The design of the expansion mimics the existing Concourse A that was completed by Hensel Phelps in 2006 and features a new Apron Level and Departures Level. The 24,000-square-foot Apron Level includes support spaces such as a mechanical room, electrical and communication rooms, and custodial storage rooms. In addition, there is space for concession storage to support the concessions on the Departures Level and additional space to be occupied by Southwest Airlines. The 31,000-square-foot Departures Level includes five new gates sized to accommodate Boeing 737 MAX8 aircrafts. The level features 5,000 square feet of new food and beverage and retail concessions and new men’s and women’s restrooms.
The restrooms have been updated to a new standard that will serve as template for planned bathroom renovations across the rest of the airport and combine some of the best design aspects from restrooms around the country and the world. These design aspects include independent restroom stalls with independent HVAC; niches for bag and wardrobe bags; full-height FRP doors; intelligent restroom systems including indicator lights over the stall that come on when the lock is engaged, tracking of time between cleanings and when cleaners are actively cleaning the bathrooms; and high-end bathroom finishes.
Southwest Airlines and MAA operations continued throughout construction, necessitating close coordination during operations such as fuel line modifications, trench drain work, and tying into existing utilities. In addition, Hensel Phelps coordinated with concessionaire tenants and airport operations to eliminate unplanned operational impacts.
