Downtown linear park a waste of funds

The Urban County Government proposes spending over $10 million per mile on a linear park along Midland and Vine streets — $40 million total in state, federal and local funding. The Herald-Leader editorial board endorses such stupidity.

Regardless of fluffy artistic renderings of happy folks riding bikes or sitting along this park, this project is a gross waste of money — much like an earlier failed, ludicrous glassification of Rupp Arena.

Big buck contracts for special individuals, politicians or contracting beneficiaries will not bring people downtown any more than the sidewalk and treed area that already exists. But powers that be want big spending, high-profit and contractual projects.

Developing the current Rupp parking lots will see outrageous high-priced parking underground or above ground.

Instead, why not spend dollars on solar panels on Rupp Arena, Civic Center and all government buildings, including schools?

Why not spend some money for statues with novel sound systems to educate visitors about famous local characters like Adolph Rupp, John and Joan Gaines, Isaac Murphy, Les McCann, Smiley Pete, Sweet Evening Breeze and Belle Brezing?

Why not a crosswalk with a traffic light at the Transit Center, including an improved walkway next to the city-owned building along the viaduct? Bus riders will have easy access to and from Main.

This story was originally published September 27, 2017 at 7:04 PM with the headline "Downtown linear park a waste of funds."