KCI 

taking off ... again by chris becicka

Propelled by increasing passenger load, remodeling will begin this spring for a major updating of Kansas City International Airport (KCI). Swept away in the remodeling will be the landmark oak floors of the 30-year old terminal, replaced by longer lasting and easier to maintain terrazzo.

The numbers behind the planning are interesting. Nearly 12 million passenger traveled through KCI in 1999. People drive from Des Moines, Omaha, Wichita and Columbia to take advantage of our competitive low airfares. Over half of KCI travelers spend two hours in the terminal - no wonder the wood floors have been worn clear though in some areas.

The entire project will include realignment of airlines, some to different terminals in other buildings, as well as expansion of a number of gates allotted to some airlines. Southwest Airlines will add two more gates and unassigned gates will allow for expansion of other airlines operations. The project also includes the more "hidden" upgrades to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, updated fire safety features, new roofing and exterior glazing.

Construction on A and C terminals will begin in March. Construction on B terminal is expected to begin five months later. Construction will continue on all three terminals until anticipated completion in 2004, according to Bret Pilney, Burns & McDonnell project manager. "Construction areas will be walled-off to protect passengers and employees," Pilney said. While construction in underway in a section of each terminal, pedestrians will be routed through a covered walkway along the outside of the terminal."

One of the most popular features at KCI is the "drive-to-the-gate" curbside convenience. During construction, the first three lanes closest to the terminal will be closed to allow for the pedestrian walkway and construction vehicle access. Thus, traffic will be routed to the three lanes furthest from the terminal. The best way to manage drop-off and pick-up situations during construction will be to park in the terminal parking garage directly across from each terminal.

Of special interest to travelers will be new, larger, consolidated passenger holding areas, new ticketing areas, a new baggage handling system, additional concessions and an added parking garage tunnel to Terminal C. The customer driven improvements are planned as a result of a 1996 KCI customer survey.

"Give us a taste of Kansas City," survey respondents said. More concession areas are being added, with an emphasis on local companies such as Boulevard Beer and K.C. Masterpiece barbecue, both recent additions to Terminal C. More space is being carved out within each terminal building to provide additional concessionaires.

Adding televisions to passenger waiting areas was also suggested. KCI is the 33rd busiest airport in the nation and CNN is on its way to the terminals. Better signage was also requested. Flight and baggage information technology is being upgraded as a result.

"Essentially, we're going to gut all three terminals and finish with an airport that runs more efficiently, looks more modern and has incorporated technology that will bring us into the 21st century," said Phil Brown, deputy director of Airport Operations with the Kansas City Aviation Department.

Kansas City-based Burns & McDonnell is the Client Rep-resentative and Program Manager of this significant project. HNTB is the Aviation expert and lead architect. CDFM2 Architecture Inc. is the Lead Architect for all public spaces for terminal renovations, and they are responsible for design and construction of all passenger level spaces. Three kinds of funding is being used for the project, all airport revenues. These include passenger facility charge backed bonds, general airport revenue bonds, and airport funds.

Since opening in 1972, passenger use has steadily increased, increasing last year alone by nearly 5 percent over 1998. In response, flights in and out of the airport have increased proportionately. The increased terminal traffic has added its own wear and tear to facilities.

Speaking in "PR-ese" from the Aviation Department, Joe McBride, said he expects the old oak flooring to be a "communication challenge." Even more delicately, John Gaar, vice president of CDFM2, called it a "difficult prospect to address."

"The wood is really paper thin in spots," Gaar said. "It was a good/bad situation. The oak flooring created a unique and soft atmosphere but created a multitude of main- tenance problems."

It is not entirely impossible, McBride admitted, that if area residents feel as strongly as Chief fans did after removal of the artificial turf at Arrowhead, airport authorities may look again at disposal of the wood strips.

Older residents remember that, when KCI opened, the two chief topics of conversation were the drive-up access to three terminals and the wood floors.

"In designing the new structure, we were actually starting from scratch while leaving the old structure in place," said Gaar. Acting as a consultant to HNTB, CDFM2 provides project management and design oversight of public spaces in the new areas, including ticketing, waiting room and baggage areas. "CDFM2's prime consideration was to celebrate the unique aspects of the terminals, and improve functional attributes that will enhance the air traveler's experience and improve maintainability and operational considerations," said Gaar.

Because officials want to make every effort to minimize disruption, travelers and others who want to check progress may visit the website at www.iflykansascity.com. Once construction starts, a toll-free information number will provide access information for travelers so they can make sure their travel that day is not disrupted by inconvenient changes. "Our goal is to make the transition as smooth as possible by keeping the public informed of what changes are being made and how those changes will affect passengers and tenants at the airport," said Pilney.

The attention to the customer that Pilney says is so important has already paid off for KCI. The airport recently was honored with the Grand Prix du Voyage 2000 World Travel Award in two categories -- as the Most People-Friendly Airport and the Best Friend of the Environment among all airports worldwide.

The award was given based upon the opinions garnered from surveys of 47,550 people comprised of readers of Travel Digest/U.S. Travel Industry Monthly and Travel Digest International, and members of the American Association of Travel Editors.

"To be recognized among airports worldwide for people-friendliness and environmental-friendliness validates the design of KCI and the efforts of Kansas City Aviation Department personnel, the airlines and our other tenants," said Director of Aviation Russ Widmar. "Winning the Grand Prix du Voyage strengthens our commitment to these and other important areas of KCI's operation."