DENVER — Denver International Airport (DEN) has formally kicked off the start of construction of a three and a half-year renovation project of the Great Hall. The Great Hall is the area under the tents of the airport's Jeppesen Terminal, which encompasses 1.5 million square-feet. The project will make substantial improvements to Levels 5 and 6.

"As the state's largest economic engine, we must continue to invest in the airport for both today and tomorrow," said Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock. "This project will create a terminal for the future allowing Denver to accommodate its continued growth while competing on the global stage with some of the best airports and cities around the world."

The Great Hall Project will enhance security, provide a more flexible and open airline check-in space and add new dining and shopping options. It will also increase capacity of the terminal, update the aging facility and improve the overall passenger experience at DEN.

"When the airport opened in 1995, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) didn't exist and passenger expectations of an airport were vastly different," said airport CEO Kim Day. "Today, the Great Hall is well above its design capacity of 50 million passengers and is filled with noisy passenger screening operations and has no space in which to accommodate growth. The Great Hall Project will reconfigure and better utilize the existing space in the terminal to create a safer, more efficient and better travel experience while returning the Great Hall to its original purpose of a travelers' oasis."

Specifically, the project will:

• Enhance safety and security by relocating the TSA screening checkpoints from Level 5 to Level 6 and implementing new, state-of-the-art "automated security lanes" and a new queueing concept
• Increase capacity of the terminal to accommodate future growth to 80 million passengers
• Make better use of technology and space in airline check-in areas
• Create a new meeting/greeting area at the south end of the terminal, which will serve as a new "front door" from the plaza to the airport
• Develop a new international passenger welcome center with seating, food offerings, money exchange and retail
• Improve food and retail offerings throughout the terminal
• Upgrade infrastructure and systems in the terminal, including heating and cooling systems, escalators, elevators, restrooms and security
• Increase curbside drop-off capacity, including the addition of an express drop-off location for passengers without bags to check

Construction of the Great Hall will take place in four phases with some preparation work already underway. The first phase of construction, which is scheduled to continue until spring 2019, will mainly take place in the center of the Great Hall and will not impact security screening or check-in processes. However, construction walls will be in place on Level 5 and Level 6, which may require additional time to navigate from the check-in counters to security.

The project is a public-private partnership (P3) with Great Hall Partners, comprised of Ferrovial Airports, JLC Infrastructure and Saunders Concessions. It is the City's first P3, and it allows DEN to shift the risk for cost and schedule for this construction in a 24-7-365 operating facility from the airport to the P3 team. DEN will continue managing the airport, while leveraging the creativity, expertise and financial capabilities of Great Hall Partners – which has experience developing airports around the world, including the redevelopment of T2 and T5 at London Heathrow Airport.

The 34-year agreement calls for Great Hall Partners to design and construct all improvements in the next four years, followed by 30 years of operations and maintenance within specific commercial areas of the terminal, including approximately 50 retail and restaurant units, some of which are currently being procured.

The anticipated cost to design and build the project is estimated at $650-$770 million. The Great Hall Project is expected to create 400-450 construction jobs, more than 800 new permanent jobs.