Kansas City inaugurates the work of a single terminal at KCI airport

Mayor Sly James told hundreds of community, municipal, political and business leaders gathered Monday to celebrate the launch of the new $ 1.5 billion single terminal under construction at the International Airport. Kansas City.

"We were known as a city that would never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity," said James. "This is no longer the case."

James's remarks cover years of study, false starts, negotiations and political dramas. This comes more than a year after the majority of voters agreed to the city for the construction of a new airport.

For the personalities gathered under a tent near the A terminal with shutters, where the new installation will settle, it was a moment for the civic boaster. Teams already working on the demolition of the old ring-shaped terminal let James pounce on a runway hoe and cut down some of the concrete.

Now, it's rolling, Kansas City, "said Mitch Holthus, the Kansas City Chiefs' voice, who hosted the ceremony.

The construction of the 39-door facility is expected to last four years.

"In 2023 we will meet again here," said Geoff Stricker, general manager of the developer Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate, "but instead of arriving at a terminal, the time has passed you will arrive at the airport. one of the most artistic installations in the country. "

James and business leaders see the new terminal as an attraction hub for employers and a gateway to a city aspiring to become a destination of choice for tourists, conventions and sporting events.

When Kansas City pursues major conventions, the airport restrains him, added James, citing his attempts to land the Republican National Convention. He said the same thing about the lack of a convention hotel in the city last year.

James stated that the airport had a catalytic effect even though it was at least four years from the first passenger. The new convention hotel under construction near the Kansas City Convention Center and the city's competitive bid to host World Cup matches in 2026 are a direct result of its commitment to build a new airport terminal, did it? -he declares.

"Kansas City will continue the momentum that we become this world-class city that we have always known, but we are now ready to show the world," said James.

For James, the inauguration of Monday's work has put an end to one of his administration's most important projects, which will end Aug. 1. It is part of a record that includes the hotel, the creation and possible extension of a streetcar along Main Street, the passage of 800 million orders. obligations to improve the city's infrastructure and the ongoing revitalization of the downtown core.

The final test of James' influence will take place next week when voters will vote on the proposed 3/8 cent sales tax proposal to fund a pre-K expansion.

This inauguration also puts an end to a long winter, which is waiting for the airlines serving KCI to agree on the cost of the project.

In November, tension began when two small airlines – Allegiant and Spirit – announced they could not support the $ 1.64 billion deal. The airlines have asked for another study to check the terminal's price tag and have negotiated for weeks on how to apportion the $ 20 million annual cost of a new baggage claim system.

At the same time, municipal officials were trying to get approval from the Federal Aviation Administration that an environmental assessment of the site had to be completed before the work began.

A discussion about how to pay for design work and site preparation at the beginning became politically difficult when some council members objected to borrowing money from other parts of the city budget. The city has repeatedly promised not to use taxpayer money for the new airport. For some, the idea of ​​borrowing money, even temporarily, broke that promise.

In the end, city officials opted for a short-term bond that will be incorporated into the long-term financing plan of the airport. The city plans to issue bonds through the Industrial Development Authority, which will be reimbursed through airline fees for the use of the airport. In the event that airport receipts are not enough to service the debt, the airlines have agreed to guarantee it.

In conclusion, James thanked the voters who approved the new single terminal with over 75% of the vote in November 2017.

"In the end, none of us would have been here without the voters," James said.