By KWGS News
Tulsa, OK – Today the Tulsa Airport Improvements Trust awarded a $15.9 million Terminal Concourse B Renovation Contract to Manhattan Construction Group of Tulsa, OK. The architects for the project were Benham and Gensler, engineers are Benham, and URS will serve as Project Manager.
The project is part of the airport's overall $164 million Capital Improvement Program and will include the complete renovation of Concourse B which currently houses the gates and operations for Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.
The project will be funded through Passenger Facility Charges and will begin in September 2010. The entire Concourse B project is expected to take 550 days to complete, will employ approximately 200 people, and have an expected lifespan of 20-30 years.
A unique challenge the airport will face during this project is to keep the airline areas on the concourse operational during the renovation. The first phase of upper (passenger) level renovation - considered the most difficult portion of the project - will begin with the front half of Concourse B. Dust walls will be installed to form passenger walkways which will allow for continued airline operations on the rear half of Concourse B. Once the front half is complete all airlines will move to the newly renovated gates and the rear half of Concourse B will be blocked off and renovated.
The renovation will replace electrical, lighting, HVAC systems, roofing, communications and plumbing infrastructure, fixtures, fire protection equipment, and many interior renovations and upgrades. In addition, the removal of select walls will allow for open gate holding areas along both sides of Concourse B and the ceilings will be raised approximately 8 inches with skylights installed down the center of the concourse.
The renovation includes a number of environmentally friendly elements:
- Along with the added skylights, daylight sensors will be installed to dim electric lights when adequate daylight is available.
- The HVAC system will be replaced with high efficiency heat and air conditioning equipment with energy recovery and variable speed fans.
- High efficiency ultra-low water usage fixtures will be used in the restroom renovations.
- Enhanced roof insulation will help to further reduce energy consumption.
- Recycled materials are being incorporated into new carpeting and finishes.
"This will be one of our most visible projects - even more than the construction of our central checkpoint and connector boulevard - as passengers and airlines will continue to use the concourse during its renovation," said Airports Director Jeff Mulder. "We anticipate our renovations will receive a great response from the traveling public as we strive to improve TUL and enhance the passenger experience at our airport".
Upon completion of the Concourse B renovation, the airport will begin awarding contracts for the renovation of Concourse A which houses gates and operations for American Airlines, Continental Airlines, and Delta Airlines. The renovation of both Concourse B and A is expected to take a total of 4 years.