Airport Experience® News - Conference 2023

L ATES T BUZ Z

• Relocation of the air traffic control tower, at a cost of $70 million, that will allow for expansion of the terminal building, parking garage and other assets. • A new federal inspection station to accommodate international passengers and cargo, at a cost of about $27 million. • A modern checked baggage inspection system to streamline TSA screening operations. The project, at about $150 million, is expected to start next year. • A new consolidated rent-a-car facility, at a cost of about $150 million, with construction expected to begin this spring. Many of the projects are in the design phase and will be moving into construction in the next year or two. But the Concourse A expansion is currently underway. “It’s basically tripling the size of our concourse as it stands today,” says Richardson. The expanded Concourse A, which will both lengthen and widen the facility, will address some of the crowding that has occurred due to overall passenger growth

and shifts in airline activities that have resulted in crowded gate areas. “The current gate hold areas are not large enough,” notes Richardson. “We have transitioned from an airport that had a lot of small turbo prop operations into one that is all jets, larger jets and those continue to increase in size. We don’t have the gate area for the passengers to congregate and get ready for the flights because these were built for 30- to 50-seat airplanes.” Ambiance and Amenities Along with the expanded gates will come a new array of concessions sprinkled throughout a more welcoming concourse. “It will be nice and open to allow daylight in, and will be bright and much more functional,” Richardson says. “There will be lots of different seating configurations - traditional seating, high top seating, cubicle-type seating. We’ll offer various combinations so that the guests can find what they like or what works best for them.” One of the amenities Richardson is most enthused about is a new common use lounge that will be built on the second floor of the concourse. “It’s going to be really neat because it’s on top of the facility

with a beautiful view of the airfield,” he says. “People can see what’s going on with the airplanes at the gates and have that visual contact that a lot of people like when they’re at the airport and they’re waiting for their flight.” Airport Dimensions has been selected to build out and operate the new lounge, which is expected to open a few months after the main concourse area. Like so many airports these days, GRR is seeking a sense of place in the new Concourse A expansion design. The design will start with evoking the trees and lakes that are prevalent in western Michigan and will transition into a cityscape feel that captures the essence of Grand Rapids. “We’re really looking at the whole journey for the passenger,” Richardson says. “We want them to feel like they are arriving in West Michigan and they’re experiencing the various parts of West Michigan as they transition through the terminal.” Paradies Lagardère will provide both food and beverage and retail options in the expanded Concourse A. Richardson says that while concepts aren’t finalized, the food and beverage program is expected to tap into some local operators to enhance the “sense of place” that the airport is seeking.

Below: A $110 million concourse expansion will provide more room and new amenities for Gerald R. Ford International Airport’s growing passenger base.

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