The Port of Huntsville celebrated its 45th anniversary with the opening of its most recent capital-improvement project: Huntsville International’s (HSV) new baggage-claim area.
The new space marks the completion of a five-year, multi-phased, $92M project, of which the baggage-claim area cost $25.9M.
“We embarked on this project to meet the tremendous needs of our growing community and region,” says Rick Tucker, Port of Huntsville executive director. “Our goal was to create both a welcoming place for our residents to return, and a first-class impression to those traveling to our city.”
Among the improvements to the baggage-claim area were three underground fed baggage carousels; the addition of a second elevated crosswalk to a new parking date; five escalators; one glass elevator; two jumbotrons; new grand transportation and rental car area; an additional public waiting area; and expanded curbside for loading and unloading.
At 10,620 sq. ft, it is more than triple the size of the old space, which was last updated in 1988.
“The culmination of the baggage-claim opening and our 45th anniversary is a fitting tribute to all those who came before us and helped lay the foundation for what is now a premier transportation center, not only in the Tennessee Valley region but the entire world,” says Betty Fletcher, chairman of the Port of Huntsville board of directors.
