The long-awaited Citadel Plaza project in the 63rd Street & Prospect area wants $20-million in backing for it's bonds from the city's coffers.
All I and probably many citizens can say to this is HUH???
This retail & residential project has been in the planning stages for about the past 15 years. I know the area well- having grown-up around 61st Street & Swope Parkway.
In 1967- a Milgram's grocery store and Katz (later Scaggs) drug store sat on the southwest corner of 63rd & Prospect. A popular Zesto drive-in sat just east of the intersection on the southeast corner.
Six blocks west was the Metro Plaza strip shopping center that also contained a drug store- grocery store- multi-screen theaters and other retail.
The neighborhoods surrounding these areas were thriving and vibrant.
Then- what happened in most large American cities happened here- accelerated by the 1968 race riots.
The wealthier white folks moved out- the poorer people of color moved in.
Over the next 30 years- my lovely old neighborhood deteriorated to the point our old house is now boarded-up- yards unkempt and all just generally neglected.
$20-million plus whatever else is the cost of this new development would have gone a long- long way in making and keeping these surrounding neighborhoods viable.
The fact remains that the people in this area have limited incomes- many decimated by the present failing economy.
And I don't think many white folks in the 'burbs are going to drive in just to shop at Citadel Plaza.
Oh- did I mention that likely everything sold in the new development will COST MORE than stores a few miles away near the inner ring of suburbs?
Those two factors alone make the Citadel Plaza project "high risk" as The KANSAS CITY STAR calls the project in a news story this morning.
Fifth-district councilman Terry Riley should be praised for TRYING to do SOMETHING to make that wonderful area gone sour viable again.
Councilman Riley also should be brought to his economic sense regarding this project- which has failure witten all over it as it stands.
You probably would have better luck making a profit on that $20-million playing blackjack with it.
The odds of success surely must be higher at a casino than at 63rd Street & Prospect.
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