With Large Scanners in Place, Gerald R. Ford International Airport Needs More Room

With Large Scanners in Place, Airport Needs More Room 
Muskegon Chronicle, MI

Monday, March 01, 2004 

Four years after rebuilding the inside of the
terminal, Gerald R. Ford International Airport again
is talking about a multimillion-dollar makeover. 
     
Blame it on those huge baggage scanners. 

The minivan-size explosives detectors, installed after
the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, are improving
air safety. But they don't exactly sit in front of the
ticket counters like welcome mats. 

The six machines have become the focus of a new
"master plan," a mandatory update of the airport's
long-term strategy. 

Since last year, officials have met with consultants
and community members to determine what's ahead for
West Michigan's dominant air hub. 

By 2023, an estimated 4 million passengers will pass
through each year -- up 100 percent over this year's
projected traffic. Annual cargo volume will more than
double to 160 million pounds. The need for parking
spaces will climb from 5,100 to 9,500. 

No new runways will be required, but the terminal
could use 40,000 additional square feet. Another goal:
A parking garage, which was put on hold after the
terrorist attacks. 

"This is a wonderful airport, very functional, very
easy to get through," said Joe Navarrete, who is
leading a team of aviation consultants from a company
called HNTB. 

"They're ready to handle growth on the airfield. They
thought they were ready with the terminal," he said.
"Then these machines were dropped in. 

"Security screening is not going to go away. Our goal
is to get it out of the way," Navarrete said. "Not
only do you have less space to move around in, but
more things are going on." 

A survey found travelers dislike having to tote their
bags to the ticket counter and then to the X-ray
machines. 

It has "lowered the level of service," Joe Chang of
HNTB said. 

In 2000, Ford airport cut the ribbon on a $50 million
renovation, which stretched from plane gates to the
front lobby. 

The first leg of any expansion is estimated to cost
$20 million to $30 million, mostly to move the
luggage-screening system, which belongs to the
government. Airport Director Jim Koslosky said nothing
will happen unless Washington agrees to send money. 

"We are going to need heavy federal assistance," he
said. "We're fighting an uphill battle with the
federal budget." 

If the airport doesn't get money? 

"We'll live with the machines in the lobby until we
do," Koslosky said. 

Under the favored option, bags would be handed to a
ticket agent, then sent on an overhead conveyor to the
sophisticated X-ray machines outside the public's
view. 

"That would be a huge change from where we operate
now," said Pete Simms, local manager of American
Eagle, which has nine daily flights out of Grand
Rapids. 

The airport's federal security chief, John Mumma, said
his army of screeners will work anywhere in the
airport. 

"We can work on the roof. The airlines just have to
get the bags to us," he said. 

U.S. Rep. Vern Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids, is a senior
member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee. He'll help the airport "in every way
possible" but said money probably won't be available
until the government determines how to treat airports
equally. 

"The machines impede what was intended to be large
lobby space," acknowledged Ehlers, a frequent
traveler. "At the same time, I've been surprised how
they fill in without causing impossible jams.
Aesthetically they're not nice." 

While relocating the machines could be years away, a
multilevel parking deck is in the near future. 

The Kent County Aeronautics Board, which oversees the
airport, is expected to approve some design work this
year. The number of levels and spaces has not been
determined. Covered parking close to the terminal has
been a goal of local business leaders. 

"Vehicle numbers continue to grow. There's a solid
need to pursue it," airport spokesman Bruce
Schedlbauer said. 

The entrance to the airport would continue to be at
44th Street SE and Patterson Avenue. Consultants
looked at a possible second entrance directly from
I-96, but found it wouldn't save much time. 

Such a project would cost about $80 million and
require new roads and a tunnel, which would trigger
security concerns. 

A draft of the airport's new master plan should be
ready in a few months. It must be reviewed and
approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. 


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