Salt Lake Transit News Thread

[CountyLemonade]

So, according to the presentation (link provided above), renovation of concourses B, C, and D will begin in 2022 and last until 2026. Yikes.

As for the parking structure, I remember reading somewhere that it had a thirty-year service life to begin with. It was built in 1991.

[s.p.hansen]

Originally Posted by CountyLemonade

So, according to the presentation (link provided above), renovation of concourses B, C, and D will begin in 2022 and last until 2026. Yikes.

As for the parking structure, I remember reading somewhere that it had a thirty-year service life to begin with. It was built in 1991.

skyguy can correct me on this, but this planned rebuild seems about as conservative as they come. And that makes sense with Delta being such a big part of it and with how volatile the whole airline industry is.

So I'm pretty sure this plan represents the "worst case scenario" as far as timetables and resources go.

In the presentation the whole idea of the thing running into financial problems is taken into account with stopping points.



So I imagine, this plan is more of a fail-safe rather than an aspiration and we may end up seeing something more aggressive (especially taking into account an increase in traffic over the decade coupled with the possibility of a much better business climate for the major airlines).

[Future Mayor]

I could also see an increase time table if we were to get the 2022 Games. Some federal $$ could go a long way to get us to Stage 4 above. Maybe even the NE/NW or NE and NW concourse. You never know. I mean we already have the majority of the facilities, so funding sources could be used to upgrade those and the money that would be needed to build those from the ground up could be used for airport completion, or Phase II

[skyguy414]

I don't think it is a worst-case scenario by any means. Considering past master plans, the airport could have just added more and more mediocre concourses and renovated older facilities rather than redeveloping from the ground up. Our airport is taking some pretty agressive steps to making a very nice facility, and they are going about it in a smart way that won't burden tax payers (no local tax-payer money is going to this project) or the airlines.

I agree that this project could easily be accelerated and altered with more than what we see in phase 1 if the industry and economy booms or if there is other need to.

It may take a while, but we'll have a terminal that is the envy of the country when its all said and done.

[s.p.hansen]

Originally Posted by skyguy414

I don't think it is a worst-case scenario by any means. Considering past master plans, the airport could have just added more and more mediocre concourses and renovated older facilities rather than redeveloping from the ground up. Our airport is taking some pretty aggressive steps to making a very nice facility, and they are going about it in a smart way that won't burden tax payers (no local tax-payer money is going to this project) or the airlines.

I agree that this project could easily be accelerated and altered with more than what we see in phase 1 if the industry and economy booms or if there is other need to.

It may take a while, but we'll have a terminal that is the envy of the country when its all said and done.

I'm not saying our new terminal will be drab, just that this is plan seems like it's pretty much made to weather economic storms (which is a good thing).

What can you tell us about the new terminal, since that is what matters the most anyway?

Would it be big enough to accommodate an eventual expansion on the scale of DIA?

Would the terminal have two giant stories? Would TRAX be elevated?

[skyguy414]

Originally Posted by s.p.hansen

I'm not saying our new terminal will be drab, just that this is plan seems like it's pretty much made to weather economic storms (which is a good thing).

What can you tell us about the new terminal, since that is what matters the most anyway?

Would it be big enough to accommodate an eventual expansion on the scale of DIA?

Would the terminal have two giant stories? Would TRAX be elevated?

I understand what you are saying, and yes it is taking a conservative approach, but I wouldn't call it worst case scenario.

As for more details, the more specific plans will be drawn up later this year. It is being designed to allow for easy future expansion, including the future north parallel concourse.

The terminal roads will be multi-level, allowing departures on one level and arrivals on another. The TRAX platform/station from what I have seen will be elevated and attached to the new parking structure.

As for a better idea of what it will look like, we'll have to wait until the conceptual plans are drawn up later this year. But you can count on a lot of windows, very open and bright interiors, high ceilings. LEED will play a major role in its development and the airport plans to build it with the goal of being the an "energy positive" facility, probably the first airport to achieve this.

[s.p.hansen]

It's going to be awesome.

[RiceXIX]

What would you guys like to see in the airport design? What would make it unique?

Here is a like to some other really cool ones...
http://www.designboom.com/contemporary/contemporary_airport_design.html

I really like Beijing International Airport and Shanghai Pudong Airport.
I hope Salt Lake's is unique, but I doubt it will be nothing to out of the ordinary.

[ctobsl]

I like the Doha international airport, Qatar, the Beijing International and the Shanghai Pudong international airport.

[i-215]

Anyone planning to fly out of SLC soon? I'd love to get a video tour of the old terminals (past security) before they demolish it.

Do they sell gate passes for that sort of thing? I'd easily pay $40 to spend a few hours past security videoing the old moving sidewalks, concourses, smoking areas, etc.

Of course, these days they'd probably think I'm some sort of a terrorist.

[UTAZLoVer]

I will be, I'll definitely take some pictures

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by i-215

Anyone planning to fly out of SLC soon? I'd love to get a video tour of the old terminals (past security) before they demolish it.

Do they sell gate passes for that sort of thing? I'd easily pay $40 to spend a few hours past security videoing the old moving sidewalks, concourses, smoking areas, etc.

Of course, these days they'd probably think I'm some sort of a terrorist.

Makes me miss the good old days when I could walk ANYWHERE in the airport. Damn 9-11. I don't work pass security, but I'll try to get some pictures or video of parts of the airport. Not a bad idea.

[i-215]

Originally Posted by UTAZLoVer

I will be, I'll definitely take some pictures

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

Makes me miss the good old days when I could walk ANYWHERE in the airport. Damn 9-11. I don't work pass security, but I'll try to get some pictures or video of parts of the airport. Not a bad idea.

Thanks guys! I fly so rarely. Maybe once every 10-15 years. I really only travel to LA, and I need my car down there, so I always drive. But Salt Lake Airport Terminal One was always my favorite place in the entire world as a child. Remember the gigantic globe they used to have painted on the floor?

It irks me how our "security theater" culture prevents me from one day taking my child to the airport on a Saturday to see the planes, like my Dad used to.

[wrendog]

So, anybody know how much renovation will be done on concourses B,C and D?

Are we talking a full on renovation (like university mall... big change when they redid it even though it kept the same footprint), or just a minor renovation that keeps the same general look but just includes a new walkway to the new terminal (that being the only renovation)..


What do you guys think?

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by wrendog

So, anybody know how much renovation will be done on concourses B,C and D?

Are we talking a full on renovation (like university mall... big change when they redid it even though it kept the same footprint), or just a minor renovation that keeps the same general look but just includes a new walkway to the new terminal (that being the only renovation)..


What do you guys think?

Full reno.

[RC14]

Originally Posted by i-215

It irks me how our "security theater" culture prevents me from one day taking my child to the airport on a Saturday to see the planes, like my Dad used to.

I was talking to my Dad about this the other day. When I was a kid my Dad took me to the airport a few times, that was so fun for me as a kid. It's too bad security is so intense now.
The sad thing is, it will probably never go back since, no politician wants to be responsible for cutting airport security, if something ever happens agin.

[wrendog]

Originally Posted by Stenar

Full reno.

I hope so... I'd love to see the old concourses renovated to look exactly like the style of the new terminal. Too many patchwork like airports in this country.

[BrennanW]

I work for American Eagle Airlines in Manhattan, Kansas, but to answer your questions - we can and do offer gate passes under certain circumstances. You can inquire about them at an airline ticket counter (I suggest trying a few different ones -especially Delta at SLC). If that doesn't work, ask the airport administration office and tell them you'd like to purchase something past security. Chances are they'll let you in.

I really want to make a trip out to SLC soon, flying is pretty cheap for me, so when I'm there I will be documenting the terminals for sure!

[skyguy414]

Originally Posted by i-215

Thanks guys! I fly so rarely. Maybe once every 10-15 years. I really only travel to LA, and I need my car down there, so I always drive. But Salt Lake Airport Terminal One was always my favorite place in the entire world as a child. Remember the gigantic globe they used to have painted on the floor?

It irks me how our "security theater" culture prevents me from one day taking my child to the airport on a Saturday to see the planes, like my Dad used to.

The world map on the floor of terminal 1 is still there.

One of the things a new terminal will help alleviate is the limited things the non-flying public can do there. While it won't open up access beyond the security checkpoint (this is a national mandate, not just SLC), the new terminal will have stores and restaurants (real restaurants) that are available outside the secure areas that anyone can enjoy, whether it is spending time with someone you are seeing off, meeting, or just going to see the facilities. That is something the current terminals do not have, aside of small convenience stores/and soon to be Starbucks. It will be more than just a terminal, it will be a work of art.

I am in the terminals every day and I can take pictures. There is a lot of renovation going on with the stores and restaurants at the airport right now. That's the most obvious change that passengers will notice until the new terminal starts construction. Some of the stores are very nice. New restaurants will be opening up throughout the year. There is now a new full service duty free shop in the D concourse (they even sell liquor and the big packages of cigarettes).

[skyguy414]

Originally Posted by BrennanW

I work for American Eagle Airlines in Manhattan, Kansas, but to answer your questions - we can and do offer gate passes under certain circumstances. You can inquire about them at an airline ticket counter (I suggest trying a few different ones -especially Delta at SLC). If that doesn't work, ask the airport administration office and tell them you'd like to purchase something past security. Chances are they'll let you in.

I really want to make a trip out to SLC soon, flying is pretty cheap for me, so when I'm there I will be documenting the terminals for sure!

I work for the airport authority in SLC...you won't be able to get a gate/security pass in SLC unless you are picking up or dropping off an unaccompanied minor or assisting someone who is very disabled to or from their gate. They will also give one to a spouse of someone who is being deployed for military service.

Other than that, you would really have to have an operational need to get beyond security if you aren't a ticketed passenger. Our security lines are a lot longer here (30 min+ lines this afternoon) so we have to be strict on gate passes, so I wouldn't waste your time trying to talk an airline into giving you one. Buying something at a gift shop isn't going to cut it I am afraid.