A Kansas City-based architecture firm presented alternate KCI renovation plans to the public on Wednesday night, saying they are far cheaper than options proposed by aviation consultants.
Crawford Architects says its renovation plans would keep the current horseshoe design of the airport, while addressing security and retail needs for the future.
Architect Stacey Jones presented the plans to the public at the Plaza Branch of the Kansas City Public Library on Wednesday.
During a slideshow, Jones showed how his company’s renovation plan would double the width of Terminal A at KCI.
The plan would also add more parking garage and retail space, while consolidating security checkpoints around the horseshoe.
Jones said the renovations at Terminal A could also be applied to Terminals B & C.
The total cost of the renovation plans from Crawford Architects is far cheaper than options presented to City Council by aviation consultants. Jones said his renovation plan would cost around $335 million per terminal.
However, according to plans presented by aviation consultants, their version of renovations would cost around $1.1 billion. They say building a new terminal, on the other hand, would be cheaper, at around $964 million.
Crawford Architects put its renovation plans together after being approached by City Council member Teresa Loar.
While Crawford revealed its plans after the city took design proposals, Jones said the group has not been able to formally present the plans to city leaders.
“That conduit of information has not been opened up to us,” he said on Wednesday. “That conduit to get our ideas across has not been opened up."
Documents from airline consultants detail how the renovation plans from Crawford Architects do not meet all the future requirements needed for KCI.
Jones maintained though that many people prefer the horseshoe design over a total rebuilding of the airport.
“It is cheaper to renovate,” Jones explained. “It seems to have struck a chord with a lot of people."
Wednesday’s meeting came a day after airline and aviation leaders made a presentation to the Airport Committee of City Council.
During the meeting on Tuesday, the Kansas City Aviation Department presented findings showing how a new terminal would offer more conveniences than the current design of KCI.
Kansas City Aviation Department Deputy Director of Aviation Justin Meyer said a new terminal could accommodate a number of conveniences, including more restaurants, bathrooms after security, play areas, and business lounges that the horseshoe design cannot offer.
“There's a lot of things in a 72-foot terminal that's in the shape of a horseshoe that don't allow us to accommodate some things that are expected," explained Meyer.
The future of KCI is still to be decided.
The City Manager’s Office will make a formal recommendation on April 26 to City Council on a plan to either renovate or rebuild KCI. City Council will then vote on whether to approve the plan.
The future of KCI will ultimately be voted on by the public. A vote on the issue could come later this year.
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Tom Dempsey can be reached at Tom.Dempsey@KSHB.com.
