The first phase of the Appleton Airport Expansion will be ready for the more than 250 flights expected next week for the NFL draft.
An open house April 17 provided the public a first look at the $66 million project that more than doubled the airport’s size by adding 47,000 square feet.
Airport Director Abe Weber says the expansion was driven by customer demand as the airport traffic has more than doubled. The project was planned to encompass universal design, innovation, sustainability and be customer focused. The design Weber said is intended to make everyone feel welcome as they pass through the airport. The expansion includes solar power, reduced energy lighting, and efforts by Miron Construction to reduce construction waste.
The customer focus was evident in the new amenities including expanded restrooms, comfortable seating, a sensory room, a quiet room, multi-user areas, a new beer garden and a soon to come new restaurant.
“we’re really not done yet, this is just phase one,” Weber said. The next phase will begin by the end of April and will connect the existing concourses to the new concourse. The connection includes slopes instead of stairs or escalators.
Weber said there also will be improvements to the pickup and drop off areas. Future construction phases will expand ticketing and baggage claim areas and refresh existing concourse areas in the airport.
“We are solely focused on the customer journey, on that 15 minutes curb to gate, and we’re looking at all of the pinch points and making sure that we have a solution in place for them so that while the space may grow, the process and feel of the customer journey will still be faster, easier and more convenient,” he said.
