KCI’s future deserves more public scrutiny

Behind the scenes, city and airline officials are trying to broker an agreement that would lead to the renovation or replacement of the terminals at Kansas City International Airport.

The negotiations are far from settled. But the public remains extremely interested in the outcome, given the general appreciation for the convenience of the current KCI.

It’s thus appropriate that the City Council is scheduled to hold a business session on Jan. 22 to hear from consultants who are working on a potential deal.

City officials are hoping for a reasonable, not-too-costly plan that the airlines will be solidly behind, one that retains the convenience factor but also gives Kansas City a more modern airport. If such a proposal emerges, goes the thinking at City Hall, it will be easier to sell to voters.

Mayor Sly James in 2013 appointed a citizens commission to review the matter, and in mid-2014 it favored building a new terminal, an option that appears unpopular with many residents. However, the panel’s finding was shoved to the side once the city and airlines began negotiating.

Airport users — not city taxpayers, per se — ultimately would pay for most of the costs to build the eventual project. Kansas Citians deserve to know what kind of progress is being made.

The Jan. 22 meeting should provide as many details as possible.

This story was originally published January 8, 2015 at 5:33 PM with the headline "KCI’s future deserves more public scrutiny."