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Group withholds support for new KCI terminal unless more minorities are hired

Posted at 5:28 PM, Sep 13, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-13 21:06:08-04

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A group of minority business owners and civil rights leaders announced Wednesday they are withholding support for a new KCI terminal. 

As reasons for their decision, the KCI Airport Urban Consortium cited a lack of transparency in the process, as well as deficiencies in Edgemoor's proposal when it comes to minority-owned business and workforce participation. 

The group expressed concern that the Edgemoor-led team never reached out to the black and latino communities, while Burns & McDonnell and AECOM did.

"We are here to promote and foster inclusion and equity on this project for the communities we serve. It would not be in our best interest to shun Edgemoor. Edgemoor has shunned us," Gwendolyn Grant of the Urban League, a member of the consortium, said.

At a news conference Wednesday, the group announced it will not support the KCI terminal project unless the city and developer set a 40 percent goal for minority-owned business and workforce participation. 

Edgemoor's current proposal offers 20 percent minority-owned business participation for construction and 17 percent for professional services.

 

 

 

Edgemoor Managing Director Geoffrey Stricker told 41 Action News he "welcomes the opportunity" to sit down with the KCI Airport Urban Consortium. Stricker added he is reaching out to schedule a meeting.

The KCI Airport Urban Consortium is comprised of the Black Chamber of Greater Kansas City, Black United front Kansas City Chapter, NAACP Kansas City Chapter, SCLC of Greater Kansas City, Urban League of Greater Kansas City and the Urban Summit.