Grand Rapids Airport (GRR) News and Developments

[GRDadof3]

18 hours ago, Hoeks said:

 

Progress of GRR concourse A today.   

I had to go to the airport yesterday to sign up for TSA precheck and I saw that view of the expansion. Looks really cool when you're coming into the airport campus. And that's only one of four "sloped" skylight ceilings to come. 

[gvsusean]

A little close and personal look at the expansion

[GR8scott]

Saw this on the airport site...certainly looks to be about twice as tall, twice as wide and twice as long in person too. 

 

[walker]

Grand Rapids businesses are lobbying the government to replace the control tower:

WOODTV: GR businesses appeal for replacement air control tower

[GRDadof3]

On 6/29/2022 at 9:25 AM, walker said:

Grand Rapids businesses are lobbying the government to replace the control tower:

WOODTV: GR businesses appeal for replacement air control tower

I didn't really think about the sightlines over the parking garage and not being able to expand parking any more (until a new tower is built). Interesting. The airport may have to start opening "economy lots" out on 36th Street and start shuttling people to the airport. That tower is going to take years to build. 

We flew out of GRR last Thursday late afternoon and I could not get over how busy concourse A was. And all the jets coming and going. 

[walker]

"Delta Air Lines reportedly offered $10,000 to passengers in Grand Rapids to be bumped from flight"

WZZM: delta-airlines-offered-10000-passengers-grand-rapids

[GR8scott]

Probably a good thing that theres some outside pressure to update the control tower as its been talked about for years now. I vividly remember reading somewhere I think its the 2nd or3rd oldest in use of any similar or larger sized airport? The new site on the other side of the airport should make it more visible to i96 and Im sure it would be taller, but I hope they put a little money into making it "iconic" or at least unique. Cool example is at Dayton 

[Cookin_peacocks]

It would be neat if they retained old tower for an observation deck. 

 

I think it's neat Denver retained their old airports tower and integrated it into the street life of the area 

[MJLO]

I think their ultimate goal is to separate arrivals and departures up/down like most major airports, which would mean building above the current terminal.  I believe the current tower is a structural impediment to this.   I’m not sure it could stay for historic/observational purposes.   TBH I wouldn’t mourn the loss of it, as i personally find it hideous like most structures it’s era.

[GRDadof3]

3 hours ago, MJLO said:

I think their ultimate goal is to separate arrivals and departures up/down like most major airports, which would mean building above the current terminal.  I believe the current tower is a structural impediment to this.   I’m not sure it could stay for historic/observational purposes.   TBH I wouldn’t mourn the loss of it, as i personally find it hideous like most structures it’s era.

I believe they already have a spot picked out for the new tower, out by the Fed Ex hanger. It's on the GVMC master plan circled in green:

[GR8scott]

I believe they already prepped the new site and have an interior layout however no released plans of the exterior height/finish, I'm sure it will be taller as even the newer ones in traverse city and kalamazoo are taller than GRR.

As for the old tower, one airport that comes to mind is Tucson. The old tower there is still standing as its connected to the old terminal. Its got a southwest retro look. Ive been there at night and its got cool lighting. Since the old GRR is connected to the terminal, it seems like it may not be worth dismantling at least at this time unless they do major reconstruction to that part of the terminal. For the time being, It would be cool if they can turn that into a public space of some sort and on the outside add lights or an art piece. 

[BLUESCRUBS]

Had a flight this am and WOW!! This project is huge. You can  really start to see it peaking out from different parts around the airport. 

Edited Tuesday at 05:30 PM by BLUESCRUBS
spelling

[GRDadof3]

2 hours ago, BLUESCRUBS said:

Had a flight this am and WOW!! This project is huge. You can  really start to see it peaking out from different parts around the airport. 

Is all the metal framing done? I'll be there in a couple of weeks, looking forward to seeing the progress. 

[cstonesparty]

just saw this today…

http://www.gvmc.org/airport-access-study
 

[Hoeks]

19 hours ago, BLUESCRUBS said:

Had a flight this am and WOW!! This project is huge. You can  really start to see it peaking out from different parts around the airport. 

2 weeks ago at takeoff.   Helps with a comparison vs the old portion of A, and the B terminal.  I was also there on Monday, and it looked like a few glass panels were up, where the addition meets the old.   And lots of passenger traffic in both A and B.  

 

 

[GRDadof3]

10 minutes ago, Hoeks said:

2 weeks ago at takeoff.   Helps with a comparison vs the old portion of A, and the B terminal.  I was also there on Monday, and it looked like a few glass panels were up, where the addition meets the old.   And lots of passenger traffic in both A and B.  

 

 

That's it then, 4 sloped roof sections. Dang, it's starting to look like a real airport!