Evansville airport, built in 1988, to get a more modern look

The terminal was built in 1988, and this will be its first major facelift. The first phase, which is construction of an addition to the southeast side of the terminal, is to begin this summer and take about a year to complete. The addition will house the airport’s administrative offices and boardroom.

Airport officials say work on the second and third phases also could begin this year, as contracts are awarded.

The second phase will be outdoor improvements.

Three new canopies will cover the road in front of the terminal, offering protection for those walking up from the parking lot.

“When you walk up the steps, those things are crumbling,” said Jeff Justice, president of the local architectural firm Hafer. “All that is being replaced, we’ll have new paving, LED lighting, things like that.”

The third phase involves interior renovations and will take the longest to complete.

For passengers, the most noticeable changes will be the single security line which will meet them as they leave the ticketing area, and the availability of food service once they clear security.

Not having food service available post-security is an inconvenience for passengers, and it has significantly restricted food sales at EVV over the years, according to airport officials.

The restaurant’s kitchen is being made more compact, and its redesigned seating area will flow out into the concourse space, allowing diners to look out at the runway area.

There will still be a pre-security point where a drink or food item may be ordered as part of a turntable arrangement, but the new restaurant will cater mostly to post-security traffic, Justice said.

Other new post-security amenities will include a children’s play area, with family restrooms and a nursing room.

The project’s cost includes $5 million from the state’s Regional Cities Initiative program. EVV is funding the remainder.

New Transportation Safety Administration requirements for airports were the driving force behind the project, and they initiated a larger discussion of what updates EVV needed, Justice said. The administrative office had to be relocated, for example, since it is currently behind where the new security line will be.

The airport’s board on Monday viewed Hafer’s renderings of the renovations. During the meeting, the board approved a $10 million loan with Old National Bank to cover the airport’s share of the project.

EVV has had 66,949 passengers board planes this year, up from 61,438 through the same period last year, the board was told Monday.