With the Columbus Regional Airport Authority announcing the next steps in reimagining John Glenn International Airport, a $1 billion project is now in the planning stages.

Time for a new terminal

Per the Columbus Dispatch, this means growing the main terminal to 900,000 sqft with 35 to 40 gates (currently, there are 31 gates). The decision to do this now is because airport officials said it’s no longer economically sustainable to continue repairing the existing terminal which is almost 70 years old.

Because of this, the current terminal will be demolished once the new one is built. However, with the project still in the planning phase, it is unclear when construction will start and finish. Airport officials did note that the project will be completed in phases.

Plans for more parking

With the airport currently offering 4,000 parking spots, the CRAA included plans to more than double this amount with 5,000 new spots by building a new parking garage.

Pilots of the project

The CRAA approved an agreement with Gensler, a San Francisco-based architecture, design, and planning firm, and Moody Nolan, a Columbus-based design firm, on Tuesday. Moody Nolan is an award-winning firm, most notably for its work locally which includes giving away homes to families in need.