St. Louis Lambert International Airport is gearing up for a much-needed transformation that has been in the works for several years. The project, currently in the design phase, is being led by local design firm HOK and Construction Manager at Risk AECOM Hunt. The airport, which is nearly 70 years old, has long been in need of an upgrade and city leaders are emphasizing the importance of modernizing the facility.
HOK, a global architecture firm known for its work on major airports such as Chicago O’Hare and New York’s LaGuardia, is leading the design efforts. AECOM Hunt, known for its innovative and passenger-friendly airport projects across the nation, will serve as the Construction Manager at Risk. The company has previously worked on projects such as the North Terminal at Louis Armstrong New Orleans and The Jackson Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta.
The decision to revamp the airport comes after a year of growing frustration with the current terminal’s capacity and infrastructure. This was particularly evident during the Seventh Day Adventist General Conference, which brought 30,000 visitors to the city and caused chaos at the airport. City Comptroller Donna Baringer, who serves on the St. Louis Airport Commission, believes that the current terminal is not equipped to handle the demands of modern air travel and is excited to be involved in the project.
Baringer also stressed the economic benefits of modernizing the airport, including increased tourism and conventions, as well as potential for growth in air traffic. She believes that the airport is a crucial catalyst for regional development and sees the potential for increased revenue from taxes generated by tourism and business travel.
To ensure that the new terminal meets the needs of the city and its visitors, local planners have looked to other airports for inspiration. The recently completed billion-dollar terminal in Kansas City, which features local businesses and vendors, has been highly praised for its efficiency and design. The St. Louis team hopes to replicate this success by incorporating local flavors, such as toasted ravioli and frozen custard, into the revamped concessions program.
Catherine Neville with Explore St. Louis emphasized the importance of a modern and welcoming airport for the city’s future. She believes that the airport is the first impression visitors have of the city and can greatly impact their perception. The city has seen record numbers in hotel bookings and convention attendance, making a positive first impression even more crucial.
Funding for the project is expected to come from airport bonds and revenue from airlines and concessions, meaning taxpayers will not be responsible for the cost. If all goes as planned, the new terminal could be completed in as little as five years, with a more conservative estimate of seven years. Eli Hoisington, HOK’s co-CEO and design principal for the St. Louis studio, expressed excitement about the project and the opportunity to collaborate with the city and airport team.
As planning continues, Pastor Trevor Barnes of Northside Seventh Day Adventist Church is looking forward to a state-of-the