Oh good, a lid on Kansas City’s south downtown loop — and even more developer subsidies

Word that Kansas City is closer to building a park on top of the south downtown loop will be exciting news to the usual suspects: downtown boosters, business tycoons and political figures who enjoy cutting ribbons.

But we’re not sure who else would benefit.

Kansas City has talked about a park over the south interstate for more than a decade. It’s part of an effort to link the inside of the loop with Union Station, Southwest Boulevard, Broadway and the Crossroads district.

Friday, civic leaders announced a $5 million contribution from the Loews Kansas City Hotel to begin engineering and design of the park. Eventually, they think they can find another $160 million in public and private funds to finish the work.

“More than anything it will be a great gathering space for Kansas Citians,” said Mayor Quinton Lucas in announcing the plans.

Of course, Kansas City already has a “great gathering space” just a few blocks away, in the heavily-subsidized Kansas City Live section of the Power & Light District. The space is crowded a few times a year — big soccer game watch parties, a basketball tournament — but is empty enough the rest of the year.

And let’s not forget Barney Allis Plaza, which was envisioned as a great gathering space for downtowners. It didn’t work out that way. In fact, Kansas City is now looking for money to rebuild the plaza.

There are other unanswered questions about the south loop lid. Will it be safe? Who will cover the ongoing maintenance costs of the new park? Repairs? Improvements? Security needs? These aren’t idle concerns.

The covered highway would help the nearby Loews hotel, and provide a front yard for residents of the One/Two/Three Light apartment complexes nearby. All of those structures have received significant public subsidies already. So have nearby downtown office structures.

Downtown workers may enjoy the south loop link, if any downtown workers are left a decade from now.

Would other Kansas Citians use the park? Doubtful, and it’s hard to escape the queasy feeling that some of that money could be better spent on more pressing city problems, including violent crime and substandard housing.

It isn’t as if Kansas City has neglected its downtown — far from it. It has subsidized downtown hotels, bars, restaurants, a performing arts center, the T-Mobile Center, office buildings, apartments and the streetcar. Will enough ever be enough?

This is an important discussion, because the rumbling surrounding downtown baseball grows louder each day (and escalated yet again Friday.) While details regarding downtown baseball remain fuzzy, a significant public investment would almost certainly be required.

Will Kansas Citians (or Jackson Countians) be asked to provide a venue that baseball fans will enjoy, and the Royals will endorse, but that does little to improve the quality of life for the rest of the city, or county?

The south loop link project may provide interesting, and unsettling answers.

And let’s not be swayed by the usual “economic impact” claims from business leaders and politicians. They almost never come true, particularly for a park.

Finally, we’re slightly discouraged at the public’s role in this decision. While discussion has gone on for years, we’re not aware of significant and well-publicized public hearings to discuss specifics. Residents and business owners near the north loop may see their dreams of closing the interstate pushed back as well.

This story was originally published April 25, 2022 at 9:22 AM.