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Kansas City News Today Kansas City Front Page is a weekly news publication spotlighting attractions, jobs, events, business and hotels in Kansas City. |
KANSAS CITY NEWS TODAY - Friday, February 19, 2010 
by Betty Moore, SLFP.com KANSAS CITY, MO, (kansascityfrontpage.com), February 19, 2010 - Kansas City International (MCI) ranked highest among medium airports, and performed particularly well in airport accessibility, check-in/baggage check and security check, according to the newly released J.D. Power and Associates 2010 North America Airport Satisfaction Study(SM). "As much as Internet access may be a fun diversion or enable productivity for passengers, getting passengers in and out of the airport easily and efficiently is of utmost importance," said Stuart Greif, vice president and general manager of the global hospitality and travel practice at J.D. Power and Associates. Joe McBride, Marketing Manager, KCI Airport, stated that they had received the same rank in 2007. "This ranking is the result of passengers who have responded that they like the ease of access to baggage and the short waits to get through security. We like to think that the ranking is also because our employees are pleasant and keep the public areas clean." McBride said they contract out with a private firm that partnered with TSA to handle security. KCI Airport's landing fees are also one of the cheapest in the country. McBride said that in making a business case to expand routes, airlines look at the number of people flying and landing fees which can impact the success of the carrier. KCI Airport welcomed 9.8 million passengers in 2009. "After beginning the year with double-digit passenger declines, we are encouraged by the stabilization and growth that occurred in the last months of 2009," said Director of Aviation Mark VanLoh. "In fact, with 9.8 million passengers using the airport, 2009 exceeded 2005 traffic levels." McBride noted that while passenger service travel across the nation has been in a decline, they are beginning to see a positive growth in traffic. "We believe that the increase in passengers bodes well for 2010 and the economy for the Kansas City area is on a rebound." Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, which ranked 10th in the report, will spend $50 million over the next two years in modernization projects to improve passenger services and airport operations. See related story: Lambert Begins Major Renovation to Improve Passenger Services and Airport Operations Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Auto Dealers and Auction Companies KANSAS CITY, MO, (BUSINESS WIRE), February 19, 2010 - Auto dealers and auction companies are bearing the financial brunt of Toyota's recent recalls and Stop Sales Order and deserve to be compensated for the extra costs they are incurring, according to a class action lawsuit reently filed in Missouri federal court. The lawsuit, filed by Shawn Foster of Davis, Bethune and Jones in Kansas City, Missouri and J.R. Whaley of Neblett Beard and Arsenault in Louisiana, details the financial pain that holding excess and unsellable inventory causes automotive dealers generally. The lawsuit then specifies the financial strain that the recent recalls and Stop Sales Order have caused the automotive sales industry. The lawsuit also claims that Toyota knew over a year before the recent Stop Sales Order that its gas pedals were defective. The lawsuit claims that Toyota hid that information from the automotive sales industry and instead blamed bulky floor mats for the sudden acceleration problems plaguing the auto maker. That delay, according to the lawsuit, caused automotive dealers and auction companies to buy vehicles they cannot now sell and forces those businesses to carry costs to hold this currently unsellable inventory. "Most used car dealerships are small businesses that really cannot afford to hold excess inventory, particularly in these tough economic times. This lawsuit seeks some reimbursement for the costs these dealers are incurring because of Toyota's actions," said Shawn Foster. The lawsuit seeks class action status on behalf of all automotive dealers and auction companies but specifically excludes licensed Toyota dealers. "Class actions allow small businesses to come together and take on a corporate Goliath like Toyota," J. R. Whaley explained. "Class actions are oftentimes the most affordable way to prosecute claims like this." Kansas Speedway Gaming Facility Recieves Approval KANSAS CITY, KC, (kansascityfrontpage.com), February 19, 2010 - Kansas Entertainment, LLC, a 50/50 joint venture of Penn Hollywood Kansas, said it has received the final approval under the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act along with its gaming license from the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission to proceed with the development of the Hollywood-themed destination casino overlooking Turn 2 at Kansas Speedway. In 2009 the Unified Government of Kansas City and Wyandotte County endorsed the project and Kansas Entertainment, which successfully negotiated a management agreement with the Kansas Lottery Commission. That agreement was subsequently approved by the Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board. Kansas Entertainment plans to begin construction of the facility early in the second half of 2010 with a planned opening in the first half of 2012. Peter M. Carlino, Chief Executive Officer of Penn National commented, "Kansas Entertainment is committed to the long-term economic growth of Wyandotte County and the state of Kansas and we believe the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway will be a growth engine bringing over 1,700 construction jobs, over 1,000 full time jobs and significant additional economic benefits to the Kansas City region." Lesa France Kennedy, International Speedway Corporation Chief Executive Officer, said that "International Speedway Corporation is also excited to partner with Penn National Gaming on a project that will elevate the status of Kansas Speedway to a world-class sports, entertainment and leisure destination." "In addition, we believe our partnership with Penn National will result in a property that drives increased tourism and tax revenue for the local community and further improves the scope of our business. The casino is just a starting point of all the good things to come as we fulfill our commitment to seek a second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, build a road course and host a Grand-Am race and allocate one percent of the casino's revenue in support of the various organizations that make up the fabric of our community," stated Kennedy. The $386 million phase one development of Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway includes a 100,000-square-foot casino floor with capacity for 2,300 slot machines and 86 table games, a high-energy lounge and a variety of dining and entertainment options. Kansas Entertainment's plans include additional phases, which will bring a hotel, expanded gaming space, a spa, convention center and an entertainment retail district to Kansas Speedway, pending market demands. Pursuant to the terms of the joint venture, Kansas Speedway Development Corporation contributed 101 acres at Kansas Speedway for the development of the new facility. Penn National Gaming and International Speedway Corporation will equally share the full project development costs.   The Kansas City Front Page is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Kansas City area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 2007 - 2010 Moore Design Group. |
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