<p>Lambert-St. Louis International Airport officially kicked off the Airport Experience renovation program announcing the first projects underway<br />totaling $16.9 million in improvements.<br /><br />The Airport Experience is a multi-phase program to modernize and upgrade the Main Terminal and concourses. The first Airport Experience project beginning in July is the interior restoration of Lambert's four historic domes.&nbsp; A complete replacement of Lambert's Main Terminal in-bound baggage system - at an estimated cost of $5 million - is scheduled to begin in early 2009. That<br />project will include all new carousels and oversize luggage retrieval systems. The six carousels will be replaced one at a time. The third project, also set for early 2009, is the makeover of Lambert's roadway signage program, expected to cost $1.5 million. This "Wayfinding" project involves creation of a master plan for all signs and the installation of all<br />new messaging to help travelers and airport users better navigate to andfrom Lambert.<br /><br />Other projects within the renovation program will be phased in over the nextfive years. <br /><br />Kwame Building Group is providing oversight, programming, design coordination and procurement, and will manage implementation of the "Airport<br />Experience Program." Other consultants selected for the project are:<br /><br />&nbsp;&bull;Teng &amp; Associates, Inc.: Dome renovations design, Main Terminal ticketing hall and mid-level architectural renovations design; concourses architectural renovations design.<br /><br />&bull;Kozeny-Wagner, Inc.: In-bound conveyers and baggage claims design/build.<br /><br />&bull; Apple Designs, Inc.: Entrance monuments and wayfinding signage design.<br /><br />&bull;Burns and McDonnell: Main Terminal ticketing hall and mid-level mechanical, electrical, plumbing and special systems (MEPPS) renovations<br />design; concourses mechanical, electrical, plumbing and special systems (MEPSS) renovations design.<br /><br />The schedule for installing many of those improvement will not be determined until designs are complete.<br /><br />"We're proud to begin these much anticipated improvements after listening to our passengers, airport users and the community," said Richard Hrabko,<br />Director of Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. "In spite of these volatile and uncertain times in the travel industry, we currently have the<br />ability to begin the transformation of our historic facility while remaining fiscally responsible."<br /><br />Hrabko added, however, that the health of the industry and the airport will determine when the addition projects move into construction.<br /><br />"From the start, Lambert intended for the renovation program to proceed with<br />only those projects that deliver the most impact for airport users and/or to<br />improve airport operations. That continues to be our goal," he said. "As we<br />move through the design phase of the next projects, we will carefully<br />monitor our budget and the economic landscape of the airline and airport<br />industries to make sure the airport is financially secure before we proceed<br />with the construction of our next projects."<br /><br />The $16 million facility renovation program is in addition to HMSHost's<br />agreement to invest $16 million ($13 million by 2011) to introduce more<br />local and upscale dining venues. Three new concepts are now under<br />construction in the Main Terminal. Local favorite, The Pasta House Co., will<br />open in the lower level in the fall of 2008.&nbsp; Brioche Dor&eacute;e Caf&eacute; and<br />Missouri Vineyards, a new wine bar concept are scheduled to open in early<br />2009 in the Ticketing Hall of the Main Terminal.<br /><br />Other new dining options could include Mosaics Tapas Fusion, which has been<br />named one of top restaurants in St. Louis; Fitz's Root Beer; Baja Fresh and<br />a new Fresh&euml;ns.&nbsp;&nbsp; The construction schedules and opening dates for those<br />venues will be determined at a later date.<br /></p>