How Tom Gerend brought billions to Kansas City with KC Streetcar
A single streetcar line connecting communities & powering billions in economic development for the people of Kansas City
Now imagine what will happen when they expand.
Last week you heard all about Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) from Frank White, III, this week we’re staying in KC to hear about their other transit success story: KC Streetcar.
With a single North-South loop line through downtown Kansas City, Exec. Dir. Tom Gerend and his team have built something amazing. Not only does this reconnect communities long separated by roads and highways, it’s bringing people into the city to work and play.
And work they do.
After a tour of historic Union Station, Tom took Paul for a ride on the streetcar (it’s free to ride, by the way) to the Streetcar Grille & Tavern which sits on what once was an empty parking lot–all because the streetcar is there.
Tom and KC Streetcar have big plans for expanding the line to connect to their new women’s soccer stadium and the rest of Kansas City on both sides of the state line. Real connections that create even more economic opportunities for the entire region.
Plus we have the famous “Streetcar Song” from a local KC band putting a little local flavor to the episode.
For our next episode we’re talking to someone a little different than our usual–a mayor. Mayor David Holt of Oklahoma City, OK is a very pro-transit mayor pushing for better bus service, bus rapid transit, and light rail in his city that covers over 600 square miles. Now that’s some serious route planning.
????New Transit Unplugged TV Trailer from Kansas City!
We’ve had two fantastic podcast episodes featuring KC, now it’s time for you to see and experience it all on Transit Unplugged TV. Join Paul as he explores “The City of Fountains” with people from KCATA and KC Streetcar.
Make sure you don’t miss the tour of the grand and historic Union Station and a special KC BBQ lunch with baseball legend Frank White, Jr (yes the head of KCATA Frank White, III’s father).
The full episode drops Thursday, April 11!
