Funding and scope
Mayor Quinton Lucas estimates the proposed package would cost about $100 million a year. He said it would be funded by two sales taxes, one lasting 40 years, and could draw money away from the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority’s bus system for 30 years, according to KCTV.
The proposal combines a monorail linking Kansas City International Airport, downtown, the Plaza and the zoo with new bus service, park upgrades and a transit hub at Union Station, KCTV reports. Kansas City also has a streetcar line, and the KC Streetcar Partnership’s project narrative documents streetcar service and extension planning.
Ballot measure awaits revised language
The council did not advance the measure after errors and unclear wording in the petition committee’s ballot language were identified, KCTV reported. The city’s legal team is working with Clay Chastain, who represents the committee, to revise the wording. Lucas said petitioners have the right to bring the measure before voters once the language is corrected, while expressing doubt about whether the proposed spending is responsible at this time. KCTV reports that the revised measure is expected to return to the City Council.
