Kansas City, Mo — The Kansas City International Airport is getting a $183.4 million renovation to revitalize its three terminals, officials announced Monday.
The renovations are scheduled to begin next month and to be completed in 2004. It is the airport's first such project since it opened in 1972.
Aviation Director Russell Widmar said the airport's appearance has become outdated.
"Everything will be changed all the furniture, the carpeting and the rest rooms," Widmar said. "It's like taking an old house and putting in all the modern conveniences and designing it to last."
Under the theme "Jazzin' Up the Place," the terminals will be stripped to their shells and refurbished with new, sleeker equipment.
Among the improvements are new and larger departure lounges, new ticketing areas, flooring, windows and roofing, and 50 percent more concession space for restaurants and retail shops. There also will be high-tech flight and baggage information displays that will show details for multiple airlines at one location.
After renovations, the airport will have a "lighter and brighter look," said Kansas City Councilwoman Teresa Loar, who is chairwoman of the council's Aviation Committee.
"The airport is the first impression that many people have of this city," Loar said.
Mayor Kay Barnes said the airport needed to be renovated to better handle its increased use. The airport's users have grown more than 200 percent from 3.8 million in 1973 to 11.9 million last year.
Airport officials have spent two years planning the project with different management and design teams. It will be financed through general aviation bonds that voters approved in 1988, not by sales tax or property tax receipts.
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