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Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants improvements from “garage to gate” |
USA. Chicago Midway International will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a single-entity concessions operator in September, with 20,000sq ft of space added as part of a US$248 million renovation project at the airport.
Announcing the investment, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said concessions revenue was projected to double by 2019. Offering the “best of Chicago”, Emanuel said concessions areas, stores, and restaurants would be renovated, with shopping, dining, lounge facilities, spa services, and medical services added. The new concessions space will represent a +50% increase on the existing area.
The airport’s terminal parking garage and security checkpoints will also be improved as part of the project, which Emanuel said would “provide an improved experience for travellers from the garage to the gate, and ensure that our world class city has two world class airports”.
Emanuel added: “Midway is more than an airport. It is an important economic engine for the City of Chicago so with this modernisation we are making an essential investment in the future of Midway but also the future of Chicago.”
The project is expected to create 1,700 concession and construction jobs.
Aviation Commissioner Ginger Evans said: “Our proposal will make Midway Airport more efficient and more customer friendly for years to come. In order for our airports, and our city, to thrive we need to remain competitive – and that’s what this plan will achieve.”
After the RFP is issued in September, Chicago’s Department of Aviation expects to receive bids in mid-December 2015. It will then conduct evaluation of the bids in the first quarter of 2016 and advance the proposal in the City Council in the second quarter of 2016.
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Emanuel and Aviation Commissioner Ginger Evans want to create a competitive second airport |
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A rendering of the proposed improvement to Midway International |
