Reporter's Notebook: What KC looks like after eight years in prison
Wed., Jun. 17 2009 @ 3:14PM
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In this week's feature, "Story of My Life," we introduced you to East-side native Quentin Carter, who spent close to a decade in federal prison on drug charges and came out with five bestselling novels. A lot's changed since Carter was put away, and we were curious how Kansas City's redevelopment looked to a fresh set of eyes.
On the Power & Light District: "I was so happy to read about that stuff when I was in. We got all these guys from Los Angeles, Chicago, all these other cities in there with me, and I could see that in the paper, bring it to them and say 'See, we ain't dirt. We got stuff in KC too.' I been down there now. It's nice. When I got out I kept wanting to see the Sprint Center and when I finally went by it I almost missed it. I remember looking to the left and seeing it like, 'Damn, How'd they squeeze that in there?'"
On Westport: "That was really hot back in the day. It's not like that now. They charging people to get in there now. Fuck that. And when we hung out it was about showboating. Who got the hottest car, who got the hottest girl. Now it's about being tough and shooting somebody."
On Prospect: "When I was hustling, Prospect was the place to be on Saturday night. We looked forward to being down there. Now it's like a ghost town. I'm proud to see a lot of guys opened businesses on that street though."
On Drugs: "There's not a lot of drugs in the street no more. There's a lot less money, too. When I was a kid it was like having drugs was a luxury. Now, attitudes have changed. It's gotten crazier and crazier. More violent."
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