Grand Rapids, MI – Over six hundred additional covered parking spaces are now available in the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) parking deck, as the first phase of construction on the new parking structure roof was completed this week.
The 645 covered parking spaces are on the fourth level of the parking garage, which has been under construction since March.
Record passengers numbers over the last two years prompted the airport to expand its parking facilities. An additional 370 covered spaces will be available at the completion of phase two on or before October 20th, and the project will be complete on or before November 18,, 2015. Upon completion, an additional 1,125 covered parking spaces will be available for GFIA passengers on the fourth level, bringing the total parking garage capacity to 4,140 covered parking spaces. Previously, the Airport was forced to close the fourth level of the parking garage in the winter months because of the snow, resulting in the garage to fill up very quickly each week.
“We are pleased construction is right on schedule, and are able to provide the traveling public with an additional 645 covered parking spaces. The summer has been busy and the garage has been filling up on a daily basis, so we are eager to see this project near completion,” said GFIA Executive Director Brian Ryks.
“As we look forward to the coming months, we all know how wonderful it is to have close, covered parking during Michigan winters.” said Ryks.
The $15 million project is being managed by The Christman Company, and steel for the project is being provided by Grand Rapids firm, Builders Iron. Architectural firm Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber is the design engineer.
