The Mayor posted a column on his blog yesterday worth reading in its entirety (here).
If we are serious about making our City better; on our way to being the best, we are going to have to get comfortable with the concept of change. We can’t possibly be the best unless we are at least willing to consider changing systems, strategies or policies that hold us back. Sure, things are working well enough, but if we want to be the best we can never settle for “good enough.”
The last sentence above frankly is a mantra that we recite daily at our firm. The words “good enough” are not allowed. Period.
Similarly, KCI is now over 40-years-old . It is perhaps the most convenient airport around but convenience can’t be the only factor considered in a billion dollar issue. There are serious and significant issues with how the airport functions, in terms of profitability, efficiency, utilization, airline usage and safety. The practical business, development and financial aspects of operating a safe and efficient major metropolitan airport must be considered in the overall discussion of major systems in this City. Again, it’s time we had an adult discussion about the facts and make a reasoned decision.
Again, I agree. That said, I think that to accept the current single-terminal proposal for KCI would be to settle for “good enough.”
Kansas City can do better. This is the city that when I was a kid, while other cities were building large multi-purpose stadiums, built the Truman Sports Complex. Those other stadiums have been replaced. The updated Truman Sports Complex stands as a testimonial to Kansas City ingenuity and to not settling for “good enough.”
KCI is another example. 40-years after opening, passengers still rave about the foresight in design and efficiency, even with the unforeseen effects brought by 9/11 and airline consolidation. Their passion is on display in the nearly 200 comments posted here in the last two weeks, most by people who likely (like me) don’t normally take the time to insert themselves into the public debate.
Please, let’s take a collective deep breath, press the pause button on this proposal and let’s get it right.
Yes Mr. Mayor, let’s not settle for “good enough.”
The good Mayor of KC is correct but when you apply the cost of $1.2B then keeping current is no longer reasonable.
I’ve always been under the impression that airlines will fly to where people need or want to go. And as much as I love my hometown, this is not a destination city and as such the demands for an airport that the City envisions will not attract more flights.
I am quite sure the Mayor and city like this project to help get expanded airline service in KC, a very desirable feature of any city.
Airlines will go where they can maximize revenue and cut operating costs. This project is to be funded by bonds that in turn are paid back from ticket revenue that airlines charge for tickets. If you lower costs to the airline, you lower ticket prices and you raise traffic, a desirable effect from everyone’s point of view.
Expanding the terminal parking garages to 12 levels, adding a 2nd floors to terminals A and B for ticketing and security leaving a wide open gate level that is completely secure, perfect for revenue producing shops, restaurants, bars and waiting lounges. Terminal C is leased for private use as 90 gates are not necessary.
Imagine parking in an affordable covered parking lot. Walking to an elevator down to level 2, across a sky-bridge to a centrally located singe TSA security area. Down an escalator to a spacious gate level.
This could all be done for a fraction of the $ 1.2 billion projected for the mayors project. Have you been to Arrowhead or Kaufman. They are 40 years old and had a lot more done than adding some parking and sky-bridges. They look great for a fraction of the cost of this project. DON’T THROW OUT THE BABY WITH THE BATHWATER