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John Glenn Columbus Airport's $2B New Terminal Begins Construction

2024-12-09

After an extensive period of preparation, the long-awaited work on a brand new terminal at John Glenn Columbus International Airport officially kicked off on Monday. This significant project, dubbed “Ohio’s front porch” by Gov. Mike DeWine, marks a major milestone in the airport’s history.

Unveiling Ohio’s Aviation Transformation

Planning and Groundbreaking

With the energetic “Danger Zone” from “Top Gun” playing in the background, approximately 300 visitors gathered under a tent in the airport’s “blue lot” to celebrate the groundbreaking of this nearly $2-billion project. Elizabeth Kessler, chair of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority board, emphasized that this has been a long-awaited endeavor. “This new terminal will truly elevate the flying experience to a first-class level,” she stated.The event coincided with the closure of the blue parking lot to make way for the construction. The new terminal will be constructed on this lot, located west of the current terminal on the south side of International Gateway, the main entrance to the airport.

Replacing the Outdated Terminal

The groundbreaking comes after years of meticulous planning to replace the existing 66-year-old terminal. Airport officials have long argued that the current terminal with its three concourses is no longer efficient and is in need of an upgrade. U.S. Rep. Mike Carey, R-Columbus, highlighted the significance of the occasion, saying, “What we’re witnessing today is the dawn of a new era. It’s not just a front porch; it’s a symbol of welcome and progress.”The new terminal will boast 36 gates compared to the current 29, capable of accommodating up to 13 million passengers within 20 years after its opening. This year, the airport is on track to set a new record in passenger traffic, with over 8.6 million passengers in 2019. Additionally, it will be able to handle larger aircraft, such as the 747-8, Boeing’s largest plane.Adam Decaire, an Ohio native and senior vice president at Southwest Airlines, the airport’s largest carrier, explained, “This will offer a seamless experience for airlines. For travelers, it means a single concourse and a centralized security checkpoint.” The current terminal’s three concourses, a result of its expansion, will be replaced by a single security check and concourse, bringing concessions together in one place.

Financing the Terminal

The terminal is expected to cost a total of $1.89 billion, including $1.6 billion for the terminal itself, $110 million for design and staffing costs, and $179 million for a new garage. Taxpayers and airport users will bear the financial burden. The airport authority currently has $240 million available for the terminal and expects to receive $140 million in federal grants and $100 million from other sources. The remaining costs, approximately $1.5 billion, will be financed through the sale of bonds that will be repaid over time using airport revenue from various sources such as parking, taxis, airline fees, and fees from terminal businesses.

Terminal Timeline and Key Steps

Airport authority officials aim to complete the terminal by 2029, in time for the airport’s 100th anniversary. Some important preliminary steps have already been taken, like building the 5,000-car garage that will connect to a new rental car facility. In 2022, the airport hired Gensler, a San Francisco-based company with expertise in aviation architecture, and Moody Nolan, a Columbus-based firm, to design the airport. The construction manager is Colorado-based Hensel Phelps Construction Company, with local support from the Columbus firm Elford.However, the airport authority and Hensel Phelps have not yet agreed to sign a Community Benefits Agreement sought by the Columbus Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, leading to the presence of about a dozen union protesters at Monday’s gathering. Airport officials and political figures emphasized the value of the new terminal to the entire central Ohio community and workforce. As Franklin County Commissioner Kevin Boyce noted, “This is a gateway to dreams and opportunities, not just for travelers but for our entire region.”

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The MBTA's Draft Environmental Assessment

Last week, the MBTA presented a draft environmental assessment for the Draw One Bridge replacement project. This document unveils crucial details regarding the agency's plans to replace the century-old railroad bridge adjacent to North Station. The Draw 1 bridge serves an astonishing 11 million rail passengers annually on various lines such as the Haverhill line, Newburyport/Rockport line, Lowell line, Fitchburg line, and the Amtrak Downeaster.The MBTA aims to replace the existing 4-track drawbridge with a more dependable one that can accommodate 6 tracks. This will enable increased regional rail service by opening up additional boarding platforms within North Station. In September, the T secured a $472 million federal grant for the $1.2 billion project.

The Construction Timeline

According to the project's environmental filings, the construction is expected to take approximately eight years, starting in 2026 and ending in 2034. However, the project consists of three independently operating drawbridges - the West Bridge, the Center Bridge, and the East Bridge. The West Bridge could begin carrying trains before the end of the decade.Based on the proposed construction phasing plan, workers will build the new bridges sequentially. During the first three years, they will construct the West Bridge just upstream from the existing bridge while trains continue to use the existing tracks. In the next two years, some train traffic will shift to the new West Bridge as workers demolish part of the old bridge and build the new Center Bridge. Finally, in the last three years, trains will use the new West and Center bridges while the old bridge is demolished and replaced with the new East Bridge. The environmental assessment ensures that "four tracks across the Charles River would remain in operation at all times" to minimize service disruptions for riders.

North Bank Bridge Closures

During the initial three years of construction, the project will lead to closures of the North Bank Bridge, which connects Cambridge and Charlestown for bike and pedestrian traffic. The new track layout associated with the new drawbridges requires the T to relocate several of the North Bank Bridge's support piers and raise the bridge by one foot. This work will result in "multiple closures of the North Bank Bridge for up to two weeks at a time. The total duration of anticipated closures is approximately 30 days," as stated in the T's environmental permitting documents.The T will collaborate with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation to provide a detour between Paul Revere Park and North Point Park in Cambridge. However, no details are provided about the nature of this detour. The only other possible routes across the MBTA tracks on the north bank of the Charles River are the Interstate 93 connector ramps to the Tobin Bridge, where bike and pedestrian traffic is prohibited, and the Gilmore Bridge, which is about half a mile to the northwest.

No Overhead Wires for Now

Unlike the tracks leading to South Station, the new Draw One bridge is not designed to include overhead wires to power the MBTA's planned electric trains. But this design does not rule out the possibility of such an addition in the future."The new bridge structures accommodate future electrification of the rail lines by providing sufficient vertical clearance for fixed catenary when the bridge spans are fully open," according to the environmental assessment. This indicates that the option for electric train operation remains open for the Draw One Bridge.

RF Wilkins Consultants recently hosted a significant event with Sen. Leroy Comrie at the 2024 Level Up Your Business. This initiative aimed to provide local construction businesses with the necessary tools and knowledge to thrive.

Unlock Business Growth with RF Wilkins Consultants

Hosting a Networking Event for Local Construction Businesses

A Jamaica-based business development and management consulting firm took the initiative to host a networking event last week. The event was specifically designed to support local construction enterprises and equip them with the strategies needed to scale their operations.

RF Wilkins Consultants organized a strategy and networking event on Wednesday night. The aim was to offer construction-related business owners insights from experts and conduct workshops that could assist companies in growing to take on larger construction contracts. As Jamila Glean, a project director at RF Wilkins, stated, "We're hoping this is the sweet spot where they get the information they need for when they're ready for big contracts."

RF Wilkins is a renowned Jamaica-based consultant group that offers a wide range of services to entrepreneurs. These services include fundraising assistance, event management, and compliance projects for government regulations. The firm is currently working on the $19 billion JFK redevelopment project, ensuring that developers hire minority women-owned businesses and report on spending properly.

Equipping Entrepreneurs with Insights and Strategies

The event focused on equipping entrepreneurs, particularly minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs), with the necessary insights and strategies. Glean emphasized that though the JFK project has a need for MWBE contractors, the event wasn't just about getting these companies to apply for one specific contract. There are other large-scale projects in Queens, such as at Resorts World Casino and the incoming soccer stadium.

"We hear a lot from developers and prime contractors about the lack of MWBE firms with specific skills. Our event aims to address this by providing them with the knowledge and connections they need," said Glean.

The event attracted a diverse range of entrepreneurs, including HVAC companies, piping companies, general construction firms, electricians, and engineering firms. Senator Leroy Comrie's presence added to the significance of the event.

Targeting Successful Construction Companies for Growth

The event was targeted at companies that had successfully completed a project valued at a hundred thousand dollars or more and were looking to secure larger contracts. These companies often needed to increase their staff and equipment to handle larger projects.

"A lot of firms are built by talented individuals in specific areas but may lack the expertise in backend work and capital. Our event aims to fill these gaps," explained Glean.

The evening brought together around 40 entrepreneurs in a smaller group setting. This allowed participants to interact with each other and engage in various activities. It started with a networking strategies panel, followed by a one-on-one interview with Patricia Robinson from the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation and RF Wilkin's CEO Francilia Wilkins Rahim. Later, Aron Kurlander from the same organization discussed access to capital, and the event concluded with breakout sessions where entrepreneurs bid on contracts and wrote capability statements.