AIA Kansas City Does Not Support the Proposed ATA Bus Tax Renewal
In April of 2008, the residents of Kansas City, Missouri will vote on whether to renew a 3/8 cent sales tax dedicated to the Area Transportation Authority (ATA) for 15 years. The sales tax is one of the primary sources of funding for the ATA’s bus system. It was originally conceived and passed in 2004 as a temporary measure until a longer-term regional funding source could be secured. It expires in early 2009. Most recently, the sales tax was renewed in November of 2006 to fund a light rail system in a petition drive led by activist Clay Chastain.
While the plan that voters approved in November of 2006 was flawed on several key levels, it did at least put the issue of an integrated transit system in front of the voters and city officials. As a result, AIA Kansas City has issued several statements on the need to immediately plan for and implement a comprehensive transit system that serves the city of Kansas City, Missouri and would include rail transit as well as buses.
Following the 2006 vote, the ATA initiated an Alternatives Analysis (AA) to study the potential for a starter light rail line. This study has now entered Phase Two, and is expected to run through 2009. The process has led to a recommended starter route, and identified funding and technology needs.
While AIA Kansas City strongly supports the bus system and mass transit in general, the Board is reluctant to endorse the 3/8 cent sales tax renewal in April. AIA Kansas City believes that rail transit needs to be a priority for the current and future economic and ecologic health of our city, and it shouldn’t be treated as a separate initiative from bus service. In fact, the entire system should be well planned and integrated, and presented to the citizens as a unified transportation system. The current measure unnecessarily separates the issues of bus and rail transit, and threatens the future viability of a rail transit tax from passing. In fact, the Citizens Light Rail Task Force, on which AIA Kansas City is represented, clearly recommended combining both issues in one election.
AIA Kansas City will wholeheartedly support a comprehensive, integrated transportation improvements tax, which would include the current 3/8 cent sales tax and additional necessary funding. However, the Board cannot support the current measure as proposed.
The Kansas City Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, AIA Kansas City, represents over 890 local architects, and serves as the Voice of the Architecture Profession.