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COVER STORY May 2015 airportbusiness 25 entirely with airport revenues. The airport also received approximately $60 million in FAA funds and $8 million from the TSA to offset the cost of the outbound baggage handling system. They currently seek federal funds to demolish the old terminal building, which rests too close to gates 10, 11 and 12 to operate them. They hope to tear down the old building this fall, with the exception of the basement, which will remain in use, due to the presence of extensive utility services and airport maintenance shops. "That's one of the things that helped get air- line support for the project early on," says White. "We shaved $5 million from the project by leaving the basement in place and just tearing down the structures above. We also cut $20 million from the original project concept by eliminating a second-level roadway in front of the terminal because vehicular traffic didn't justify it." BUILD IT BRIGHT "An airport terminal is the first and last impres- sion for visitors to the area," says McCollom. "We felt it should speak to the capabilities of the peo- ple here, the aircraft manufacturers in town, and the high-tech businesses." To accomplish this, they engaged business- es, citizens, customers and stakeholders early in the planning process. "They said they want- ed the airport to reflect that this is a growing town; a modern town," White says, adding that the existing terminal left visitors with a lasting impression but not necessarily a good one. One of the first things visitors will notice now is the bright and spacious feeling of the new facility, which is able to handle up to 2 million passengers a year—approximately 500,000 more than it does today. "One of the big things is just the sense of space you have in this building and the large generous areas you've got," says Philip Hannon, architect, HNTB. White admits the new building is "roughly the same size square footage-wise, offering just 10,000 square feet more," but it's more efficient. The traditionally shaped H terminal features walking distances that are half what they were in the current terminal because White says they "shrunk everything and made it more compact." But it's not something visitors will notice because high ceilings; light colors; plen- ty of windows and skylights, all of which are blast-resistant glass made to withstand severe weather conditions; make the terminal look larger than it really is. "Though similar in square footage, the new facility is roughly 60 percent larger in volume, which means it's more open and more spacious," McCollom says. "The high ceilings make it feel much larger." EASY BEING GREEN "Community leaders also asked that the building incorporate as many environmentally conscious features as reasonably possible," says White. In response, HNTB included sustainable sys- tems designed to operate efficiently and adapt well to future technological advancements. The project includes an energy-efficient HVAC system and lighting. The new facility has up to five times as many windows as the old one, which significantly reduces the amount of artificial light that must be created. Daylight harvesting systems dim or switch electric light- ing in response to changing daylight availability, further reducing energy use. In-pavement heat- ing systems by the curb limit ice and snow buildup, and inside bag make-up rooms, keep the area warm in the win- ter and cool in the summer. However, though designed and built to LEED specifications, the air- port opted out of obtaining LEED cer- tification. "We felt it was appropriate to include the sustainable features, but not pay for the commissioning and actual certification," McCollom explains. "It would have been nearly $300,000 to certify the building, and we felt that $300,000 could be used elsewhere." PUT PASSENGERS FIRST The community also asked that the new airport put passengers first by simplifying the stress of travel and building in the amenities they desired. The terminal's first floor houses arriv- ing and departing passengers, ticket- ing, baggage claim, and airline and operations support, while the second floor features exhibit space, security, retail, food venues, and departure and arrival gates. The terminal's new flex- ible gate system can accommodate a range of aircraft and incorporates the largest installation of glass-walled pas- senger boarding bridges in the country. The old ticketing area was "crowded, cramped, low and dark," describes Hannon. The new one lets in lots of light. The ticket counters meet Americans With Disability Act require- ments for height and accessability. Recessed computer floor areas are in place, 15 feet in front of the counters, if airlines wish to recon- figure check-in operations. "There are actually three locations that they can put in kiosks," says White. "They can put them at the counters, on www.aviationpros.com/12073325 "The cost was roughly the same but it would have taken twice as long to renovate the existing facility." VICTOR WHITE, DIRECTOR OF AIRPORTS, CITY OF WICHITA AIRPORT AUTHORITY