New York is planning master plan design competitions for LaGuardia (LGA) and John F. Kennedy International (JFK) in an effort to revitalize those two major airports, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Oct. 20.
The plan also calls for “leveraging the unique regional economic development opportunities” at Republic (FRG) and Stewart International (SWF) to support job creation and growth.
The design competition will not conflict with upgrades planned by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, Cuomo said. PANYNJ, which operates several airports including LGA and JFK, is in the process of choosing a firm to construct a new Central Terminal at LGA, among other projects
In a statement, Cuomo said the state’s efforts will “complement hundreds of millions of dollars in improvements by the port authority that are already underway.”
“The existing [request for proposals] for LaGuardia Airport’s Central Terminal will continue concurrent to the 90-day master plan and redesign process, and the winning design can be modified to fit the redesign,” Cuomo added.
Cuomo announced in January that the state would assume management responsibility for construction at LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International to help break gridlock and make necessary improvements.
The goal is to develop infrastructure that better connects New York with local, national and international markets, Cuomo said.
“This is more important for New York than ever before, which is why the state is ambitiously investing in roads, bridges and tunnels on a scale that we haven’t seen in decades,” he said. “Our airport modernization plan not only enhances how our individual airports look and act in the 21st century but addresses how they must fundamentally work together to strategically grow New York’s economy,” he said.
The design competition for LGA and JFK begins Nov. 20. Design firms will have 60 days to develop plans, which must include a project implementation timeline. The plans may utilize public/private sector partnerships to finance and run elements of the redesign. The Port Authority Board of Commissioners will select the best three designs for each airport, and those finalists will each receive up to $500,000 to further develop their concept for further consideration. The state has not revealed how it will pay for any design implementation.
For LGA specifically, New York called on designers to “strategically envision the complete package of what LaGuardia Airport will look like and how it will function in the 21st century.” The state is asking that design submissions include plans for improving transportation to the airport, including possible high-speed ferries and improved rail service; a redesigned airport layout to increase access, including a potential ferry terminal at the airport; state-of-the-art amenities to offer best-in-class customer service and a diverse food and retail experience; and more resilient infrastructure in order to prepare the airport’s facilities to meet increasing and extreme weather threats.
For the JFK design competition, planners are asked to redesign the entire airport, with designs that enhance the transportation network, including that of the existing AirTrain that shuttles passengers between terminals, parking areas and the subway and Long Island Rail Road; explore the need to increase hotel capacity in the immediate area surrounding the airport; implement state-of-the-art amenities that are reflective of the New York region and also provide guests an array of dining and shopping options; and upgrade facilities across the board to modernize the airport.
Cuomo also announced plans for a regional cargo distribution hub at SWF, with focus on growing cargo capacity to relieve JFK of most cargo shipping facilities and create room to expand potential amenities and services there.
For FRG, the state plans to issue a request for information to identify parties interested in operating the airport. The airport has nearly 100 acres of available space, including hangar, office, restaurant and land vacancy.
