Gradually and rationally, momentum is building to move ahead with construction of a new, single terminal at Kansas City International Airport.
I didn’t see yesterday’s development coming — and maybe that’s the way city officials wanted it — but for a Southwest Airlines official, as well as an outside consultant, to say publicly that renovating KCI’s existing terminals would cost more than building a new, single terminal is a significant jerk of the needle.
The needle of progress, is what I’m talking about.
I realize a lot of people — thousands and thousands of people — still need to be convinced of the wisdom of a single, modern terminal. But more than ever, I now have real hope that an attitude shift will come.
The Star’s editorial this morning framed the debate perfectly, I thought…
“Kansas City should focus on what it would take to construct a new terminals and, for now, stop looking at major renovations to the current terminals.”
I have been saying this for well over a year now: The current, multi-terminal design, while convenient, is no longer practical and has outlived its usefulness. In addition, as I have said many times — and as is as clear as the realization that the Royals need another starting pitcher — KCI sucks.
The bullpen holding areas…the lack of a common security checkpoint…the dearth of any decent food places (not to mention shopping possibilities)…the dark, depressing environment…It’s a disaster.
And…it’s getting worse by the day. The movement to scrub the multi-terminal design began with the Aviation Department in 2012, and the Aviation Department is still pushing hard for modernization. So, do you think we’ll see the department pouring a lot of money into maintaining and improving what we’ve got now?
By benign neglect, the Aviation Department has the power to make KCI unbearable. I don’t think that will happen, but continued deterioration is what we’re going to get at the 47-year-old airport.
…We’ve seen tremendous improvements and modernization in our city during the last decade. Sprint Center is an unqualified, booming success; the Power & Light District has played a pivotal role in downtown resuscitation; the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is a stunning jewel; the Crossroads district is a terrific, southward extension of downtown and a powerful attraction for residents and tourists alike. And if you drive Main Street these days and see those steel rails going down, you can feel in your bones (drive it, you’ll feel it, I guarantee it) that the streetcar is going to be a powerful lure…again, for residents and tourists alike.
In the midst of all that progress, to stand pat with a rundown, pathetic airport is like buying a house and totally renovating it inside but keeping the broken-down furniture and refusing to paint the exterior.
Yes, building a new terminal at the site of Terminal A and razing terminals B and C is an expensive “paint job.” But it needs to happen for Kansas City to continue to call itself a first-class city and for us to remain competitive with cities like St. Louis, Louisville, Tampa and Nashville.
Next year, very likely, we will get a chance to vote on whether to keep Kansas City moving forward or to continue wallowing in the quicksand of “convenience.”
Come on, Kansas Citians, let’s put the broken down Laz-Y-Boy on the curb, hire a good painting crew and finish the makeover of this great place we call home!
JimmyCsays: At the juncture of journalism and daily life in KC 
Actually, Fitz, the movement to build a single terminal at KCI has been going on much longer than 3 years. I first wrote about this in July 2007. Reaction to that story was as vitriolic as it is now. I don’t fly enough to render an absolute opinion on whether to keep or dump the three terminal system. However, the multiple security checkpoints and HVAC systems needed in the current configuration need to be heavily considered by those who oppose the single-terminal design. I’m sure that it’s not cheap.
You don’t really have to fly a lot to make this call, Mike. I’m talking about the overall betterment of the city. That, to me, is as important as dumping a badly functioning and embarrassing airport. The bonus is getting to experience a modern and attractive airport on the occasions when you do use it.
Sly James has approached this carefully and wisely. Nobody wanted to take the Aviation Dept.’s recommendation on its face. So, Sly appointed the Berkebile committee, which studied the issue for more than a year before coming to the same conclusion. Now we’ve got Southwest pointing to the wisdom of a single terminal…A slow, deliberate but persistent pace is the right way to go on this. It will take a long time to convince a majority of people that our mayor is pointing us in the right direction. Kay Barnes did the same thing with downtown, and look at the benefits of that well-devised campaign. Downtown’s reversal should stand as evidence of what visionary leadership can achieve.
Very good points, Fitz. I have stated this before on your blog but I think it’s worth reiterating that many of the reasons cited for building a single terminal do not resonate with the traveling public. They don’t care about HVAC systems or the logistical nightmares of staffing several dozen checkpoints. They don’t care whether a gift shop owner at KCI goes out of business. They only care about how quickly they get through the security lines and how quickly they can get their luggage and get to their cars. I think we both know that is short-sighted thinking. But it is what backers of this proposal will have to overcome when they put it to a vote.
“They only care about how quickly they get through the security lines and how quickly they can get their luggage and get to their cars.”
Precisely why I like the current setup. I can walk off the plane and be home in Raytown in 30-45 minutes. I’m not looking to buy gifts at any airport. The places I visit have plenty of gift shops outside the airport and the prices are much better. Airports grossly overcharge for goods purchased at the terminal.
You’ll have to move pretty soon, Jason, to get to vote on this…
Move to KC? No plans of that and wouldn’t do it to vote on the airport, street car or any other money pit that you guys love to throw money at. There may be people at P&L, but it is not generating anything close to what was projected. You want to turn the airport into a mall? Fine, but who’s flying to KC? And will they show up just because we have a nice airport.
You complain about a 47 year old airport, but a fair amount of the sewer system in KC has been around over a century. Wouldn’t it be nice if the intersections didn’t flood every time we get more than an inch of rain?
What about those poor people in the 5th district you care so much about, who haven’t had their sewer improvements that they were promised 20 years ago when the Freedom Inc. boys were running the show. We’ll see how they do now that it’s back in their hands.
I’m with Jason on this one – there’s no proof that a new, single terminal airport will generate millions in tourism dollars. There’s also no getting away from the fact that the cost of the project will eventually lighten Kansas City residents’ pockets, regardless of what city officials may claim – just look at Union Station, P&L and the seemingly eternally stalled billion dollar sewer/water project as examples.
C’mon, Fitz – this is a city noteworthy -over the course of several city hall administrations- for claiming they’ve no money to tend to our fountains, streets, sidewalks and lights. And now they want to go (deeper) into debt to rebuild the airport? For what? Ambience? Civic pride? Hogwash.
If they don’t build new stuff, they can’t steal from it. JE Dunn and the bond lawyers and bankers aren’t going to get richer fixing a few fountains and maintaining the sewers.
OK, My cute little meme of flogging a dead horse only seems to show up on the computer I posted the reply from. No idea who or what craigboyce.com is all about. Guess I gotta quit posting memes. “sigh”
Oh, exalted moderator, will we ever get a “edit” button???
Leave the imagery to me, please.
So it looks like we are moving toward a “yes” decision on rebuilding KCI into a modern facility. Now comes the hard part, which will make or break the project. Will the rebuild be a desicive positive, or a boondoggle. Look outside for examples of airports that are consistent award winners, as viewed by the travelers themselves.
Portland, Oregon for example.
“Travelers named Portland International Airport (PDX) the best airport in the United States in Travel + Leisure surveys in 2013 and 2014 and four times from 2006 to 2010 in the Condé Nast Traveler Business Travel Awards. Why do they love PDX? An easy light rail connection to downtown, free Wi-Fi, great local food and drink (including microbrews and craft spirits) and tax-free shopping with no markups are just a few of the reasons.”
A light rail connection to downtown, such as Portland’s, is a critical part of a modern airport service. Is Kansas City ready and willing to make light rail investment part of the airport plan?
Without light rail, the KCI plan will become just another “average” U.S. Airport. I’ve ridden Portland’s light rail to and from their airport many times. It is always relatively full and the five dollar cost is a considerable savings over a fifty dollar cab ride, or a hefty parking bill when parking at the airport for anything more than a day trip.
Go for the Gold, don’t settle for Silver.
Light rail? We ain’t got no light rail. We don’t need no light rail. I don’t have to show you any stinkin’ light rail! We got streetcars!
Another great blog Jim and as frequent I enjoy reading the comments from the rabble almost as much as your soap box.
Pam just came back from 10 days in Portland visiting family. 1.5 hours to beach 1.0 hrs to mtn, Columbia R. just outside the door, great transportation system, trendy neighborhoods, what’s not to like. Jim, you’ve inspired me. I’ve just bought 5 gallons of paint and put that worn out LZ Boy on the curb. We’re mov’n to Portland …………….. sure there is a drought, significant unemployment and I know they are scheduled to drop off into the Pacific soon but that doesn’t seem to be holding their city back.
What is so fascinating about this tale of two cities or states or or is a story line of how KCMO & it’s hardscrabble residents provide most (all ?) of the hard core infrastructure needed to be a viable destination city for everyone whilst the money crowd and a significant tax base continues to live outside the fence line and drive in for their entertainment or business needs.
Do I enjoy or use all of the upgrades made to KC over the last 15+ years. Nope. But I am grateful and appreciate that someone with vision and leadership pushed to upgrade a worn out city in spite of the low moral, less than enthusiastic support, lack of community vision that seemingly curses public works in good ol KCMO. Do I approve of the frivolous use of my taxes to indenture me to wasteful public projects? Hell no. The Vibe, the talk, the buffet of small shops, eateries, distillery/brewers, live entertainment venues continues to grow and that, surely , must be some dynamic outgrowth of the critical mass created by the public space/places over these last years. And in fact to some real degree there is, in some areas of the city, a tangible Portland vibe.
Currently one/the biggest impediments to enjoyment of this city to me is parking and transportation. I want, expect and will vote to change that situation. Does that include a new airport? Well I don’t need it but I do think my city does and not for the gift stores and snack bars but for the current and perceived advancements of travel in this 21st century “To infinity and beyond.” And yes I will continue to press for better sewage and drainage lines too since my house and neighborhood dates from 1900.
When a no vote is the major management tool used to govern for the benefit of it’s citizenry without regard for a vision of progress and future use of their city it’s really time to move on.
Oops gotta go just saw the moving van pull up outside. Gotta get to Portland now so I can ride that tsunami when it comes in. Jim, we’ll send you a postcard when we get there and please come visit anytime.