For those excited to look at designs for what could potentially be Kansas City's new airport, you may be waiting a while.
The team recommended by a selection committee to design, build and finance a new, single-terminal — led by Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate — says the design should come collaboratively, by engaging with the city and its residents.
"We don't come with preconceived ideas," architect Derek Moore said at a press conference on Friday. "No two of our terminal buildings look the same. We find that design, we collaborate with you to develop it."
Moore directs the aviation practice at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), who will lead the design for the project.
Friday's press conference was the first introduction to the Edgemoor team, which remained quiet during the procurement process, unlike some of the other competing companies.
Besides Edgemoor and SOM, the team includes co-developer Meridiam Infrastructure, Clark Construction, Weitz Company and Kansas City-based Clarkson Construction.
Their proposal did not include images or renderings of a new terminal. Rather, it relied on its experience on several other airport projects and gave the city multiple financing options — something the selection committee says helped it beat out its competitors.
Although Edgemoor isn't local (it's based in Bethesda, Maryland,) Managing Director Geoffrey Stricker says they're committed to developing strong partnerships with firms in the Kansas City area and creating opportunities for minority- and women-owned firms. The team estimated the project could create up to 4,500 jobs in construction alone.
"It's critical to us to have local partners ... We plan to be committed to Kansas City, not just for this project but for the long haul," Stricker said. "We're not here to just show up and move out when the project's done. We wan to be here and be a good citizen in Kansas City for generations to come."
Sticker said that the collaboration of local partners with national and international leaders will ultimately result in the best possible airport for the city.
Members of the Edgemoor team also touted their success working with minority- and women-owned businesses in the past. Wesley Stith with Clark Construction said he wants to bring a 10-month development program to Kansas City that would train small firms to work on projects of this magnitude.
Before Edgemoor can get to work on finalizing a design and a financial approach, the full city council must approve the recommendation by the selection committee.
Then, the council and city officials will go full speed ahead on a campaign urging voters to vote "yes" on a new terminal.
Councilwoman Teresa Loar, who has been a skeptic of the entire process, says she's not worried about asking people to approve a new terminal without a rendering of what it would look like yet.
"I think people are going to make up their minds, probably, the day before the election ... They're going to keep their airport or they want a new one," Loar says.
Stricker says the plan is to have a design with renderings before the November election.
Lisa Rodriguez is a reporter and the afternoon newscaster for KCUR 89.3. Connect with her on Twitter @larodrig.
