KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Members of an Edgemoor-led team recommendedto builda new terminal at Kansas City International Airport held a news conference Friday to reveal more details of their plan.
The event was held at local partner Clarkson Construction's headquarters in Kansas City's Northeast.
"Hometown is very important to us. We have a lot of sweat and blood here, and that's why we wanted this press conference here," Bill Clarkson said on Friday.
According to Clarkson, the new KCI terminal would create 3,500 to 4,500 construction jobs. The company plans to create a database of construction workers who are Kansas City residents for the project, providing them with additional training for their careers. Clarkson also said it would work with KCATA to provide transportation for the workers to and from the site and with local day cares for childcare.
Despite the fact most of them are coming from outside Kansas City, the Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate team tried to emphasize the investment and long-term impact they hope to make here.
"We're not here to just show up and move out when the project's done. We want to be here and be a good citizen in Kansas City for generations to come," Edgemoor Managing Director Geoffrey Stricker said.
Part of Friday's news conference was devoted to their planned outreach to local businesses. Clark Construction, another partner on the project, plans to bring its Strategic Partnership Program, which provides training for small businesses in construction, to Kansas City. The team also featured a subcontractor and workforce development program, which is specifically targeted at minority and women-owned businesses.
Noticeably missing from the presentation were any images of the Edgemoor team's vision for KCI. Architect Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) said that's because there is no design at this point.
"We've done this in every project, where we find with you the spirit of a place, the values that can be embodied in the look and feel of the airport," SOM's Derek Moore said.
SOM has also built terminals at JFK in New York, Logan International in Boston and at San Francisco International Airport.
For the KCI project, Moore said his firm will enlist local architects and engineers. The team will also rely on input from city officials and the public.
"We are rolling up our sleeves and working on that now, and I would be confident that we will have something for the voters to see prior to the election," Stricker said.
Only one council member attended Friday's press conference. Councilwoman Teresa Loar told 41 Action News she appreciated the Edgemoor team's willingness to listen to what Kansas Citians actually want for the new KCI terminal.
"You know we need to put it all in perspective, and they get extra points for being open and honest about that," Loar said.
Watch the full news conference below.
