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WEBVTT HERE ARE PLACES THEYCOULD GO.IT THE MAYOR SAYS ONE OPTIONCOULD BE JOHNSON COUNTY.>> TEAM MADE IT CLEAR TODAY HETHINKS THE AIRLINES ARE RUNNINGOUT OF PATIENCE WHEN IT COMES TORENOVATING THE AIRPORT.>> THEY WILL CERTAINLY BELOOKING O OMAHA AND WICHITA.THEY HAVE SOME CONVERSATIONSWITH JOHNSON COUNTY ALREADY.>> OFFERING TO DESIGN, BUILD,AND FINANCE A BILLION DOLLARRENOVATION THAT WOULD LOOKSOMETHING LIKE THIS.THEY BELIEVE IT WOULD DRAW MOREFLIGHTS, MORE PASSENGERS, ANDMORE MONEY.A PART OF THE PROPOSAL MAYINCLUDE CREATING A SPECIALAIRPORT TAX DISTRICT TO PAY FORTHE RENOVATION.AN ADDITIONAL ONE CENT ON TOP OFTHE AIRPORT.>> WE HAVEN'T AGREED THAT WILLBE THE WAY IT GOES.>> HE IS HIGHLY REGARDED IN THEAIRPORT BUILDING BUSINESS AND ANO-BID PROJECT IS THE FASTESTAND MOST ECONOMIC WAY OFRENOVATING.KANSAS CITY VOTERS WILL HAVE ANONBINDING AIRPORT VOTE INNOVEMBER.>> I DON'T REALLY KNOW THEANSWER TO THAT BECAUSE I HAVEN'TTHOUGHT IN TERMS OF VOTERSSAYING NO.>> THE LATEST STARTS THURSDAY.

Advertisement EXCLUSIVE: Kansas City Mayor says without KCI update, the airport may leave the city Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Kansas City Mayor Sly James says some airlines are ready to leave KCI if plans for a single terminal airport aren’t approved. And there are several other places they could go. James made it clear that he thinks the airlines that operate out of KCI are running out of patience with the city while waiting for renovations. “And if we don’t do it,” explained James, “They’ll certainly be looking to Omaha, Wichita, and they’ve had some conversations with Johnson County already.” The engineering firm Burns & McDonnell is offering to design, build, and finance a $1 Billion renovation at the 40-year-old airport. The firm believes a renovated KCI would draw more flights, which would bring more passengers, and more money to Kansas City. One part of the proposal may include creating a special airport taxing district to help pay for the renovation. That would add an additional one-cent sales tax on top of the current sales tax at the airport. “It may, it may add one-cent to that price,” said James. “But we haven’t agreed that’s the way it goes yet, either.” Mayor James says Burns & McDonnell is highly regarded in the airport construction business. He thinks this no-bid project is the fastest and most economical way of renovation. Kansas City voters will have a non-binding airport vote in November. We asked Mayor James – will the city still proceed with this project even if the voters say no? “I really don’t know the answer to that,” said James. “I have not thought in terms of voters saying no.”