The Kansas City Council unanimously passed an ordinance Thursday afternoon that will put the question of a new KCI terminal before voters.
A week after delaying the vote, council passed the ordinance, which calls for a November 7 election asking voters if they authorize the city to construct a new passenger terminal at Kansas City International Airport and demolishing the existing the terminals.
Kansas City Mayor Sly James released the following statement about the future of KCI redevelopment.
“I’m glad we got this done," he said. “Now residents get to have their say on a generational project that can benefit Kansas Citians for decades to come. And I always have faith in our City to make progress together when residents have the facts, and understand the challenge at hand. I’m looking forward to talking with residents in the coming months about this critical decision we’ll make in November.”
The ordinance also includes a provision that all costs would be paid for solely from revenues generated by the airport and not by using any general airport revenue bonds. The ordinance continues that such bonds could be used, but doing so would require separate voter approval.
Voters will see this question on the ballot:
Ladies and gentlemen, your November #KCI ballot language. #NewKCI #DayAtKCI #TrustVoters #Unity 13-0 pic.twitter.com/ZWIDIUM2yh
— Quinton Lucas (@QuintonLucasKC) August 24, 2017
The decision to advance the ballot language is one of two tasks underway by members of the council in an effort to build a new airport.
A council airport selection committee is set to announce next Thursday which of the four proposals they recommend the council begin to work with should voters pass the November 7 question.
Previous coverage:
Developers pitch proposals for new KCI terminal to selection committee
