Update: Kevin Koster, a member of the former KCI Terminal Advisory Group, doesn't believe a Johnson County replacement for KCI will ever get off the ground.
Koster says only two options are available in the county: Overhaul New Century AirCenter in Olathe or start from scratch.
He says with New Century, the expansion would have to include a new runway.
"Those new runways, essentially your landing zone, would be what is now Falcon Ridge and Cedar Creek and I would imagine that the folks living on those golf courses would have a problem being a mile off of the runway," said Koster.
The hurdle with starting from scratch is the billion dollar question of where do developers find the space?
"Where are you going to put it? There’s no available land left. KCI is 10 thousand acres, so even if you take something a little bit smaller, look at a map. Find me a 10-thousand acre plot of land that is close to a highway, not close to an expansive subdivision. Has room to expand hotels and other commercial development and really the only thing you come up with would be the old sunflower armory plant," said Koster.
Shortly after public talks of renovating or rebuilding KCI halted, rumors that Kansas leaders were creating a plan to provide a Johnson County airport option started taking shape.
“There’s been rumblings about this for about a year or so since we hit the pause button on the KCI conversation,” said Kansas City 3rd District at-large councilman Quinton Lucas.
41 Action News confirmed Sunday that Governor Sam Brownback and Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer are exploring a Johnson County airport project.
Governor Brownback said in a statement:
“Airlines are requesting construction of a new single terminal airport at MCI, and the state of Kansas is continually looking for new economic development opportunities. With more than 50 percent of MCI passengers coming from Kansas, we are exploring the possibilities of this project.”
Lt. Gov. Colyer added:
“There is clearly potential for a modern terminal with lower enplanement costs and increased efficiencies for airlines with minimal taxpayer funding. An airport of this nature has the ability to generate enormous economic impact for the state and we owe it to Kansans to explore the feasibility of this project.”
Some in Johnson County are skeptical the project will become a reality, while others voiced concern of possible air traffic.
“Don't put one in my backyard,” said Shawnee resident Patricia Givens. “I already have military stuff going in from the different areas, I don't need the everyday commercial.”
“I think building one in Kansas is probably what? 10 to 15 years away so I don’t see that as realistic but hopefully that will give enough impetus to move forward with KCI,” said frequent KCI flyer and Johnson County resident Mike Grosko.
Lucas, who serves on Kansas City’s airport committee says the potential competition across the state line does up the stakes for KCI talks.
“I think I’d be lying if I said it didn't add any pressure, I think it does suggest to all of us who are involved in the KCI conversation that we should think about a real solution for the future,” said Lucas.
Details on where the Johnson County airport would be built and for how much, have not yet been revealed.
“I think it would be a multi-billion dollar project if that were to get started in Johnson County tomorrow or a year from now or 2 years from now,” said Lucas.
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Brian Abel can be reached at brian.abel@kshb.com.
