The city of Kansas City received proposals from four organizations interested in privately financing and building a new, 750,000-square-foot terminal at Kansas City International (MCI).
The proposers are:
- Burns & McDonnell KCI Hometown Team
- Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate LLC
- JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle Midwest LLC) and
- KCI Partnership LLC (led by AECOM Capital)
The proposers have until Aug. 10 to submit details of their financing plan, paid for by airport revenue, with no funds coming from the city’s general fund.
Proposals will not include owning and operating the airport once a new terminal is finished. The city plans to operate the terminal upon completion.
The Kansas City Council has decided to adjust its procurement process for this project in a few different ways. For one, details of the proposals will be released prior to a final contract being signed so residents have information they need in order to vote on the proposals in November. The council also is allowing more members than usual to attend the procurement selection committee meetings to increase public oversight for the process, according to a statement.
The city’s aviation department has been saying for years that MCI needs a new terminal to replace its current three-terminal setup because the buildings are old and obsolete. Discussions last year between the city and the airlines at MCI resulted in a plan that would have resulted in a new terminal. Until recently, however, the issue had been placed on the back burner by Mayor Sly James due to a lack of public support.
But Burns & McDonnell in May reignited the process when the local firm proposed a privately financed terminal. When more firms expressed interest in financing such a project, the city council decided to put out a request for proposals/qualifications that resulted in the bids received last week.
An announcement of the selected proposer is expected the week of August 14. Following that selection, the city and the selected proposer will develop a memorandum of understanding that will be voted on by the city council.
The council is separately considering ordinances that would establish language for the Nov. 7 ballot. To appear on the ballot, an ordinance must be approved by the city council by August 24.
