Leawood residents have chance to weigh in on KCI debate
City council members agreed to host a presentation of A Better KCI at a work session meeting at 6 p.m. Aug. 7. The meeting will be in a town hall format allowing for an open dialogue. Leawood citizens are encouraged to attend and comment on building a new single-terminal facility at the same site, which is estimated to be a $1 billion project.
“The purpose is for you to voice your opinion,” Mayor Peggy Dunn said. “They don’t want to make an assumption and state publicly that Leawood is supportive of this unless they present to us and actually get feedback.”
Information on the KCI proposal is being presented by a partnership of regional business and civic leaders to area municipalities. The partnership includes the Kansas City Area Development Council, Northland Regional Chamber, Platte County Economic Development Corporation, and more working collectively to gain support for the proposal.
The Leawood Chamber Board of Directors voted to publicly lend support to the single-terminal concept earlier this month.
“While we do not specifically endorse any one vendor or plan, it is time for the metro area to invest in a new terminal at KCI,” said Kevin Jeffries, president and CEO of the Leawood Chamber and Economic Development Council. “We support the informational campaign for A Better KCI, which is focused on why we need a better KCI. We are encouraged to see several possible options to answer the what and the how question.”
Leawood residents won’t vote on the future of the airport, as Kansas City residents are expected to in November if public borrowing is considered in financing the project. However, Leawood residents who use KCI would help pay for the project through concessions, parking and ticketing fees.
In other news out of Leawood, the city council approved the sale of nearly $35 million in general obligation bonds and temporary notes to fund various projected capital improvements. Nine projects are covered under these bonds, including the replacement of Fire Station No. 1, the 2018 storm water drainage project, and improvements to 143rd Street-Windsor Lane to Kenneth Road.
The council also approved the final plans for two construction projects. Brookwood Elementary School will be demolished and rebuilt at its original location, 3411 W. 103rd St. The $18 million project will begin in the coming weeks. Details like landscaping, pavement, and the placement of parking stalls were adjusted to accommodate feedback.
First Federal Bank of Kansas City received the final go-ahead to begin work this month on the branch located at 8000 State Line Road. Built in 1975, the branch hasn’t been remodeled and still features its original artwork, bank technology, tapestries and carpeting. The bank will be completely remodeled, brought up to current building codes, and will receive a new sidewalk along State Line Road. The building will remain open during construction, which is expected to be completed no later than February 2018.
This story was originally published July 24, 2017 at 10:18 AM with the headline "Leawood residents have chance to weigh in on KCI debate."