“The Port Authority has taken aggressive steps to achieve sustainable growth, promote environmental efficiency, and reduce the environmental impact of aviation on our host communities and the region,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “We look forward to continuing to work with our stakeholders and partners to design and build state-of-the-art facilities that meet and exceed modern environmental standards.”
"As the first transportation agency to embrace the Paris Climate Agreement, the Port Authority is committed to best practices in reducing its carbon footprint at the brand new LaGuardia Airport as well as our other facilities. Sustainable design and construction are critically important in our work to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gases,” said Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority. “We are delighted with this recognition of the high bar the Port Authority has set for its sustainability efforts.”
LaGuardia Gateway Partners, the operator and developer of Terminal B, has partnered with Skanska Walsh Joint Venture for design and construction on the project. It was designed to help generate energy, save water, and reduce total emissions once the project is complete. Design considerations also include a new baggage handling system, strategically placed unconditioned environments, and wall-to-ceiling windows that reduce the need for lighting which will result in a 19 percent net energy savings when the project is completed.
It is the first project to achieve recognition from ISI at any level under its newly updated Envision v3 framework. The Envision Platinum award also recognized Skanska-Walsh’s efforts to promote worksite safety and minimize noise, vibration and other construction impacts on the local community.
During construction, nearly 22,000 tons of concrete was recycled from the demolition of the original Terminal B parking structure and approximately 2,475 tons of this recycled concrete were reused on the adjacent job site.
“We are honored to receive the Envision Platinum award for our work in redesigning Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport,” said Stewart Steeves, CEO of LaGuardia Gateway Partners. “Since day one, our priority has been building a terminal that offers a first-class guest experience and has a minimal environmental footprint. We’ve worked closely with Skanska-Walsh to create a design and construction approach that allows us to revamp Terminal B in a sustainable fashion, and this award demonstrates our overall commitment to this goal.”
“This recognition reflects the passion and commitment of the Port Authority and the entire team to deliver an instant landmark and an intelligent investment,” said Beth Heider, Skanska USA Chief Sustainability Officer. “As both a construction and long-term development partner, Skanska is proud of Envision’s verification that this project is bringing measurable, long-term benefit to those who frequent Terminal B – and to the planet at large.”
“We could not have asked for a more impressive project than the $4 billion LaGuardia Central Terminal Building Redevelopment Project to bring awareness to the Envision v3 sustainable infrastructure framework; a framework that really raises the bar for sustainability,” said ISI Managing Director Melissa Peneycaud. “Congratulations to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and LaGuardia Gateway Partners on this tremendous achievement that demonstrates real leadership in sustainability.”
In 2015, Governor Cuomo unveiled a vision plan to create a modern, unified LaGuardia Airport. The $4 billion partnership with LaGuardia Gateway Partners for Terminal B is the largest public-private partnership in US aviation history, with 80 percent funded through private financing and existing passenger fees. In February 2018, the new Terminal B parking garage opened with over 3,000 spaces, charging stations for electric vehicles, and a dedicated level for For-Hire Vehicles. In December 2018, Governor Cuomo opened the first new gates and first new concourse in Terminal B which serves Air Canada, American Airlines, Southwest and United. An additional 5 gates and the United Club have since opened in the terminal. The Terminal B arrivals and departures facility is slated to open in mid-2020.