After receiving eight responses to its outreach seeking a firm interested in preparing options for the reworking the terminal building at Westchester County Airport, the county has selected HNTB for the job. HNTB, which has more than 80 offices in cities around the U.S., specializes in designing and managing construction projects and other programs for fields that include aviation, highway, rail, bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure.
HNTB currently is overseeing the redevelopment program at John F. Kennedy International Airport for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. It has been the lead design architect for the new international terminal at the airport in Tampa, Florida. United Airlines selected it as the prime designer for its $480 million redesign and expansion at Los Angeles International Airport.
HNTB is being asked by the county to prepare three designs for the county to consider that would improve facilities at the existing airport terminal building without expanding it. Key elements would include redesigning and expanding the space used by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for passenger screening, redesigning and improving waiting room space to upgrade the experience for passengers arriving and checking in and then waiting for their flights. There also would be upgrades to bathroom facilities and enhanced food service options. The roadway in front of the building and the uses at rental car lots would be studied. While the existing terminal would not be expanded, it’s conceivable that space could be opened up by moving some activities such as management office operations elsewhere.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, Deputy County Executive Joan McDonald, Board of Legislators Chairman Vedat Gashi and others gathered at the airport’s terminal building on March 4 to announce the selection of HNTB.
“The terminal hasn’t been able to keep up to things and hasn’t been modernized,” Jenkins said. “Something as basic as sitting down comfortably before a flight, getting a cup of coffee or even using a restroom without a long wait is much harder than it needs to be. It’s not about luxury; it’s about functionality.”
Jenkins emphasized that the project is not an airport expansion and that the 96,000-square-feet terminal will remain that size. He said that the use of nearby support areas will be studied.
“We’re not increasing capacity; we’re not increasing flight limits,” Jenkins said. “The footprint of the airport is going to remain the same. County ownership and control are remaining the same. This is modernization, it’s not growth.”
Jenkins described Westchester County Airport as a vital regional gateway that supports the county’s economy.
“It supports families, businesses and visitors,” Jenkins said. “It deserves a terminal that reflects the quality of Westchester County. We can protect what makes HPN (the airport’s identifier) special while improving how it functions.”
McDonald said that people love the convenience of flying into and out of the airport but they’re not so happy with the amenities.
“We have heard from our airlines that provide commercial service here in this terminal,” McDonald said. “They want to partner with the county to prepare the best passenger experience. This evaluation will highlight deficiencies throughout our terminal and recommend solutions.”
Mike Mangione of HNTB said that the firm is pleased to partner with Westchester County on the modernization of the terminal. He pledged collaboration with officials, airport users and the public during the process of preparing the options for changes to the terminal.
“This effort represents an important opportunity to reimagine the Westchester terminal and align it with today’s passenger expectations,” Mangione said. “Airports typically are the first experience someone has with a community or city. For HNTB as aviation architects, engineers and program managers we have expertise in all facets of aviation including airport redevelopment and modernization programs of various sizes and complexity. We also know that sustainability will be a key throughout this study. In our role we will focus on developing clear, realistic design and planning options that … enhance passenger and customer experience; improve the efficiency and functionality of the terminal; provide flexibility so that the terminal can evolve as the aviation industry evolves; apply the latest aviation industry terminal planning and design standards; and leverage technology to better serve travelers and airport operations.”
