On time and on budget. That was the message members of ULI Nebraska received at their monthly event this week from Daniel B. Owens, director of planning and engineering at the Omaha Airport authority. The event was hosted at the JetLinx hanger at Eppley Airfield.
Owens reported that the $950 million Terminal Modernization Program reached a major milestone at the end of January, officially reaching 50 percent completion.
The massive project consists of the now completed central utility plant with updated chillers and boilers, the central pavilion and security gates currently under construction and future demolition of and rebuilding of a larger north concourse. Additionally, extensive renovations are ongoing throughout existing structures that will remain, including current remodeling of the south concourse.
Once the under-construction central pavilion opens, the airport will consist of one continuous concourse served by 22 gates; currently the airport has 19 gates. While the number of gates will not increase dramatically, total square footage will increase from 375,000 sq. ft. to 646,000 sq. ft. Waiting areas by gates will nearly double in space, and the airport will add its first private traveler’s lounge under the Escape Lounges brand.
Other improvements include quadrupling the number of elevators, tripling the number of escalators, building larger bathrooms, modernizing the baggage system and introducing dramatically upgraded concessions programming located primarily in the central pavilion and post-security gates.
The central pavilion will feature both national and local purveyors. National and international brands such as Plum, Hudson, Panda Express and Starbucks will serve travelers alongside popular local businesses such as Block 16, Fernando’s, Scooters, The Mill and Runza.
An additional $65 million in funding, including federal grants, have helped build other improvements outside of the terminal project, including the recently completed canopy over the driveway and a third skywalk that will connect the center section of the terminal to the parking garages. The existing skywalks will also be totally renovated with new glass and design elements to match the upgraded terminal.
The central pavilion and much of the concourse are set to open in 2027. Thereafter, demolition and rebuilding of the north concourse will begin with an anticipated completion in 2028.
ULI Nebraska is a satellite of ULI Kansas City District Council. ULI, or Urban Land Institute, is an international cross-disciplinary network of real estate, design and development professionals with an aim to provide policy standards and expertise to help improve land use planning and real estate development practices.
ULI Nebraska will host three events in March that are open to everyone, with discounted fees for members. Events include a presentation on a report completed by local experts on issues and planning regarding affordable housing, an update on emerging trends in real estate, and a project tour of Tenaska Center of Arts Engagement. More information is available at their website, https://kansascity.uli.org/get-involved/nebraska/.
