Reconfigured terminal, readiness for rail and new hotel are on DIA's wish list
Back in the winter of 1995, I departed for (I think) Honduras from Denver's Stapleton International Airport and returned home several days later flying into the newly opened Denver International Airport. That was more than 14 years ago, but people still sometimes call DIA "the new airport." Since then DIA has added a sixth runway, at 16,000 North America's longest commercial precision-instrument runway, which in allows fully loaded jumbo jet to take off at Denver's mile-high elevation even during the summer. With more than 52 million passengers, it is the world's 10th-busiest airport. It has only closed twice because of exceptionally heavy snows, once in March 2003 and again in December 20
06.
06. There have, however, been some missing elements for a modern world-class airport, notably a hotel right at the terminal and a railroad station or lightrail station for intermodal connections. The Denver City Council has been presented with redesign plans that could include remaking the "Great Hall," as I just learned the main terminal under signature white Teflon tented roof is call, so that it is after rather than before TSA checkpoints. Designers recognize that snaking lines of passengers waiting to be screened is not the best use of this grandiose space. Also included would be a FasTracks train station at the airport, rail bridges for the route into the airport and a new Westin hotel adjacent to the terminal.
The price tag? It could be a billion buckaroos or so, some of which would theoretically be paid for from revenues and recaptured from increased business generated by shops and restaurants in the main terminal that connecting passengers could access without have to go through security again. The timetable? Who knows?
I don't know whether any or all of this will come to pass, but an exciting side note is that Santiago Calatrava, an award-winning Spanish architect, is on the "DIA makeover team." He is a European architectural superstar who has designed transportation projects around the world. I have seen two of them, one in Manchester, England, and the other in Barcelona, Spain (above right). I hope we'll have a chance to see his work at DIA.
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Nice post.. i will be visiting Denver on August. I enjoy travel blogs that post images as its very important for readers to have actual references.
ReplyDeleteHave a good day
Hello! I just stumbled upon your blog. I am a Denver native, and this airport business is exciting news. I think DIA is a spectacular airport. I have traveled to many airports across the country, and DIA always seems to be the most plesant experience. I love flying out of and into DIA. Into can be a bit bumpy though :)
ReplyDeleteMy mother flew out of Stapleton to Calgary and flew into DIA "the new airport"! It was a big deal to go and pick her up. hahaha!
I love the blog. I am trying to get a little travel blog going as well. If you want, check it out...
travelerhudd.blogspot.com
I read this a few days ago and was immediately against it - for the reason of closing a gleaming bright public staple to the public.
ReplyDeleteBut in thinking about it I rarely go INTO the great hall unless I'm actually flying, and if picking up people I generally have them me me curbside anyway. So I suppose it wouldn't make that big of a difference to Denver residents.
A commuter rail station INSIDE the terminal, ala Chicago O'Hare or Amsterdam would be something truly impressive, and something I believe no other city in the west can boast except for San Fransisco.
Let's get it done...
Rail terminal in or adjacent to the terminal -- not just Chicago and Amsterdam, but also Zurich, Geneva, Munich, Frankfurt, Charles de Gaulle, Heathrow, etc. Newark has a monorail that stops at all three terminals and links directly to commuter and Amtrak trains. It's happening here, but slo-o-o-o-wly
ReplyDeleteIts a very nice idea for safety. I have got so good locks from CouponPundits site.
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