The groundbreaking ceremony for the new passenger terminal project at Hollywood Burbank Airport, named “Elevate BUR,” was recently initiated by the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority (BGPAA). This state-of-the-art terminal, costing $1.2 billion and spanning 355,000 square feet, is designed to replace the current terminal, ensuring compliance with FAA standards and state building regulations while enhancing the overall passenger experience.
Over 250 members of our community including leaders and stakeholders gathered to commemorate the commencement of construction, for this undertaking.
Felicia Williams, President of the BGPAA expressed her admiration for Hollywood Burbank Airport highlighting its staff, airlines and convenient services. She also commended the Airport Commissioners’ diverse backgrounds, in finance, law, construction and public service. Their collective commitment ensures that this project progresses smoothly within the designated timeframe and budget.
The new terminal building is 50% larger than the existing one; creating more space between the runways and the terminal. It will also be updated to comply with earthquake design regulations and ADA accessibility standards. The new terminal, spanning 355,000 feet will replace the existing one to meet the requirements set by the FAA and State building codes. This upgrade aims to enhance the experience, for passengers.
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New Amenities: The upcoming terminal, Elevate BUR will provide a range of choices, for shopping and dining, improved restroom facilities and increased space, for movement. A revamped ticketing lobby, enhanced baggage screening system, modernized TSA checkpoint and a brand new baggage claim area will all contribute to making travel more convenient.
Enhanced Accessibility and Safety: Ensuring the safety of both our passengers and employees remains our priority. The new facility has been meticulously designed to incorporate increased separation, between airport runways and the terminal building. Additionally, it encompasses enhancements to comply with earthquake design regulations as well as ADA accessibility standards. To further facilitate passenger convenience we have incorporated an aircraft parking area spanning 45,900 feet for seamless boarding and deplaning. Moreover a brand new parking structure equipped with vehicle charging facilities has been constructed, along with an upgraded, on airport access road.
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As part of our dedication, to reducing air emissions and promoting sustainability the Elevate BUR project has been designed to decrease the emissions of the airport. Additionally it aims to achieve a minimum of LEED Silver certification. To ensure sustainability we have incorporated features such as electrical vehicle charging stations, electric ground service equipment, on the airside and connections that reduce water usage by linking with our transit network. These are a few examples of the initiatives we have implemented.
“We’re thrilled to commemorate this achievement that brings us closer, to enhancing the travel experience for our passengers ” expressed Frank Miller, the Executive Director of Hollywood Burbank Airport. “I would like to express my gratitude to our Commissioners and the residents of Burbank for their support as, without them this project would not have been possible.”
Project Partners
Jacobs Project Management is, in charge of overseeing the project management services for Elevate BUR. The design-build project is being spearheaded by Holder, Pankow, TEC, Joint Venture (HPTJV) with Corgan collaborating as the service provider for the project in partnership, with CannonDesign.
Elevate BUR Project Timeline
The construction of the terminal is scheduled to occur between 2024 and 2026. The BGPAA is dedicated to minimizing any disruptions caused by the construction and ensuring that passengers and the community are well informed about the progress.
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Challenges to Elevate BUR Project
Many people living in Burbank and Studio City are worried that the terminal will lead to air traffic and noise in the area. They are concerned because flight paths were altered in 2016 directing planes towards Studio City using a pattern or waypoint.
Airport officials have been actively seeking a solution, for this issue since then. However they faced opposition and legal disputes, from neighboring communities concerned about the effects. In 2016 the community came to an agreement when Measure B was approved by a 70% majority vote allowing the construction of the terminal to proceed as planned.
Funding for Elevate BUR Project
The project has already managed to secure one-third of the required funding, for the $1.25 billion endeavor. The funding for the relocated terminal will not come from state, county, or local governments. Will be covered by airport improvement grants, revenue bonds, from the airport and fees collected from passengers, airlines and businesses operating on site.
During the construction of Elevate BUR the current airport terminal will remain fully operational. Once the new space is ready the old terminal will be demolished to expand the planes’ taxiways.
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