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Presentation To Kcmo
This document discusses the economic development opportunities for Kansas City through improved rail connections to other major metropolitan areas. It notes that Kansas City is currently missing rail connections to Dallas-Fort Worth and other areas, which limits its economic growth potential. Closing these rail gaps could boost Kansas City's economy by facilitating more efficient transportation of goods and connecting the region to larger markets. The document outlines next steps needed to study and implement new rail routes, such as conducting environmental impact studies and securing funding commitments from stakeholders.
Presentation To Kcmo
- 1. Economic Development Opportunity for Kansas City Deborah Fischer Stout CEO Vectura Consulting, LLC Northern Flyer Alliance President
- 3. Megapolitan Areas: America’s NewMetropolis April 13, 2006 Robert Lang, Arthur C. Nelson & Paul Knox Virginia Tech, Alexandria, VA John S. Hall Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
- 4. Virginia Tech’s 2005 MegapolitanGeography This is our economic growth potential
- 5. Megapolitans in TheNews USA Today July 2005
- 6. Planning group execsays KC must grow as region, not separate cities Mitchell Silver, President American Planning Association in KC OCT. 15, 2012 BY KEVIN COLLISON The Kansas City Star
- 7. Megapolitans of theUS as of 2008 St. Louis is now part of Chicago Hub Network
- 8. What Happened toKC? • Not enough investment in rail • Too highway centric • Not working as a region
- 9. Why Rail? • Railis more efficient and economical to ship goods. • KU ROI study: 4.6 to 1 tax considered economic development ratio for the corridor from KC to OKC, completed in 2009. • Texas A&M ROI study: 4.5 to 1 economic development ratio for the corridor from OKC to DFW, completed in 2010
- 10.
- 11. What is inour way?
- 12. Amtrak National Network Thisgap is one of the barriers to economic growth Pop. Kansas City 2 Million Service Gap Pop. DFW 6.3 Million 12
- 13. Kansas City –Fort Worth Afternoon Afternoon through through the Gap the Gap
- 14. What could happen if KS/MO stays on the Side lines? Solid lines: existing Amtrak routes Dotted lines: potential and possible routes
- 15. Next Steps forthe Region 1. NEPA studies necessary. NEPA Regulation 64 FR 28545 2. Determine Stakeholders and create a Service Proposal 3. Thirdly, Stakeholders fund the studies
- 16. What will theNEPA cost? $4.4M now, or $19.1M after January 2013
- 17. What is Wichitadoing?
- 18. What could KCdo now?
- 19. This is our Economic Future Let’s invest in it!
Editor's Notes
- #2 Thank you for the introduction.Its great to be here and we really appreciate the opportunity to tell you about this very important economic development opportunity for Kansas City.The Northern Flyer Alliance is a non-profit dedicated to the reinstatement of passenger rail from Kansas City to Dallas Fort Worth. This has been our Mission since 2006.We have made great progress with the passage of two favorable bills in Kansas, and the successful advocacy for all required and preliminary plans completed since 2010, including the Feasibility Study, the new KS State Rail Plan and the KS Service Development Plan. On October 29th, I was tasked by the KS Special Committee on Transportation to provide action steps the State of Kansas could consider in order to move passenger rail forward.The Committee recommended investment in passenger rail.
- #3 Today, I will explain the economic issuesDescribe opportunity Explain the consequences for inactionDescribe what action steps can be taken to move the Metro forward
- #5 The US is now a Metro Nation. As of 2010, 80% of the population of the U.S. lived in a metropolitan area, while 85% of all jobs are located in metro areas. Those numbers continue to grow.So, what are Megapolitans?Also known as Megaregions, these areas share similar economies, weather, culture, commerce, family and business connections and infrastructure investment. These regions begin to operate in concert with other urban and rural areas in the region as a comprehensive unit producing and attracting goods and services for the world. Where are these Megapolitans?This map shows how metropolitan areas are beginning to grow into clusters that are now known as Megapolitans. Notice how KC is on the northern end of the I-35 Corridor Megaregion.Back in 2005, St. Louis was NOT considered part of a Megaregion.The I-35 Corridor Megaregion is our economic growth potential. Investing in this corridor is an investment in our economic future.
- #6 Since 2005, this concept has gotten a lot of media coverage. This was an Ardmore, OK article was picked up by USA Today.
- #7 Kevin Collison from the KC Star reported in October that Mitchell Silver was in town to talk about this concept, and why KC isn’t doing very well, economically.
- #8 This is the map that Mitchell Silver used. It’s more recent than the 2005 map shown earlier.Notice that St. Louis is now part of the Great Lakes Megaregion, or sometimes called the Chicago Hub Network.In 2008, St. Louis received a $1.3B grant to build a high speed rail line to Chicago. It’s under construction right now. A 110 mph train was test run a couple weeks ago, and I’ve heard that a 150 mph train will be test run soon. This was a game-changer for St. Louis, and represents a decade of planning and collaboration. The connectivity provided by this new train puts them in the Chicago Hub network. Notice also that KC, Wichita and OKC are now isolated, stand alone communities.
- #9 What Happened to KC?According to Mitchell Silver, KC doesn’t invest enough in rail and transitWe invest too much in highwaysNot working as a region. Silver is NOT talking about the Animal Health Corridor region. We’re not thinking big enough if we think our region begins in Columbia, MO and ends in Manhattan, KSOur region is the I-35 Corridor.The Brookings Institute, ranks KC 190th out of 200 global metros based on Job Growth and Economic VitalityThe US Conference of Mayors, ranks KC 241out of 383 global metros measuring the same factorsOf the top 40 metros of the 200 studied by the Brookings Institute, only two were in the US: Dallas and HoustonTexas is the fastest growing state in the nation both in population and in economic growth.The good news is that WSU President Dr. Bardo says the 2005 map data is as valid today as it was in 2005.Granted the northern half is the weakest half, but we can begin to work with our Metropolitan neighbors on economic development and transportation projects to strengthen KC’s economy.
- #10 Why Rail? These two Return on Investment studies address this question very well. 4.6 and 4.5 to 1 is a great return for a state investment.Sectors studied include:Amusement & Recreation IndustriesHotels/Motels, including Casino HotelsFood Services & Drinking PlacesRetail – General MerchandiseBig 12 Game activity
- #11 In addition to the economies of freight rail, Cost of fuel has made other forms of shipping and travel much more expensive.Changes in communication technology over the past decade have revolutionized business practices and enhanced the business value of passenger rail. Rail passengers can convert travel time to productive business activity, unlike auto or airline passengers.
- #12 So, what is getting in our way of being a substantial part of the I-35 Megaregion?
- #13 This is a map of Amtrak’s National System.This 200 mile Service Gap is one of the barriers to realizing the economic growth potential of being connected to Dallas/Fort Worth. The “service gap” between Oklahoma City and Wichita is a crucial deficiency in a transportation system that is anchored by Interstate 35 from San Antonio to Kansas City.Keep in mind, an investment in passenger rail is also an investment in freight rail. By closing this gap not only will passengers be able to travel between cities more productively and affordably, but farmers, ranchers and manufacturers will be able to get their goods to market faster and more efficiently as well.
- #14 The NFA proposes two OptionsAn extension of the Heartland Flyer that would directly close the Service Gap, with a projected ridership of over 200,000 people annually.The addition of two train sets that would directly connectKC to DFW, the North Flyer’s projected ridership would be over 370,000 people per year. This is what it looks like…..Run through scenario.
- #15 What could happen if Kansas and Missouri stay on the sidelines?The Kansas City and Wichita Metros including Johnson and Wyandotte counties will likely become even more isolated, perhaps within 5-10 years and continue to fall further behind their peer cities in both economic vitality and job growth.Now I want to draw your attention to this map. Describe. Describe also the SW Chief situation.What I want to focus on at the moment is the corridor from Tulsa to St. Louis. If Kansas City stays on the sidelines on these two issues, the train from St. Louis to Tulsa will likely be built first and Kansas City would be bypassed, further harming its economy. Remember, an investment in passenger rail is an investment in freight rail.As primary economic engines for MO and KS, the two states can ill-afford to neglect the infrastructure and development needs of its largest metro areas.
- #16 Next Steps for the Region:Perform an Environmental Impact Study. All other studies have been done.In order to qualify for federal funding for capital investment the corridor from Kansas City to Dallas/Fort Worth will need an environmental impact study – also known as a NEPAThis is the final study needed for the corridor, and it will render the corridor shovel-ready for HSIPR funds when completed.Given the multi-state nature of the corridor, the DOT’s will need to partner to complete this study. The DOT’s won’t become involved unless they hear from cities that it’s important.
- #17 Alternative #1, Heartland Flyer Extension: NEPA + PE = $5.3M ($3M, Kansas | $2.3M, Oklahoma)Alternative #2, Kansas City to Dallas/Fort Worth Stand Alone Daytime Service: NEPA + PE = $14.1MKDOT estimated that the total cost for the corridor to be $19.4M ($5.3M + $14.1M). NEPA Study produced in conjunction with ODOT/TxDOT Study: This is an opportunity to combine or piggy-back onto the TxDOT/ODOT NEPA for $4.4M.
- #18 Council Members Pete Meitzner and James Clendenin are making great progress..Passenger rail Steering Committee has been formed, comprised of about 6 business leaders including Intrust Bank There is an Oklahoma Initiative underway. Several meetings and presentations have been given by Wichita in OK in order to influence OKC and ODOT to help invest in this corridor.
- #19 Kansas City could reach out to Governor Nixon, asking him for his support.KCMO could take a formal position in favor of making the connectionto Texas, and in the maintenance of the SW Chief.KCMO could reach out to City Councils on the KS side offering to partner with Wichita to lobby Governor Brownback.KCMO City officials reach out to knowledgeable local Business Leaders, encouraging them to join Wichita businesses in forming a RegionalSteering Committee.MODOT could reach out to KDOT,offer to help with in kind services, or some of the cost.
- #20 So, I’ve explained the economic issuesDescribed the opportunity Explain the consequences for inactionDescribed how to move forwardWe have a window of opportunity to help make something great happen for Kansas City. The I-35 Corridor Megaregion is our economic future. Let’s invest in it. This concludes my presentation. Are there any questions?