New KCI proposal could be a game changer — or sink quickly

A team with impressive aviation-related credentials thinks it has sketched out a cheaper and better way to renovate Kansas City International Airport.

Boosters are hailing the proposal as a way to avoid construction of a new, single terminal, a possibility that has attracted plenty of public opposition in recent years.

The latest development in the excruciatingly long and controversial discussion over KCI’s future is intriguing. And it also could be quickly tossed aside as being unfeasible and too costly.

The city’s consultants need to look closely at the just-unveiled proposal to see whether it might be the best choice to pursue. That certainly would be vindication for supporters of the current KCI. They say its convenience for passengers trumps its many defects, including lack of modern amenities and an all-round dumpy image.

Or, the consultants could find that some suggested improvements in the new plan could be incorporated in the renovation proposals the council received late last year. Again, this could mean the city would have a stronger case to pursue remaking existing terminals rather than building a lone terminal.

However, the consultants also must look closely for any and all design flaws and costly mistakes the new proposal might include. Those findings, if they come, could derail the initiative and put the City Council back on the path of building a new terminal.

Throughout all of this work, the city needs to reach out to the airlines that use KCI. While nothing has been decided, Southwest Airlines, the airport’s biggest customer, and the other companies have appeared ready to favor construction of a brand new terminal.

Fortunately, the latest plan for revamping KCI likely will not slow the vetting process. A top city official said consultants could have their review of it wrapped up in the next two weeks.

When that happens, the City Council and Mayor Sly James must decide when to do another side-by-side comparison between renovation and building a new terminal. The public is keenly interested in this topic.

Just last month, consultants and the airlines said they wanted to focus on building a single terminal because it would be a cheaper and better option than renovation.

The proposed costs in 2015 dollars ranged from $964 million for the lowest-priced new terminal to $1.19 billion for the most expensive renovation. As always, it’s important to note that airport users would pay for most of the project through ticket fees, parking and concessions. City tax revenues are not at stake.

James and plenty of civic leaders seem pretty much on board with replacing the 43-year-old, horseshoe-shaped terminals. They argue that a new facility would still be convenient for passengers while also offering them modern technology, larger waiting rooms and more restrooms.

City officials need to determine if the new KCI proposal is a game changer — or if it will collapse under intense scrutiny, clearing the way for a different outcome.

This story was originally published January 20, 2016 at 4:32 PM with the headline "New KCI proposal could be a game changer — or sink quickly."