SAN DIEGO-Those who follow @GlobeStcom on Twitter and @GlobeStLIVE may have seen a post teasing the announcement, but GlobeSt.com has learned that the Green Build expansion at San Diego International Airport recently opened to passengers, marking the completion of the largest project in the airport's history. The Green Build was completed on schedule and is expected to be $45-million under budget.
Key features of the green build include:
*10 new gates to reduce terminal congestion and provide expanded, more comfortable passenger waiting areas; highlights include new seating equipped with built-in cup holders, electrical outlets and USB ports.
*Dual-level roadway to relieve curb-front traffic congestion by separating arriving and departing passengers.
*Enhanced curbside check-in, allowing passengers to print boarding passes, check baggage and view gate information at one of 27 easy-to-use curbside kiosks or 32 airline/Skycap counter check-in positions before entering the terminal.
*New security checkpoint with more security lanes to improve flow of passengers through the terminal, keeping lines and security wait times down; up to 12 lanes can be opened during peak travel periods, as needed, increased from six.
*New 25,000-square-foot ticket lobby, with 32 airline counter check-in positions and 10 self-service kiosks
*Expanded, 9,200-square-foot concessions area called Sunset Cove, where passengers can relax before their flights and take in views of the airfield and Point Loma
*More dining and shopping options, including Saffron, Bubbles Seafood & Wine Bar, Seaside Stack Shack, Qdoba, Red Mango and Tommy V's Pizzeria, located in Sunset Cove. Other shops and restaurants in the terminal expansion include Warwick's of La Jolla, Pannikin Coffee & Tea, Brooks Brothers, Swarovski, PGA Tour Shops, Stone Brewing Co. and Phil's BBQ Called "The Green Build" due to the Airport Authority's commitment to sustainability and the environment, as well as positive economic impact, the project created a role for 7,000 workers, including local, small, disadvantaged and minority-owned businesses. A positive outcome of the Airport Authority's aggressive small business outreach program was that more than $415 million in contracts were awarded to local businesses, with $118 million going to small businesses.
“The Green Build takes San Diego International Airport to a new level,” says Thella F. Bowens, president and CEO of the Airport Authority. “We're proud of the economic benefit this project brought to the region, including construction jobs and work for local businesses.”
The Green Build is designed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver certification from the USGBC--a testament to the airport's commitment to sustainability--and may achieve LEED Gold. Official LEED status is currently under consideration and is expected by mid-2014.
The Green Build was funded by user fees, airport revenue bonds, airport cash and FAA grants. The project is expected to finish $45 million under budget at a total cost of $907 million--$820 million for the project and the remainder in financing costs. A portion of the savings was the result of the Airport Authority's two successful bond sales. The organization was able to secure significantly low true interest cost of 3.92% (2013) and 4.38% (2010), saving millions over the life of the bonds.
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Natalie Dolce
Natalie Dolce, editor-in-chief of GlobeSt.com and GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum, is responsible for working with editorial staff, freelancers and senior management to help plan the overarching vision that encompasses GlobeSt.com, including short-term and long-term goals for the website, how content integrates through the company’s other product lines and the overall quality of content. Previously she served as national executive editor and editor of the West Coast region for GlobeSt.com and Real Estate Forum, and was responsible for coverage of news and information pertaining to that vital real estate region. Prior to moving out to the Southern California office, she was Northeast bureau chief, covering New York City for GlobeSt.com. Her background includes a stint at InStyle Magazine, and as managing editor with New York Press, an alternative weekly New York City paper. In her career, she has also covered a variety of beats for M magazine, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, FashionLedge.com, and Co-Ed magazine. Dolce has also freelanced for a number of publications, including MSNBC.com and Museums New York magazine.
