Airport News

Denver International Airport (DIA) celebrated a construction milestone yesterday (29 August) at the South Terminal Redevelopment Program with a ceremony to mark the release and transfer of the Jeppesen Terminal roof tension cables to temporary structures that will support the tents for the duration of construction.

Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock, elected officials, travel and aviation industry members and employees impacted by the Program attended the ceremony.

“We are building Denver’s future today at DIA,” said Mayor Hancock. “On the face of it, ‘building’ can appear simple: a hotel, a train station. But ‘building’ also means opportunities and jobs for local and diverse businesses, spurring a new frontier of economic growth for the entire region.”

The South Terminal Redevelopment Program will complete the original vision of the airport, adding a 500-room Westin hotel and a Public Transit Center to house the RTD East Rail Line, which will connect DIA to downtown Denver. The Program is expected to create nearly 1,000 jobs, including 600-700 construction and design jobs and more than 200 permanent hotel jobs, generating approximately US$2 million (£1.26 million) in annual tax revenues for the City and County of Denver’s General Fund.

“We have been rolling up our sleeves, working hard to get the South Terminal Redevelopment Program off the ground and the project is progressing on schedule,” said DIA aviation manager Kim Day. “Today we officially unleashed the Program when Mayor Hancock knocked out the final pin anchoring our iconic tent roof into the ground. It was a proud moment for Stu Williams, his team and all the employees who have been doing just tremendous work in support of this initiative.”

DIA also unveiled a new design animation and architectural model for the Program that will be on display inside the south end of Jeppesen Terminal. The animation can be viewed on DIA's YouTube Channel.

“In our new animation and architectural model, the public will see a modern, 21st century design that complements our iconic Jeppesen Terminal,” continued Day. “Throughout the South Terminal Redevelopment Program design process, our focus has been to create new, game-changing amenities for our passengers and employees and to strengthen the public’s sense of pride and ownership in DIA.”

Gensler, lead architect on the design of the Program’s hotel and Public Transit Center, has created a swooping form whose curved lines are inspired by the City of Denver and its surrounding natural environment.

“Our goal is to create a true community that enables travelers – both locals and those passing through – to connect to the greater city of Denver,” said Jennifer Johnson, managing director of Gensler’s Denver office. “Gensler has been in Denver for 39 years and by leveraging our local knowledge, in tandem with our firm’s extensive airport, hospitality and retail design experience, we look forward to playing a key role in transforming our city’s gateway as we create new opportunities for the Denver metro region.”