What do Great Lakes shipwrecks, a wildlife sanctuary and concrete blocks have in common? They all provided design inspiration for the new terminal at Alpena County Regional Airport (APN) in northeast Michigan.
Replacing a dated and inefficient building, the new terminal includes more space, updated security and several firsts for APN: a passenger boarding bridge, an automated baggage system and airside restrooms. While adding the new amenities, the airport and design team also managed to pay homage to the region’s rich industrial background, storied maritime history and rustic Northwoods surroundings.
“There is no comparison between the old and the new terminal,” says Airport Manager Steve Smigelski. “Our old terminal was about 6,000 square feet and was the flower of 1950s design technology. After Sept. 11, when a passenger holdroom had to be constructed, the terminal took on less of an open floor plan and began to resemble a rat’s maze. It was terrible for passenger flow, it was terrible for checking bags and there was no efficient movement. The new, nearly 13,000-square-foot terminal is such a tremendous improvement for the airport and the entire Alpena County community.
https://alpenaairport.com/
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