Residents, stakeholders weigh in on Provo airport terminal and master plan during open house
Aviation architect Michael Becker holds three photos chosen by a member of the community that represent elements of what they would like to see in the new Provo Airport Terminal during a public open house Wednesday, June 19, 2019. Becker encouraged people to tell him why they chose those particular photos. He will gather all of the comments and hopefully mingle them into a completed draft of what that airport terminal might look like.
Baggage handlers unload luggage from an Allegiant Airbus 319 at the Provo Airport on Monday, April 16, 2018, in Provo.
Residents and stakeholders interested in the new Provo Municipal Airport terminal were asked to offer up thoughts on the terminal’s style and design during Wednesday’s public open house.
Michael Becker, project manager and senior aviation consultant for RS&H architecture, used photos of several interior and exterior building designs to have people share their vision of what an airport terminal in Provo should look like – what message should it give.
For airport manager Steve Gleason, that message would include two specific ideas: how arriving there would be a feeling of coming to a high tech hometown, and how leaving the amenities and design would help make departures easier.
“We want to eliminate anxiety of travel,” Gleason said. “When you walk in the terminal, we want to make sure the first thing you see is not TSA (Transportation Security Administration). And after you leave TSA, you should feel your vacation has begun.”
Among possible features and amenities are a family area, a private area for nursing mothers, children’s play area, a quiet business center, eateries featuring local food establishments and above all, Gleason wants it to be tech-friendly.
“I don’t want anyone out of the reach of a working plug to charge their phones and laptops,” Gleason said. “I want there to be enough seats as well.”
Gleason would personally like to see a strong heritage theme in the airport redesign.
“As a sixth-generation coming from Provo, it is important to me how Provo is represented,” Gleason said.
Joel M. Racker, president and CEO of Explore Utah Valley, housed at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo said the airport’s new look is very important to his message.
“It’s a game-changer,” Racker said. “We’re fortunate for a big regional airport. We are talking to event planners all over the country.”
Racker said they are working with Lyft for large group options.
Racker hopes other airlines and destinations are in the mix as the terminal and airport move forward.
Residents at the open house were asked to take a sticky note and answer a couple of questions:
- What would you want a visitor to learn about Provo by what they see at the airport?
- If you could choose three things to be included in the new airport terminal what would they be?
“We’re listening,” Becker said. “Because this is the story the building will tell.”
Beth Alligood, the southwest neighborhood’s area representative said, “I would like to see a lot of community involvement in the design. It can stand out as a monument. I love the three-picture visualization so people can see what’s happening.”
The evening including discussions on runways and future hope for a new parallel runway for student’s planes and small private jets.
Currently there are intersecting runways. The 18 runway is the one that needs to go, according to Gleason.
“The 18 won’t go away for 10 to 15 years,” Gleason said. “It being gone allows for the parallel runways.”
“We love the community involvement not only on the terminal but the master plan.” Gleason said. “We really are trying to be good neighbors.”
Gleason said they have even changed flight patterns to keep the noise over nearby neighborhoods to a minimum.
“The vast majority of noise goes out over the lake,” Gleason said.
While the terminal is expected to break ground sometime in the fall Provo’s public works crews have already built a much needed sewer lift station for the airport expansion and Duncan Aviation.
Work at the airport is constant and the crew hard working but small. During Tuesday’s Municipal Council meeting the council approved $60,000 to cover overtime wages and other needs relative to personnel.
The newly approved budget reflects the addition of one new full-time employee but Gleason said they need four more.
Gleason would like to hear from more members of the community on their desire for the terminal and its design. Residents may fill out a questionnaire online at the city website https://provo.org.
