KC streetcar leaders select firm to build the new system
“One step forward and one step sideways.” That was how The Kansas City Star on Wednesday described this week’s progress on the Downtown streetcar project.
“On one hand, the city opened bids and announced the apparent winner to manage and build a new streetcar system that is supposed to run through the heart of Downtown, from River Market to near Union Station,” reported Lynn Horsley of The Star. “On the other, lawyers sparred before a Missouri Court of Appeals panel over a case challenging whether the new Downtown taxes to help pay for the $100 million streetcar project are legal and constitutional.
“The appeals court ruling is not expected for several months. In the meantime, the city is proceeding with planning, utility relocations, streetcar vehicle selection and other tasks, all in hopes of possibly starting streetcar construction late this year.”
‘“The hope is to have things in place to start construction as soon as possible,”’ public works spokesman Sean Demory said on Tuesday. ‘“When things are resolved on the legal side, we want to hit the ground running.”’
To read The Star’s complete story on the streetcar, click here.
