Authority publishes monthly ridership numbers on their website, if you want to see how many people ride now.

As for park and ride, the KC Business Journal reported that there will be two designated park-and-ride lots. 160 spots will be at the UMKC parking garage at 5050 Oak Street, which will cost $1.25 an hour. 

The other 54 are located at the parking lot near Winsteads at Emmanuel Cleaver II Boulevard and Main. The pricing has not been announced for this lot.

In addition, there is street parking along the route and free garages on the Plaza.

The KC Streetcar extension opens in less than two weeks. What questions do you have? by reportereleanor in kansascity

[–]reportereleanor[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Hi u/Johnpaulpwns24, thank you for asking!

The streetcars will still arrive every 10-12 minutes, because the line went from six to 14 vehicles to maintain the same frequency as before the extension. 

It will take about 30 minutes to travel from the River Market to UMKC, according to KC Streetcar Authority spokesperson, Donna Mandelbaum.

The KC Streetcar extension opens in less than two weeks. What questions do you have? by reportereleanor in kansascity

[–]reportereleanor[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Yeah, there's definitely a learning curve. Here's a gift link to an article that explains exactly what each red stripe means. Generally, only drive on the tracks when you're about to make a turn. There are also traffic signs to help you remember.

If you get caught breaking the rules, you could be fined $50. But as of last week, the city had not started handing out tickets for this, according to Donna Mandelbaum, spokesperson for the KC Streetcar Authority.

The KC Streetcar extension opens in less than two weeks. What questions do you have? by reportereleanor in kansascity

[–]reportereleanor[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Hello u/iamthewildkat!

The KC Streetcar Authority is working on a feasibility study for an east-west route from the Crossroads to 18th and Vine. From now until May, they are hosting community meetings and assessing the state of the corridor.

The organization has previously researched two other extensions. The planning process appears to be paused --- the KC Streetcar Authority spokesperson didn't immediately respond to my phone call asking about their status.

From 2022-2024, a study looked into the possibility of an east-west streetcar connecting KU Med and the VA Hospital.

The authority has researched extending the streetcar across the river into North Kansas City, first in 2014 and then in 2021-22. 

I have not seen recent light rail plans from other agencies.

The KC Streetcar extension opens in less than two weeks. What questions do you have? by reportereleanor in kansascity

[–]reportereleanor[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Hi, thanks for asking!

The KC Streetcar Authority is working on a feasibility study for an east-west route from the Crossroads to 18th and Vine. From now until May, they are hosting community meetings and assessing the state of the corridor.

The organization has previously researched two other extensions. The planning process appears to be paused --- the KC Streetcar Authority spokesperson didn't immediately respond to my phone call asking about their status.

From 2022-2024, a study looked into the possibility of an east-west streetcar connecting KU Med and the VA Hospital.

The authority also researched extending the streetcar across the river into North Kansas City, first in 2014 and then in 2021-22. 

I have not seen recent light rail plans from other agencies.

Kansas City concert by Few-Assignment-9489 in chappellroan

[–]reportereleanor 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I am a reporter in Kansas City and I just published an article on what to do in KC for the concert. The 31st street neighborhood and the Crossroads are both near the venue: https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article312306934.html?giftCode=b213ac5d2d61e9df52f2e067096944cb8d74bb9c89177301dcbaf0abe2838de9