Fantasy Streetcar Map (KC 2030) (Union: 2015, employment, transfer)

[rwiksell]

To hope for something like this within 15 years might be crazy, but hey. It's a fantasy map. A few notable features:

Union Station is still the central hub, as planned. That would maximize any potential connections with commuter rail.

CBD has transfer opportunities for three different lines. River Market, Westport and the Plaza each have easy pedestrian access to two different lines.

Dotted purple line operates on a non-regular schedule, based on peak visitor hours for the 18th & Vine district, and Chiefs and Royals games. Sometimes it will go to both, sometimes neither.

I'm also imagining that by 2030 Downtown KCK might actually be worth visiting. (There are other stops that are placed based on projected future development, but less speculative.)

I look forward to the conversation!

[gfisch95]

I personally really love the idea of Union Station as the central hub, but that's also just partially because I would really love to see it become an actual transit station/more than just Amtrak again. If commuter rail ever finally does happen I would love for it to connect there.

[rwiksell]

Originally Posted by gfisch95

I personally really love the idea of Union Station as the central hub, but that's also just partially because I would really love to see it become an actual transit station/more than just Amtrak again. If commuter rail ever finally does happen I would love for it to connect there.

Agreed. And if commuter rail does ever finally happen, my guess is that it would have to connect at Union Station.

[MLSFan]

but it doesn't hit my neighborhood who would use it lol

[Weaubleau]

This would be awesome if it ever happened!

[Bluefox]

Cool map! Although, I would personally take that purple line and extend it on 39th all the way to Main or Broadway, or alternatively extend it south down 169 and have another line cut east back to the Plaza. This would give that whole area better coverage. Of course, all a pipe dream, but fun to think about.

[rwiksell]

Originally Posted by Bluefox

Cool map! Although, I would personally take that purple line and extend it on 39th all the way to Main or Broadway, or alternatively extend it south down 169 and have another line cut east back to the Plaza. This would give that whole area better coverage. Of course, all a pipe dream, but fun to think about.

Agreed. I took your suggestion into account, and also made some more adjustments I'd been considering:

[gfisch95]

I was going to suggest terminating purple at the Westport stop, but I like this alignment too.

[rwiksell]

Originally Posted by gfisch95

I was going to suggest terminating purple at the Westport stop, but I like this alignment too.

I know, it started out that way, but then I thought how it's nice to have a stop serving Plaza West. And I can't get away from the fact that the three primary nodes in the system have to be:

1. CBD
2. Union Station
3. The Plaza

So I think it's best to favor the Plaza over Westport, given the opportunity. Westport is fantastic, but it just doesn't compare to the Plaza in terms of residential, employment and tourism.

[pacificwhim]

This is marvelous. Have you thought about sending it to anyone at the city?