Skidmore, Owings and Merrill design city’s largest infrastructure project

Kansas City Aviation Department has unveiled new interior and exterior renderings for the city’s largest infrastructure project to date - a $1.5bn single airport terminal, designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. At just over one million square feet, the facility will open with 39 gates, a 6300 space parking structure, together with a central utility plant as well as landside and airside improvements. New images provide insights to the terminal’s public areas, reflecting the project as it nears conclusion of schematic design.

The original three-terminal Kansas City International airport was considered to be at the forefront of modern aviation, opening in 1972 with runways built for jumbo jets and visions of supersonic travel. As an early example of “drive to your gate,” design, it was considered as the ultimate in airport convenience. However, the once-revolutionary concept is now out-dated, with amenities no longer matching passenger expectations. Added security requirements have also complicated the travel process by reducing available space. In November 2017, Kansas City voters approved construction of a single terminal. 

The new structure is intended to support more efficient airline operations and allow airport users to enjoy the convenience of modern air travel. The design is light and open with features reflecting the surrounding area, including the city’s signature fountains. There will be two levels, one for departures and one for arrivals. Moving walkways will expedite transfers between the two concourses, while consolidated and flexible security checkpoints with multiple lanes will accommodate the ups and downs of passenger volume.

Developer Edgemoor Infrastructure and Real Estate partnered with design-builder Clark|Weitz|Clarkson to construct the terminal. Geoff Stricker, Edgemoor managing director, stated: “This has been a great partnership with the City and airline partners, and we look forward to building on that to deliver an exceptional new terminal for travellers and the airlines alike.”

The terminal is expected to open in early 2023.

Lucy Nordberg
TenderStream Head of Research

This tender was first published by TenderStream on 10.01.2018 here

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