CHICAGO, 2012-08-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is pleased to announce the opening of a new Signature Flight Support Terminal at O’Hare International Airport today. The facility replaces the existing fixed-base operator (FBO) facility, which needed to be relocated as part of O’Hare’s ongoing airfield reconfiguration under the O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP).
The new Signature Flight Support FBO terminal provides support services to general aviation operators at O’Hare. The facility was built by Signature Flight Support Corporation at a cost of approximately $3 million. The 9,150-square-foot, single-story, state-of-the art building contains a large lobby, management offices, a conference room, crew lounge, VIP Lounge, Ground Support Equipment Maintenance Bay and supporting restroom facilities with showers. As with all new construction at Chicago’s airports, sustainability was incorporated into the building’s design, construction and operation. The total leasehold area of the FBO facility, including the building, vehicle parking area and green space is about 151,600 square feet – more than 25 percent larger than the previous facility’s area. Construction on the facility began in June 2011.
The project also included construction of a new general aviation ramp built by the CDA to support the relocated terminal facility. The 52,000-square-yard ramp area is designed to accommodate a mix of aircraft up to Aviation Design Group IV along with a supporting taxi lane.
The new Signature Fight Support terminal is located on the northeast area of O’Hare property, onPatton Drive south of Higgins Road and just west of Bessie Coleman Drive. The former facility’s operations will transition to the new facility when it opens today.
The relocation of the Signature Flight Support terminal marks a significant milestone for the OMP. The project is a component of the OMP Completion Phase 2A “Runway 9C/27C Northeast Package”. The replacement site is located approximately 1,000 feet north of the former facility, which was in the proximity of where future Runway 9C/27C and other new airfield infrastructure are planned to be constructed. Runway 9C/27C is a component of OMP Completion Phase 2B.
The Signature FBO is an environmentally-friendly facility that was designed and constructed under the guidelines of the CDA Sustainable Airport Manual. The project is expected to receive three green airplanes under the SAM rating and award system and is also expected to pursue LEED Silver Certification. The green elements include:
– designated parking spaces for fuel efficient/low emitting vehicles;
– convenient access to public transportation options including bus and commuter rail;
– a high albedo roofing membrane or “cool roof” on top of the terminal building that delivers high solar reflectance to help reduce heat island effect;
– water conserving plumbing fixtures within the building and native, drought-resistant landscaping around the exterior;
– energy efficient lighting and HVAC equipment;
– recycled or re-used building materials from previous FBO including fencing, cameras, signage and furniture; and
– Nearly 70 percent of building materials were obtained locally and feature environmentally friendly elements such as Low VOC paints, adhesives and sealants, as well as green label carpets and flooring.
Signature Flight Support also operates a FBO facility at Midway International Airport. For more information about Signature Flight Support Corporation please visit www.signatureflight.com. For more information about the O’Hare Modernization Program, as well as O’Hare andMidway International Airports visit www.FlyChicago.com.
###