Denver International Airport Unveils Plans for Phase 2 of the Great Hall Project

DEN Seeking Approval from Denver City Council

DENVER – Nov. 25, 2020 – Today, Denver International Airport (DEN) began the process to obtain approval from Denver City Council for Phase 2 of the Great Hall Project by presenting to the Business, Arts, Workforce & Aviation Services committee. The committee approved the contract amendments and the corresponding Phase 2 plan, which will now move forward for full City Council consideration on Dec. 7.

“Although the Great Hall Project has encountered some early challenges, the project is back on track and we have made significant progress over the last year on Phase 1,” said DEN CEO Kim Day. “We have also been working collaboratively on our Phase 2 plan with our airlines and key stakeholders to ensure that we deliver a project that stays within our original $770 million budget, meets the needs of our airlines and accomplishes our goals to enhance security, increase capacity, improve operational efficiency and elevate the passenger experience. We are confident our Phase 2 plan does just that and we are excited to move this phase of the project forward.”

• While Phase 1 creates new modern ticketing pods for United and Southwest Airlines, Phase 2 focuses primarily on enhancing security and includes these key elements:
• Relocates the south security checkpoint from Level 5 to Level 6 west (overlooking the north security checkpoint on Level 5) and adds five security lanes with the ability to install more efficient technology
• Maintains the north security on Level 5 with improvements such as taller surrounding walls and enhanced security equipment to decrease vulnerability
• Maintains the existing A-bridge passenger security checkpoint to support overall capacity
• Creates opportunity to activate the vacated south security space on Level 5 with new concessions and improved meeter/greeter amenities.

“Although this project has been scaled back and isn’t identical to the original plan, we are confident that we will still deliver a quality project, on budget, that meets our goals while also preparing us for future growth.”

The contract amendment that Denver City Council is being asked to approve would increase Hensel Phelps’ (Phase 1 contractor) existing contract by $170 million for a total contract capacity for $365 million, which will expire on April 15, 2024.

If approved by City Council in December, DEN hopes to have a contract amendment in early January 2021 with construction of Phase 2 beginning in the summer 2021, just as Phase 1 nears completion. Our goal is to complete Phase 2, by mid-2024.

While we work towards a contract for Phase 2, construction of Phase 1 continues and is on track to be completed by the end of 2021. When Phase 1 is complete, there will be new modern airline check-in configurations for United Airlines and Southwest Airlines with self-bag drops to expedite the check-in process. There will also be four new restrooms and more square footage to improve passenger flow on Level 6. To get an inside look of Phase 1 construction, view our virtual tour.

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $36 billion for the region annually. For more information visit www.FlyDenver.com, check us out on YouTube and Instagram, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for DEN’s monthly newsletter Nonstop News.

###