Kansas City Wheeler Downtown Airport Master Plan Study Public Information Workshop Slated for February 21, 2024, 5-6:30 p.m.
The Kansas City Aviation Department will host a second public information workshop as part of a Master Plan Study for Kansas City Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC) Wednesday, February 21, 2024, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
The informal open house format will allow the public to listen, ask questions of the project team members, view exhibits, and receive handout materials that provide further details on the studies.
Master Plan Studies must be conducted periodically at most US airports in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations. A Master Plan is a proactive document that identifies and then plans for future facility needs to ensure that airport management can coordinate project approvals, design, financing, and construction to avoid experiencing detrimental effects due to inadequate facilities. The ultimate goal of the study is to provide systematic guidelines for the airport’s overall maintenance, development, and operation. The study was kicked off February 7, 2023. Coffman Associates is conducting the study for the Aviation Department.
This workshop will present future facility needs and development alternatives chapters.
The Facility Requirements chapter is an overview of the airport’s existing facilities and outline what facilities may be needed to accommodate future demand. Airside components include the runway system (runways and taxiways), navigational aids, lighting, and marking. Landside components include terminal facilities, storage and maintenance hangars, as well as auto parking and support facilities.
The purpose of the Development Alternatives chapter is to formulate and examine development alternatives that address the short‐, intermediate‐, and long‐term planning horizon. Because there are a multitude of possibilities and combinations, it is necessary to focus on those opportunities that have the greatest potential for success. Each alternative provides a different approach to meeting existing and future facility needs; therefore, these layouts are presented for purposes of evaluation and discussion.
Purpose of the Master Plan Study
• Provide a visioning document to guide airport management and other decision makers regarding development of the airport over the next 20 years
• Address local and national changes in the aviation industry that could impact priorities at MKC
• Identify and plan for potential capital projects in advance, so that coordination, approvals, financing, design and construction can take place in a timely manner
• Identify locations for appropriate on-airport land uses (aviation and non-aviation)
• Develop a plan that addresses FAA and airport priorities (i.e., safety, design standards, land use compatibility, compliance, etc.)
• Obtain FAA approval of new aviation demand forecasts and updated Airport Layout Plan (ALP)
• Have a current and approved ALP on file with FAA so that future grant funding can continue uninterrupted
• Increase stakeholder/public awareness of the airports’ goals and objectives
• Maintain communication and capital project discussions with FAA and airport stakeholders.
Interested parties may attend the public information workshop on February 21, 2024, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at the Charles E. McGee General Aviation Terminal Building at 925 NW Lou Holland Drive in Kansas City, Missouri.
More information about the study and Phase One chapters are available at MKC.AirportStudy.net and airport information is at FlyMKC.com. MKC social media channels @FlyMKC on Twitter/X, @FlyMKC on Instagram and MKCAirport on Facebook.
The Kansas City Airport System is an Enterprise Fund Department of the City of Kansas City, Mo., and is supported wholly by airport user charges. No general fund tax revenues are used for the administration, promotion, operation, or maintenance of the airports in the system. Visit FlyKC.com for more information. Find us on LinkedIn.