LaGuardia Opens First Phase of Mega Redo
LaGuardia unveils the first seven of 35 gates for use in the new Terminal B
The first seven gates of the Western Concourse of Terminal B opened today at LaGuardia Airport, New York. The new 218,000 square foot concourse is opening in two phases, allowing the remaining gates in the original terminal to stay operational during construction.
American Airlines will operate in the new Western Concourse as well as through the original terminal’s D gates while construction continues. Passengers will check-in at the new Terminal B Arrivals and Departures Hall, which opened in June of 2020, and connect to the new Western Concourse through a temporary walkway. The final phase of the Western Concourse is scheduled to open by early 2022.
In this first phase, seven of a projected total of 17 gates are opening, along with the Gotham News newsstand and a portion of the concourse’s park, featuring greenery and benches, plenty of natural light, and soaring ceilings up to 55 feet high. Its restrooms include spacious stalls and above-sink shelves to keep belongings dry.
In addition, the Western Concourse highlights two pieces of artwork inspired by New York City. The Big Apple sculpture was given by the artist Romero Britto to American Airlines for display at LaGuardia in 2006. The artist recently restored the piece, and it is now back in Terminal B. The sculpture was inspired by his love of New York City and uses vibrant colors to convey happiness and hope.
The second piece is titled A Queens Tribute by Meres One. The artist is Jonathan Cohen, or Meres One as he is better-known. The piece is a visual postcard from Queens, New York. He tackled the three-letter airport code – LGA — as a visual dedication to his childhood borough and home base of his outdoor museum, 5 Pointz. Installed on the wall of Gotham News by shop operator Marshall Retail Group, the piece is designed to be seen from aircraft as passengers go through the gates.
“Today’s opening of the first seven new gates in Terminal B’s Western Concourse is part of 18 months of fast progress as we near the finish line of the complete transformation of LaGuardia Airport,” said Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “Thanks to Governor Cuomo’s vision and leadership, construction of A Whole New LaGuardia Airport continues full speed ahead with this summer’s opening of the new Arrivals and Departures Hall, the early opening of the new concourse and gates, and completion of nearly 75 percent of all roadway work due to the reduction in traffic.”
“The opening of these first gates in the Western Concourse is yet another achievement in the Terminal B redevelopment this year,” said Jane Garvey, Chairman of Meridiam North America and Chair of the Board of LaGuardia Gateway Partners.
In July 2015, Governor Cuomo unveiled the vision for a comprehensive redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport, which included the new 1.3 million square foot Terminal B. With a construction value of $4B, the Terminal B project is one of the largest public-private partnerships in American history and the largest in US aviation. The Terminal B redevelopment includes a new 35-gate terminal, a parking garage, and a Central Hall, which will unify the airport by connecting to Terminal C, which is also being redeveloped.
