Last Wednesday was an exciting day in Key West. After completing 100% design in just over 10 months, with an early construction package to market in 6 months, McFarland Johnson (MJ) joined community leaders and project team members for the ground-breaking of Key West International Airports New Concourse A and Terminal Improvements program. MJ provided planning, programming, engineering design, stakeholder coordination, and permitting services for the over $100M terminal program to design a much needed open, modern, and efficient seven-gate Concourse A totaling 48,802 SF. Expansion will include space for 7 passenger boarding bridges/hold rooms, expanded concessions, restrooms, new TSA security checkpoint, expanded baggage claim and new airline support areas.
Photo by Monroe County Public Information Officer Kristen Livengood
“McFarland Johnson is honored to lead the design team and program management of the Concourse A project. We’re excited to reach this critical milestone and eager to bring this generational project to life for Monroe County and the Florida Keys,” project leader John Mafera shared.
The building’s design features a single-story concrete structure elevated 14.5 feet above ground to align with the second level of the existing terminal and remain above storm surge and flood elevations. Nearly 30-foot-tall glass windows spanning the north side of the building, with additional clerestory windows on the south side, will flood the space with natural lighting and gives a sense of transparency while enhancing the passenger experience including glass passenger boarding bridges.
Additionally, the existing landside terminal building will be renovated and improved to accommodate an expanded TSA security checkpoint with 4 lanes and added support spaces. A new extended passenger bridge located post security will connect the existing landside terminal building with the new Concourse A. It will also provide passengers with direct access to the lower-level baggage claim area. At the existing ground level Concourse, a planned baggage-claim expansion will provide efficiency to support the increased baggage operations.
