Having just finished its second year, the Parkville Economic Development Council (EDC) has set its sights on an area integral to the future of Parkville — the Interstate 435 corridor. Parkville EDC Executive Director Jenni Glass recently presented the EDC’s annual report to the Parkville Board of Aldermen, including a report on the work of the Interstate 435 Corridor Task Force.
Made up of members such as interim City Administrator Sean Ackerson, EDC Chair Erik Bergrud, Alderman Nan McManus and others, the task force studies the possible uses for land at Interstate 435 and Highway 45 and Highway 152 and Interstate 435.
In early 2012, Kansas City International Airport (KCI) officials were exploring the possibility of a new single-site airport terminal and main entrance on Highway 152 just east of Parkville.
If this had happened, it created the potential for commercial development along the corridor, but in July, airport officials announced they were exploring another location for the new proposed terminal. The new plan calls for Terminals B and C to be retrofitted to accommodate commercial office space due to the existing parking. The new terminal would be located where Terminal A currently resides.
While this has reduced the need for new office and commercial space, the task force has determined that possibilities still exist.