
Distillery and several James Beard-winning chefs.Ĭouncilwoman Teresa Loar was particularly critical of the selection. They also said it would lead to pricier concessions and left out marquee brands such as the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, J. Opponents argued the Vantage proposal was risky financially for both the city and airport tenants. “And Vantage had the best proposal that I thought did that.” “I wanted this airport to scream Kansas City when people got off an airplane,” Fowler said.

Supporters said Vantage was chosen because it had the best financial proposal, good partnerships with local Kansas City vendors and community organizations, and a strong commitment to disadvantaged, minority and small businesses.įowler abstained from the council vote but said the selection committee thought Vantage was the clear choice, namely because it offered the best opportunity for local businesses to participate at KCI.

A selection committee consisting of the aviation director and a city manager representative, a Southwest Airlines representative, a small business representative and Councilman Dan Fowler unanimously recommended Vantage Airport Group, based in Vancouver, over four other proposers: Delaware North Greater Kansas City Restaurant & Retail Group MERA KC and PLTR-SSP LLC.
