thursday, august 28, 2003
jayplay.19
STREET
this, crime has been down," he says. "There's been fewer arrests and less vandalism."
Once patrons pay the $1 to pass through the metal barricades, they receive a wristband and must pay another dollar to get out if they leave. If underage people have been in the area before 10 p.m., Rodenburg says it is the responsibility of the Westport and city police to escort them out of the area. Once they are outside the barricades, they cannot come back in.
Bar employees agree that the change has been a positive experience. Joel McVicker, bartender at McCoy's and University of Missouri at Kansas City student, says the patrons have been enjoying the area more. He also believes it is definitely a change from the Lawrence scene. He says Lawrence is a college bedroom community while Westport is the oldest area in Kansas City offering more history to the atmosphere.
Joe Addington, owner of Joe's Pizza and treasurer for Promote Westport Inc., and Patrick Kelly co-owner of Kelly's Bar both agree that the change has been positive. Addington says the patrons like the party atmosphere and that there has been nothing but positive feedback. He says the weekly average is about 4,000 to 5,000 people per night.
Connie Goetz, Raytown resident, also likes the change. "I think it's a good thing," she says. "Before you couldn't cross the street or walk on the sidewalks. There were teenagers everywhere."
The blocked off Pennsylvania Street and Westport Road allow for plenty of space to freely stand around or sit down without being bothered, harassed or asked to
move. And, you can buy a five- dollar, 12 ounce beer and a $2.50 hot dog from a street vendor if the bar scene isn't your style.
The bar owners seem to agree that the change is positive and that the patrons love it. But what about any negative results? The only thing Westphal could think of was that he had to spend more time trying to pull off the Saturday night event rather than dedicate more time to his own business, McCoy's, where he is a consultant.
—Kim Elsham contributed to this story.
Hao Ling waits for customers inside his mobile pizza van. Ling said that his busiest time was 2:30 in the morning after the bars closed.
Patrol member Qunicy Youngblood checks the ID of a woman at the gates near the Beaumont.