Union Station wants tax increase
May 16th, 2008
It’s no secret that Union Station has been losing money since day one. The attendance forecasts for Science City were incredibly flawed, and the station has burned through its entire $50 million endowment. The now-expired bistate tax only paid for renovations, not for ongoing operations.
Today the Star reports that KCMO taxpayers might be asked to vote on a five cent property tax increase to fund ongoing operations at Union Station. It should be noted that the original bistate tax was structured to be supervised by four county governments. The City of KCMO was explicitly excluded from a formal role in Union Station because suburbanites did not trust the city with their money. So, the city does not own the station and has no authority over it.
Now it looks like City taxpayers will be called on to rescue the mismanaged suburban plan. It’s only fair to ask why isn’t Union Station turning to the counties for help?
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May 16th, 2008 at 4:29 am
Only fools ever believe that tax supported ‘white elephants’ will become fiscally responsible much less profitable! Tax increases to the working serfs are never ending to support TIFs, ‘white elephant projects/buildings’, ad infinitem. Every so-called executive from town, to county, to state, .. on up exercises their right to make phony promises, institute more tax dollar waste, and feed their constituents a bigger line of BS….what’s new in slumtown?
May 16th, 2008 at 4:30 am
I agree with you, ChrisM70. It just pisses me off that they wasted sooo much time with the failed “Science City” concept that was obviously a retarded idea from day one. I remember when the “American Originals” exhibit came to Union Station…the only way to see it was to buy a combo ticket with “Science City” so I passed on it. PLEASE PULL SCIENCE CITY OUT OF UNION STATION NOW AND FORGET IT EVER HAPPENED. Union Station may have a lot to do with history, but it has nothing to do with science. And while they’re at it, please suggest that the Harvey House diner serve halfway decent food, because they’re not helping matters when better quality can be had at Denny’s.
May 16th, 2008 at 4:31 am
I think that Union City is starting to get its act together - it’s finally out of the red for the first time since it opened. Part of what they have learned is that they need to bring in rotating exhibits and events to get people coming back (like Bodies Revealed and Dead Sea Scrolls).
Things aren’t perfect, and they will have to come up with more revenue-building ideas, but I think Union Station’s revival is worth the cost - it is a very important part of KC’s history and it can’t be anything but good to have Union Station cleaned up and used as a symbol of Kansas City’s rebirth.
May 16th, 2008 at 4:32 am
Agreed, Dave. Union Station ought to house a real city history museum. Kansas City has such a rich history that it’s a shame the KC Museum is the best we have been able to do. Our city deserves so much better, and Union Station is the perfect place to do it.
May 16th, 2008 at 4:33 am
Agreed, Dave. Science City was a TERRIBLE idea. I knew it at the time, as did every thinking person; everybody else just went along with it. CHILDREN DON’T SPEND MONEY! CHILDREN DON’T EAT AT PIERPONT’S. The people who came up with “Science City” idea are idiots. UNION STATION MUST HOUSE SOMETHING THAT ATTRACTS ADULTS WHO ARE WILLING TO SPEND MONEY TO REMAIN SOLVENT. HOW HARD IS THAT TO UNDERSTAND?
May 16th, 2008 at 4:34 am
why, oh why, must we keep the kansas city museum running? shut it, sell it on the condition it be restored as a historic home, and move the exhibits to union station. surely that would help?