KC Voters Would Not Support Airport Terminal Bonds

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DALLAS – A proposal to modernize Kansas City International Airport with a new $964 million passenger terminal financed with revenue bonds was grounded Tuesday by tepid public support for the project.

Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Sly James said the city council will not put the bond authorization on August's municipal ballot as requested last week by air carriers, who want to replace three existing terminals at Kansas City International (KDI) with a new one with additional gates. The airlines said a new terminal is needed to support an expected 40% growth in passengers by 2030.

"It's clear that our city isn't ready to move forward with the KCI conversation right now," he said. "Although I still feel that a new air terminal is inevitable, it's clear that the time is not now."

State law requires approval from Kansas City voters for the bonds, which would be supported by airport revenues, including passenger facility charges, Federal Aviation Administration grants, parking fees, and assessments on the airlines.

The project to modernize the airport that opened in 1972 will be revived eventually, James said.

"At some point, we're going to have to realize that this almost-50-year-old set of structures is going to have to do something to catch up modern day air travel and reality," he said.

"The time is not right for our city to do this," James said. "I think we are best served by pausing this conversation and focusing on our city's other priorities."

A recent poll found that voters would likely reject the bond question if it were on the August ballot, James said.

"In fact, less than 40% actually think moving forward with a new terminal paid for by the airlines is a good idea," he said. "We need a comprehensive change in our transportation system, and that includes our airport terminal. But I'm not willing to do this if we can't grow together as a city."

Councilwoman Teresa Loar, who opposes the single-terminal plan, said all discussions about upgrading the airport should be deferred until next year.

"I need a lot more convincing and I think the citizens of Kansas City feel the same way," she said.

The current configuration of the horseshoe-shaped passenger terminals allows easy access to ticket counters and baggage claim areas, she said.

"I definitely think the airport needs major renovations," Loar said. "Let's make it better, not tear it down and do what everyone else does. Kansas City loves its airport and they have said they want to keep it the way it is."

The poll of 800 likely Kansas City voters by Global Strategy Group found that 84% view KCI favorably, with only 11% having an unfavorable opinion.

A report to the council on the new terminal proposal in December said that rebuilding the existing terminals would cost more than $1 billion.

Steve Sisneros, director of airport affairs for Southwest Airlines, told the council in April that the airlines serving KCI are willing to help finance the new terminal project but will not pay for modernizing the existing terminals.

"We don't support the renovation," he said. "We believe the new terminal concept maximizes the dollars spent for both customer convenience and operational effectiveness."

Justin Meyer, deputy director of the city's aviation department, said a new terminal would have space for additional gates and more amenities for passengers after they go through security checkpoints.

"There's a lot of things in a 72-foot terminal that's in the shape of a horseshoe that don't allow us to accommodate some things that are expected," Meyer told council members last week.

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