Wednesday, May 17, 2006 New airport baggage area should cut down on hassle By Paul T. Rosynsky The Oroville (CA) Mercury-Register OAKLAND - Fighting for a spot to pick up suitcases at Oakland International Airport's crowded luggage carousel will be a task of the past, airport officials said Tuesday as they unveiled a new baggage claim building. In the first of a series of ribbon-cutting ceremonies expected this year, officials excitedly showed off the first completed project of the airport's $300 million terminal expansion. "This new baggage claim area represents Oakland International Airport's future," said Kenneth Katzoff, president of the Oakland Port Commission."We're pleased to give you a preview of that future today." Once it opens to air travelers in a couple of weeks, the 27,000-square-foot building should eliminate one of the biggest complaints passengers have had about the rapidly growing airport. For years, travelers have left the airport frustrated by an antiquated baggage claim area built to accommodate only half the baggage it is handling now. Many have walked off planes confused, not knowing which carousel their bags would end up on or forced to jostle through a swarm of fellow passengers to retrieve them. All that will change with the new terminal. "It's going to be a lot more functional," Airport Director Steve Grossman said. The new baggage claim area will have three carousels, each capable of holding baggage from two Boeing 737s. It has a terrazzo floor to help cut down on maintenance and two new bathrooms, each capable of handling dozens of passengers at a time. An intriguing aspect of the terminal is a video art display on the back wall that will show video works of Bay Area artists. "While you are waiting ... we will tickle your fancy with art expressions," said Port Commissioner Darlene Ayers-Johnson, who spearheaded the drive to bring public art to the airport. "We hope that while you're waiting you will be entertained and stimulated." The 8-foot by 21-foot video screen will show the works of various artists on a rotating basis. The new building also will relieve crowding in Terminal 2 by allowing the airport to transform its current baggage claim area into an expanded security checkpoint. That project is scheduled to begin as soon as the new building opens. Attached Photo: THE PORT OF OAKLAND celebrates the opening of a new baggage claim building at Oakland International Airport. The 27,000-square-foot building is the first completed project of the airport's $300 million terminal expansion.
20060517_071652_airportbagage.jpg
