Airport officials and several special guests were on hand as Gerald R. Ford International (GRR) opened its expanded and renovated Concourse B this week.
Concourse B received two new airline gates and passenger hold rooms, restrooms, the MI Tap Room Restaurant & Bar, and Grand Rapids Magazine, a travel store.
Signage, Terrazzo flooring, carpeting and gate seating also were improved.
This was the culmination of a $12.3 million project that began in June 2013 that also included improvements to Concourse A, including an expansion of hold rooms, new seating and carpeting, updates to food and beverage offerings and another Grand Rapids Magazine travel store.
A new business area with expanded work space and charging stations also were added to Concourse A.
“Our primary goal is to ensure travelers have a positive experience when transitioning through our airport,” says Brian Ryks, executive director at GRR. “The airport is the first and last impression when visiting our region, and it is important travelers get a sense of what West Michigan has to offer as soon as they step off the aircraft.”
The new MI Tap Room is operated by HMSHost Corp. at GRR. The travel stores, which feature a refrigerated snacks section and a selection of magazines, travel items and West Michigan-themed products, are operated by World Duty Free Group. Alliiance and Tower Pinkster were project designers. The Christman Co. was the general contractor.
