RDU Airport, NC – When completed, Raleigh-Durham International Airport’s Terminal C will reflect the rolling hills of North Carolina. At today’s Airport Authority meeting, architect Curtis Fentress unveiled a model illustrating the major architectural elements of the redeveloped terminal. The presentation is the latest milestone in a project that will transform Terminal C into a multi-airline facility that will greatly enhance the passenger travel experience.

Fentress, of Denver-based Fentress Bradburn Architects, was charged with the task of developing a facility that reflects changes in the aviation industry, as well as the region the airport serves.

“What we do is design for a great deal of flexibility,” said Fentress. “Technology and airports’ needs rapidly change, and security procedures, in particular, are now more than ever in a state of flux. Having a facility that accommodates change is the key to a successful airport terminal building.”

“Throughout the design process, we remained focused on the passenger experience and how we could improve it,” said Dave Powell, RDU’s director of major capital improvements. “The result is a terminal layout that will intuitively guide passengers from ticketing to security checkpoint to the concourse.”

When completed, Terminal C will accommodate RDU’s strong local market, as well as a wide range of aircraft sizes. Major features of the terminal include a new north concourse, expanded ticketing and security checkpoint areas and a new federal inspection facility for the processing of international flights.

RDU staff, along with a team of airport experts and Authority members, developed a project definition plan to guide the redevelopment and expansion of the terminal. The initial project will not exceed $350 million and is designed to complement the total build-out of the terminal project in the future.

Pre-construction activities will begin late this year with the demolition of the north concourse of the terminal. Construction will begin in mid- 2005. The redevelopment of the north concourse will be completed in 2008 with all construction completed in 2009.

American Airlines built the terminal in the late 1980s as an airline hub facility. The Airport Authority acquired the airline’s leasehold to the building in 2002.

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