UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, June 10, 1992
5
Spring urban design students plan real-life light rail in K.C.
By Julie Wasson
Kansan staff writer
Kansan staff writer
A group of University of Kansas students helped develop a plan during the spring semester to curb rush-hour traffic and other big-city traffic problems in downtown Kansas City, Mo.
At the invitation of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, or ATA, KU urban design students worked in association with the ATA on a proposed light rail system this spring, said Glen LeRoy, associate professor of architecture and urban design.
The ATA is using federal money to examine the possibility of establishing such a system in Kansas City.
The light rail system is a modern streetcar powered by overhead wires. The streetcar uses exclusive street lanes and can travel up to 55 mph. One car can hold up to 130 passengers, and additional cars could accommodate more riders.
LeRoy said that students in his fifth year architecture studio prepared a plan to indicate where the light rail was most necessary and plotted a
potential route, including development opportunities and related uses.
The students worked from August until May on the light rail project, which culminated in a display at Bartle Hall in mid-May.
"Light rail could stimulate development in downtown Kansas City," leRoy said. "If the business community rallies behind it, it has a better chance of going forward."
Dick Davis, executive director of the ATA, said the light rail was a realistic plan for the future.
"Right now an alternative analysis study is being run on the project, which should last until next spring." Davis said. The study is mandated by the federal government as a condition for future funds, he said.
"After that study we'll have to run a preliminary engineering study, which will take about another year," he said.
Davis said that if both studies went well, the critical element facing the project would be receiving funds from the Missouri legislature. "If we get money budgeted in the 1993 session, the first phase of this project
could be completed by 1997," he said.
Hector Garcia, KU graduate from Lenexa, said he chose to work on the project because of the opportunities it afforded students.
"The Kansas City studio offers urban design, which isn't offered in Lawrence," Garcia said. "I wanted to work on a real issue, one that could be completed. I think the light rail is needed in the community."
"Our work allowed us to make connections with public figures. I really enjoyed doing it."
Glenn Kessler, KU graduate from Prairie Village, said each student had an extra job along with the project. "Some people were business managers, some project managers," he said.
"It was like working in an actual architecture office. We had real clients and made real contacts. I think this studio is an excellent opportunity to gain educational experience in urban design.
"It took every minute of my time. But I enried it all," he said.
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