Lambert-St. Louis International Airport officially kicked off the Airport Experience renovation program announcing the first projects underway
totaling $16.9 million in improvements.
The Airport Experience is a multi-phase program to modernize and upgrade the Main Terminal and concourses. The first Airport Experience project beginning in July is the interior restoration of Lambert's four historic domes. A complete replacement of Lambert's Main Terminal in-bound baggage system - at an estimated cost of $5 million - is scheduled to begin in early 2009. That
project will include all new carousels and oversize luggage retrieval systems. The six carousels will be replaced one at a time. The third project, also set for early 2009, is the makeover of Lambert's roadway signage program, expected to cost $1.5 million. This "Wayfinding" project involves creation of a master plan for all signs and the installation of all
new messaging to help travelers and airport users better navigate to andfrom Lambert.
Other projects within the renovation program will be phased in over the nextfive years.
Kwame Building Group is providing oversight, programming, design coordination and procurement, and will manage implementation of the "Airport
Experience Program." Other consultants selected for the project are:
•Teng & Associates, Inc.: Dome renovations design, Main Terminal ticketing hall and mid-level architectural renovations design; concourses architectural renovations design.
•Kozeny-Wagner, Inc.: In-bound conveyers and baggage claims design/build.
• Apple Designs, Inc.: Entrance monuments and wayfinding signage design.
•Burns and McDonnell: Main Terminal ticketing hall and mid-level mechanical, electrical, plumbing and special systems (MEPPS) renovations
design; concourses mechanical, electrical, plumbing and special systems (MEPSS) renovations design.
The schedule for installing many of those improvement will not be determined until designs are complete.
"We're proud to begin these much anticipated improvements after listening to our passengers, airport users and the community," said Richard Hrabko,
Director of Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. "In spite of these volatile and uncertain times in the travel industry, we currently have the
ability to begin the transformation of our historic facility while remaining fiscally responsible."
Hrabko added, however, that the health of the industry and the airport will determine when the addition projects move into construction.
"From the start, Lambert intended for the renovation program to proceed with
only those projects that deliver the most impact for airport users and/or to
improve airport operations. That continues to be our goal," he said. "As we
move through the design phase of the next projects, we will carefully
monitor our budget and the economic landscape of the airline and airport
industries to make sure the airport is financially secure before we proceed
with the construction of our next projects."
The $16 million facility renovation program is in addition to HMSHost's
agreement to invest $16 million ($13 million by 2011) to introduce more
local and upscale dining venues. Three new concepts are now under
construction in the Main Terminal. Local favorite, The Pasta House Co., will
open in the lower level in the fall of 2008. Brioche Dore Caf and
Missouri Vineyards, a new wine bar concept are scheduled to open in early
2009 in the Ticketing Hall of the Main Terminal.
Other new dining options could include Mosaics Tapas Fusion, which has been
named one of top restaurants in St. Louis; Fitz's Root Beer; Baja Fresh and
a new Freshns. The construction schedules and opening dates for those
venues will be determined at a later date.
