City Council should reject petition and keep downtown hotel plan moving

The Kansas City Council on Thursday could decide how to handle an initiative petition that seeks a public vote on funding the proposed downtown convention hotel. We reluctantly but firmly support rejecting any election in 2016 and proceeding with this crucial project, as previously approved at City Hall.

The hesitation is based on our decades-long support for the right of people to petition their government when they think city officials are ignoring them or when they think a good project needs to be financed.

But the decision to oppose this specific petition is rooted in our agreement with the city’s position: Kansas City’s top elected body has approved the $300 million project and contracts have been signed to proceed with it. So the petition is legally flawed.

Several council members do have concerns about the hotel project, such as local and minority hiring goals. However, these can be resolved in the future and should not impede a council vote on the petition election.

Mayor Sly James favors the 800-room hotel plan, and a council committee last month rejected the petition election.

The city’s legal team essentially says elected representatives followed the rules in approving agreements with hotel developers. Public meetings were held. The council sought testimony from supporters and opponents. Detractors did not show up at these hearings to provide solid reasons to oppose the deal.

But allowing a public vote in this case could open future “final” City Council decisions to costly, time-consuming trips to the ballot box. If that would happen, the city could be hamstrung in its efforts to pursue redevelopment deals.

Public elections help express Kansas Citians’ level of support when, for instance, City Hall requests a tax increase. However, voters also select a mayor and council to make many important decisions over a four-year period. Most of those actions do not and should not require public votes.

If the group behind the petition files a lawsuit to try to force an election, that could quickly determine whether one would have to be held next year.

Recently, large crowds gathered at the Power & Light District to celebrate during and after games played by the World Series-winning Kansas City Royals. It was another sign of downtown’s resurgence. The urban core can be a very lively place, given the right amenities.

Adding a new hotel, backed by a reasonable amount of public subsidy, is another positive step in that direction.

This story was originally published November 11, 2015 at 4:50 PM with the headline "City Council should reject petition and keep downtown hotel plan moving."