A $1. 6 billion renovation project for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport was recently unveiled by the city on May 6. The project, designed by Paslay Group, a Fort Worth-based consulting firm specializing in airports, and Corgan, a Dallas-based architecture firm, aims to transform the airport into a modern and efficient travel hub.

The plans for the new airport, which is set to be completed in 2032, have been met with mixed reactions. While the renderings look impressive and convincing, it remains to be seen whether the final product will match the glossy images. The airport design has been described as typical of today’s corporate modern architecture, with a depersonalized and bland appearance.

The centerpiece of the project is a new main terminal, which is depicted in the renderings as a large, luminous glass rectangle with a wavy roof that is meant to evoke the waves of Lake Erie. While the design is appealing and easy to understand, some have criticized it for being simplistic and lacking dynamism. It also remains to be seen if the final product will feature rich materials and fine details.

According to Bryant Francis, the city’s director of airports, the design for the project is only about 15% complete, despite the photorealistic quality of the renderings. He has assured that the design will continue to evolve in the coming months. City Council and the City Planning Commission have requested to see more detailed plans and renderings that show the terminal from street-level perspectives.

The project will also involve the construction of a 1,600-space Gold Lot for surface parking and a new tunnel for the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority’s Red Line trains. A new garage with 4,000 to 6,000 spaces will be built on the site of the existing Orange Lot, while the existing garage will be demolished to make way for the new main terminal. All costs for the project will be covered by the airlines that use the airport.

The new terminal, which will be more than twice the size of the old one, will provide more space and higher ceilings. However, walking distances will be longer, with the walk to the end of Concourse C increasing from 1,965 feet to 2,490 feet. While this may be a concern for some, the new terminal will also feature a single security checkpoint, making the travel experience more efficient and dignified.

The most striking aspect of the project is the strange-looking, landlocked infield that will be left behind when the old terminal is demolished. It is unclear what will be done with this space, and the airport has not yet released any plans for it.

Despite some concerns and uncertainties, the new plans for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport represent a bold and necessary change. The existing terminal, which has become cramped and cluttered over the years, will be replaced with a modern and efficient travel hub.