The start of construction for a new Kansas City International Airport terminal is moving ahead after the city council approved an ordinance on Thursday, Feb. 28.
An ordinance was given a green light, 11-1, to forge ahead with the construction of a modern terminal.
The new terminal will be built at the site of the closed Terminal A and is expected to open in early 2023.
“I’m pleased that we are continuing to move forward to get this done because at the end of the day that’s what’s important for our residents and the future of our city,” mayor Sly James said.
This milestone is a significant step in a process that started with the City’s selection of Edgemoor as the developer in September 2017, and the approval of 75 percent of Kansas City voters in November 2017.
The ordinance includes a development agreement with Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate, as well as the developer’s guaranty, terminal workforce enhancement program and the airlines’ use and lease term sheet.
This approval allows the Aviation Department and Edgemoor to begin demolition of Terminal A, and to start building the new terminal. Construction activity is expected to begin in late March.
Two other major approvals were a majority of the airlines have signing the term sheet for the project financing. This approval is signed by seven airlines representing 95.5% of airline volume at KCI. Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant didn’t sign the agreement. Those that did were: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, FedEx and UPS.
Also, the Federal Aviation Administration recently approved the project’s Environmental Assessment
Next, City Council will consider gap financing, the airline use and lease agreement and bond issuance for the $1.5 billion project.
“This is a great day for Kansas City,” Geoffrey Stricker, managing director, Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate said. “The City Council’s support of the Ordinance allows our team to advance design and construction activities, put people to work, and activate the programs and services we’ve committed to providing to the region. Edgemoor made a promise to Kansas Citians to deliver a transformational new terminal and we are ready to move forward.”
The new terminal will feature 39 gates, with infrastructure to support future expansion. More than one million square feet will provide room for improved and efficient security, ample amenities, and more bathrooms. The new terminal will include a two-level curbside drop-off and pickup area which will be more convenient and less crowded for travelers. Also, waiting areas at each gate will be larger to accommodate the increasing number of passengers on modern aircraft.
An average of 800 workers would be on the job site on any given day during most phases of construction. Terminals B & C will continue normal operations during construction.