New changes at Power and Light District have people talking

[pstokely]

Source: NBC Action News

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - The Power and Light District started a new policy that requires people on Friday and Saturday nights to pay a cover charge to get into the open area in between bars and restaurants.

On Friday nights after midnight and Saturdays after 11:00 p.m. it’s ten dollars to get in. And they are not accepting cash, only credit and debit cards. Power and Light District officials said it’s a business move to get people in the door earlier so they can spend more money. As for the cash they said they don’t want large amounts of money just sitting in the open space so they are opting for debit and credit cards.

But many people we spoke to said they don’t like changes and don’t want to pay a cover charge.

Read more: http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/local_news/new-changes-and-the-power-and-light-district-has-people-talking

[Speck Tater]

1. And if you don't pay your air bill they'll come to your house and put a plastic bag over your head.

[Proletariatprincess]

2. why is this story here on DU?

I don't care...and can't imagine how many could.
A well known club raises it's cover charge is news? I don't get it.

[givemebackmycountry]

3. Because it's not a CLUB...

It's an entire entertainment DISTRICT that is comprised of MANY clubs, restaurants, sports bars, steak houses, and a outdoor concert venue, that is directly across the street from a 19k seat major arena, THAT'S why.
It holds THOUSANDS.

Unlike any CLUB I am aware of.

[Trajan]

6. Sure sounded like a club to me ....

Since you know so much about it, it is apparent it is your problem ..... Not ours ....

[Proletariatprincess]

12. I still don't care.

[RC]

4. Because the Power and Light district is an area, not a club.

There are lots of 'Be Seen places' in the Power and Light district.

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. Because it was partly financed by tax dollars

And the clubs in the district are paying NO PROPERTY TAXES.

That's why.

[indurancevile]

17. do i understand correctly? they're charging a COVER to enter the public space outside these clubs?

[proud2BlibKansan]

20. Yes

[indurancevile]

22. how can they do that legally?

[proud2BlibKansan]

23. They don't care

The owners have already been sued over the dress code. They really don't care. It's some out of town firm that got a great deal from the city. No property taxes and complete control of the district.

It's a privatization scheme gone wild.

[Xithras]

25. Has that been court tested?

There was a conflict in Modesto California about two years ago that's somewhat similar. The city signed an agreement with a theater in the club district giving the theater control over a public plaza. They leased them the entire plaza to give them unquestioned control over it. The theater brought in some thugs, and they kept the plaza cleared of everyone from protesters to homeless people.

Eventually some soapbox preacher got ejected, sued in federal court, and won. It's a public square, and your constitutuional rights are protected in it. The city can't just sign an agreement with a private business and allow them to exclude people from public property.

[proud2BlibKansan]

27. No not yet

Seems likely though.

[pstokely]

16. It receives public $

[TheMadMonk]

5. Is it a gazetted public thoroughfare? If so, tell them to stick their...

...swipe machines where the sun don't shine.

[KamaAina]

7. Kind of defeats the purpose of the whole thing, doesn't it?

And when are they going to get a team into the fancy new arena? Arena Football is back, you know. Or maybe there's a WNBA team out there.

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. Been there once and won't be going back.

Too terminally hip for me. Plus the dress code is a bit much.

[TheDebbieDee]

13. But the dress code seems to be enforced at the discretion of the

security staff........

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. Exactly

[Seedersandleechers]

10. I lived in the power and light district for several years

and it is my guess they want to keep ethnic people away from the area. Mainly hispanics and blacks. They even had at one time a dress code that targeted blacks. The buildings are very cheesy with lots of concrete and steel. They cater to lily white brats.

[TheDebbieDee]

14. There's something wrong with the entertainment organizers

at the P&L District. A couple of summers ago, they booked DJ Jazzy Jeff to come in and do a concert, then told him to turn the volume down - it was TOO loud!

DJ Jazzy Jeff walked off the stage.......

[pstokely]

18. A lot of white people don't have credit or debt cards

There's probably a few people here who could afford the $10 cover charge even if they wanted too but don't have bank accounts or good credit

[onyourleft]

11. Thanks for posting.

I am originally from Kansas City, having been raised there and moving here in 1990. I found the post quite interesting.

[pstokely]

19. How many people here don't have credit cards or bank accounts?

Even the thugs that they think they might be to keep out have those

[kctim]

21. I hope it works for them

It was like going to 'teen night' when you went down there. Damn teens roaming around like they owned the place, begging for smokes, alcohol etc...
May start going back down there IF this works.

[proud2BlibKansan]

24. Maybe they can make enough money to pay the city back

and catch up on their property taxes.

[bananas]

26. What happened to "This Note Is Legal Tender" ?

Apparently not anymore.