© 2024 Kansas City Public Radio
NPR in Kansas City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Critic Of One-Terminal KCI Airport On Mayoral Panel

Dan Verbeck
/
KCUR

The “beginning” of a long process, is the way Kansas City Mayor Sly James describes work of a panel  he has set up to study future use of KCI Airport.

The group includes a strong critic of the current plan for a single terminal.

Mayor James said he expects input from a wide range of interests, from locals who love KCI the way it is, and from visitors who find fault with three terminals.

The study group will be led by Architect Bob Berkebile  and retired executive David Fowler who is also President of the American Royal.

The 22 other members represent labor, the philanthropic community, construction and former KCK Mayor Joe Reardon.

Standing out in this group is Northland adman Kevin Koster who started the website SaveKCI.org to protest airport changes being approved at City Hall, saying today,  “when I started this site originally it was, we are only hearing one side of the story here. The hard questions didn’t seem to be being asked. And so somebody needs to be asking them.”  Koster adds, “ I applaud the Mayor for stepping up and doing it.”

The single terminal plan already had the Mayor and Council approval to proceed.

But James said he is open to change if the panel makes a case for it.

KCUR serves the Kansas City region with breaking news and award-winning podcasts.
Your donation helps keep nonprofit journalism free and available for everyone.