CRAA Selects Team To Explore Conceptual Design of New CMH Terminal

The Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA) Board of Directors, Wednesday, April 27 approved a resolution to initiate professional design services for a new John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) terminal with the award-winning global architecture, design and planning firm Gensler.

Gensler provides experience-focused, socially responsible design across an array of project types, including many notable and inspirational airports spanning the globe. For this project, Gensler has partnered with Moody Nolan, a Columbus-based design firm that recently won the prestigious AIA Architecture Firm of the Year award in 2021.

“On behalf of the CRAA Board of Directors, we are pleased to take this significant first step for our region’s primary passenger airport,” said William Heifner, CRAA board chair.

“We were delighted to receive many strong proposals from the world’s top design firms,” said Joseph R. Nardone, CRAA president & CEO. “Gensler with Moody Nolan not only brings the most experience and skill, but the highest level of participation with local and diverse business partners. Together with our talented CRAA team we are well-positioned to execute this initial phase of planning.”

The existing terminal, which opened more than six decades ago in 1958, is reaching the end of its useful life. As investments in aging infrastructure are being strategically evaluated, the airport authority has the opportunity to plan for a new terminal that will serve Central Ohio for years to come. 

“CRAA and its Board have a future-focused vision for a terminal that offers an engaging passenger experience for the people of Ohio, for whom the airport is a regional gateway,” said Bill Hartman, principal at Gensler. “We, along with our partners at Moody Nolan, are honored to support CRAA in shaping the future of CMH.”

Future phases of the project will be determined through design analysis and subject to CRAA Board approval.