Airport Experience News Fall 2022

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couldn’t have anticipated the pandemic either, but Meyer says f lexibility is built into the design. We’ve really focused on creating wide open, functional, and adjustable spaces,” he says. “Take, for example, the security checkpoints. We know that airport security is going to continue to evolve. We designed the new security checkpoint area to be really wide open and really adaptable in the new terminal. We’ve tried to future proof as much as possible knowing that there are a lot of things we don’t know.” The new terminal will be a big departure, design-wise, to what is currently in place. While Kansas City voters ultimately approved the project in 2017, the community still had reservations. Meyer says he believes the community will appreciate the attention to detail that went into the new terminal. “We didn’t replace a convenient airport with something that feels more like a Chicago O’Hare or an Atlanta, where there’s lots of walking and trams,” Meyer says. “It’s still going to be an easy facility to use. And once you get to your gate, it’s no longer going to be about [there being] not enough seats, not enough outlets, or nothing to eat,” he adds, referencing the peculiar layout of the current terminal that has security checkpoints every few gates, leading to cramped hold rooms with minimal access to concessions post security.

“We’re going to really shine through all of those expectations of travelers and I’m really proud of the team that’s done the work to get us there,” Meyer adds. The Vision The new terminal is under construction under a public-private partnership agreement, with Edgemoor Infrastructure and Real Estate as developer on the project. Edgemoor is responsible for delivering a 39-gate, one million square foot terminal, a 6,300-space parking garage, a new dual roadway and other landside and airside improvements. Edgemoor Senior Managing Director Geoffrey Stricker notes that his company seized the opportunity to build a brand new terminal – such opportunities are rare in the U.S. because most terminals are renovated and expanded, rather than mothballed in favor of something brand new. “The airport is the first thing people see when they arrive, and the last when they leave,” says Stricker. “We wanted to make this airport terminal represent the best of Kansas City and demonstrate to the world that the world class city of Kansas City has world class airport.” He notes that Edgemoor engaged the community about the design and amenities. The developer also committed to using local businesses in construction. “It was really important to us as a team…to recognize the

impact that this project, which is the single largest infrastructure project in Kansas City’s history, could have onminority and women owned businesses,” Stricker says. “We set very high goals for minority and women-owned business participation on the project, both on professional services and construction” he continues, noting the firm was seeking 20%minority and 15%women participation in both. “We have exceeded every goal that we’ve set out on the project,” he says. Concessions and Amenities As the final months of construction wind down, efforts to ensure a world-class level of concessions and amenities are underway. Top on that list is a new concessions program. In the terminals currently in use, concessions are mainly airside due to the unusual configuration of multiple security checkpoints and very limited post-security square footage. Revenues from concessions are some of the lowest in the United States, on a per-passenger basis. The new terminal, of course, will have wide open access to a predominantly post security concessions program. In October 2021, the Kansas City Council voted to award a $1.5 billion concessions contract to Vantage Airport Group . The agreement, which spans 15 years, calls for Vantage to invest $64 million in the program. Vantage par tnered with OHM Concession Group for food and beverage concessions, and with Marshall Retail Group for the retail component. When complete, 80 percent of the eating and shopping experiences will be local, organized by regionally inspired Kansas City neighborhood zones, including City Market, 18th & Vine, Stockyards, Union Station & Downtown, and Brookside. Vantage said the Kansas City “sense of place” will be achieved with local brands like Made in KC, Bo Lings, Stockyards Brewing, Charlie Hustle, Old World Spices, Bloom Baking Co., Parisi Coffee, City Market Roastery, and more. Vantage committed to achieving 60 percent participation by ACDBEs, vastly exceeding the project’s stated goal of 16 percent.

Left: Open spaces and natural light are key design components in the new terminal, which replaces two horseshoe-shaped terminals currently in use.

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