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Holiday travel expected to spike despite high prices at the pumps

While gas prices in the Rochester area topped out at $3 per gallon this week — the highest Memorial Day week average locally since 2018 — experts are predicting a spike in travel for the holiday.

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GasBuddy this week said the average price of a gallon of gas in Rochester rose 2.5 cents to $3, while AAA Western and Central New York reported an average price of $3.02. A year ago, the average price at the pump was $2.17 locally.

Statewide, AAA reported the average price as $3.07, up from $2.18 a year ago. Nationally this week, the average price for unleaded gas was $3.04, according to AAA and $3.02, according to GasBuddy.

“In the lead up to Memorial Day, we haven’t seen gas prices come down much, though with oil’s recent move lower we should start to see more drops at the pump materialize in the days ahead,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. “With the Colonial Pipeline situation continuing to improve in Southeastern states, fueling up for the holiday weekend shouldn’t be too challenging, save for a few pockets in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, where outages remain a bit higher than neighboring states.”

De Haan said we can expect prices to continue to inch lower and advised motorists to wait to fuel up for weekend travel.

“Motorists need not rush to fill their tanks as the drop in oil prices should manifest into lower gas prices as we begin the summer driving season,” he said.

GasBuddy is not expecting summer gas prices to set any records; rather the company is predicting a settling to levels similar to 2018.

AAA is expecting a significant rebound in the number of Americans planning to travel this weekend. From May 27 through May 31, more than 37 million people are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home, a 60 percent increase from last year when just 23 million people traveled. Last year’s travel, during the height of the pandemic and stay-at-home orders, was the lowest on record since AAA began keeping records in 2000.

“As more people get the COVID-19 vaccine and consumer confidence grows, Americans are demonstrating a strong desire to travel this Memorial Day,” said Paula Twidale, senior president of AAA Travel. “This pent-up demand will result in a significant increase in Memorial Day travel, which is a strong indicator for summer, though we must all remember to continue taking important safety precautions.”

In a press conference Thursday, AAA said that daily car rental rates have doubled compared with last Memorial Day, topping out at $134. Some consumers have experienced high costs and limited availability of rental cars in some markets due to rental companies selling off their fleets last year, as well as the chip shortage impacting auto manufacturers limiting inventory among rental companies.

AAA also noted that average airfares have increased 14 percent over last Memorial Day and mid-range hotel rates have increased between 29 and 34 percent, with nightly rates between $140 and $181 for AAA Two Diamond and AAA Three Diamond hotels, respectively.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) this week said it is prepared for an expected increase in the number of travelers who will be flying out of Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport.

“We are prepared to handle the expected increase in travel volume this summer and at the same time, TSA is committed to supporting a healthy and secure environment for airline passengers, security personnel and airport employees,” said TSA’s Federal Security Director for Upstate New York Bart Johnson. “For those who will be traveling this summer, travelers need to know that the checkpoint experience will look different to those who have not flown since the start of the pandemic, and individuals flying out of Rochester should be prepared for those changes.”

Everyone in the airport is required to wear a mask when they are in airports, bus and rail stations, as well as while on passenger aircraft, public transportation, passenger railroads and over-the-road buses operating on scheduled fixed-routes, officials noted. If a traveler does not have a mask, a TSA officer will offer one to that individual at the checkpoint.

“We have what I call a ‘new normal’ at airport security checkpoints since the start of the pandemic,” Johnson said.

A TSA officer cleans a bin at Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport. (provided)
A TSA officer cleans a bin at Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport. (provided)

Travelers and security officers will be wearing masks and there will be reminders to socially distance posted at the checkpoint. Security officers will change their gloves between each pat down and travelers can request that an officer put on a new pair of gloves at any time. Security employees will be conducting routine cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces and security screening equipment at the checkpoints.

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Low-fare airline to service Rochester to Orlando

The Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport will have a new low-fare airline on the tarmac beginning next month.

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello on Wednesday announced that low-fare carrier Frontier Airlines will begin three-day-a-week service on May 20 from Rochester to Orlando International Airport.

“I am thrilled to welcome Frontier to our community with nonstop service to Orlando,” Bello said. “These new nonstop flights offer an affordable, convenient way for residents to travel to Florida and points beyond. I am grateful to Frontier for this exciting investment in our market and I hope our travelers will consider these new flight options.”

To mark the new partnership with Rochester’s airport, Frontier is offering ultra-low promotional fares starting at $49 for tickets purchased prior to April 11. Blackout dates apply and round-trip purchase is not required.

“We’re excited to launch Rochester service with new nonstop flights to Orlando,” said Daniel Shurz, senior vice president of commercial for Frontier Airlines. “Summer is quickly approaching, and Frontier’s low fares and friendly flying experience offer a convenient option for families and friends who are looking to travel and explore new places.”

The airline will depart Rochester Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 3:10 p.m. and will depart Orlando for Rochester Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:50 a.m.

Passengers can begin booking tickets immediately online at www.flyfrontier.com. Strong passenger support of the nonstop flights will demonstrate that the community can support additional Frontier nonstop service in the future to other destinations. Frontier Airlines schedules are subject to change based on demand and conditions due to COVID-19, officials said.

In response to the ongoing pandemic, the airport continues to take additional precautions to promote health and safety at the airport with the #ReadySetROC initiative.

“Our ongoing #ReadySetROC initiatives include enhanced cleaning, additional hand sanitizing stations, face-covering policies, social distancing markers, plastic shields at counters and free masks,” said Airport Director Andrew Moore. “As more people get vaccinated and air travel continues to increase, we remain committed to providing all of our travelers a clean, sanitized and safe environment.”

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Greenlight Networks brings high-speed internet to Rochester airport

Air travelers to and from Rochester will get a boost to their internet speed through a new advertising partnership between Greenlight Networks LLC and the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport.

“This partnership is about an investment in our community,” said Greenlight CEO Mark Murphy. “The reliability and speed of Greenlight’s world-class internet connection in the airport will showcase our service and will provide most users speeds better than what they may be receiving in their own homes. We are excited for everyone who travels through the airport to experience what Greenlight customers already know and love, the power of true high-speed internet.”

Greenlight offers the fastest fiber optics network statewide. The free, high-speed internet for travelers and airport staffers and vendors will offer upload and download speeds of up to 500 Mbps, 100 times faster than the previous 5 Mbps available at the airport.

The partnership also includes an all-fiber backbone to power the airport’s day-to-day operations. The new services went into effect on Feb. 4.

“The Greater Rochester International Airport is one of the main gateways for visitors into our community. The new partnership between Greenlight Networks and the airport will certainly deliver a positive impression of both the airport and the community for visitors to our city,” said Don Jeffries, president and CEO of Visit Rochester. “The high-speed capabilities of the Greenlight Network will appeal to visitors, providing them with the technology they need to start their visit to Rochester off on the right foot.”

The jump in speed and technology will allow both business and leisure travelers to work, stream and stay connected when in the airport. Greenlight’s advanced upload and download speeds mean travelers can do even more while waiting for their flight — like video conferencing and streaming without buffering or lag time. To ensure a fast, reliable connection for all travelers, Greenlight also has increased the number of wireless access points to guarantee a strong Wi-Fi signal throughout the airport.

To access the new high-speed Wi-Fi, travelers can open a browser page on their device and they will be automatically redirected to the splash page. Once travelers accept the terms they will be connected to one of the fastest airport internet connections in the U.S.

As part of the agreement, Greenlight signage has been placed throughout the airport including entry and exit walkways to both concourses, feature walls behind each baggage claim area, the departure stairwell leading to baggage claim, table tents in the food court and rotating graphics on the airport’s 20 Flight Information Display screens (FIDS). Greenlight also will be participating in future airport events.

“After announcing a $46 million project in October, which aims to add 93 new jobs and a new headquarters in Henrietta, Greenlight Networks continues to thrive in our community,” said County Executive Adam Bello. “This new partnership not only boosts the presence of Greenlight in our region, but also provides the thousands of people who walk the terminals of our airport with access to one of the fastest airport internet connections in the U.S. I am excited to see the strides Greenlight will make in the future and thank them for their investments in Monroe County.”

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CBP officers seize $2 million worth of counterfeit items at Rochester airport

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Frederick Douglass-Greater Rochester International Airport seized nearly $2 million worth of counterfeit items in October.

A counterfeit Gucci handbag seized by CBP officers at Greater Rochester International Airport in October. (provided)
A counterfeit Gucci handbag seized by CBP officers at Greater Rochester International Airport in October. (provided)

CBP on Tuesday said last month officers targeted multiple shipments that totaled nearly 200 seizures of items that violated intellectual property rights, were Food and Drug Administration violations or drug paraphernalia. The items had a total manufacturer suggested retail price value of $1.85 million.

“Our officers continue to do an amazing job targeting shipments and identifying these violations,” said Rochester Port Director Ronald Menz in a statement. “CBP has a vital role in protecting not only the consumer but also businesses from imported fraudulent items.”

IPR violations include products that infringe on U.S. trademarks, copyrights and patents. Other violations can include misclassification of merchandise, false country-of-origin markings, health and safety issues and valuation issues. CBP officials said these violations can threaten the health and safety of American consumers, the economy and national security.

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Airport to receive funding for safety upgrades

Greater Rochester International Airport is slated to receive nearly $5.7 million in federal funding for improvements.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the airport, which soon will be known as Frederick Douglass – Greater Rochester International Airport, $5.68 million in Federal Aviation Administration funds to be used to extend a taxiway and install runway guard lights, helping to meet the operational and safety needs of the airport.

“Air travel to and from Rochester International is vital to the connectivity and success of the regional economy, which is why, as the region rebuilds after the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that we provide the funding necessary to keep the airports safe and efficient,” said U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer in a statement. “I’m proud to deliver this funding and will continue to fight to make sure the whole Rochester-Finger Lakes region has the help it needs to revive and thrive.”

Rochester’s airport is the fifth-busiest in the state of New York and home to the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion. A portion of the newest funding comes from FAA CARES Act grants.

“Investing in airport infrastructure is vital to promoting economic development in our communities,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. “This funding will help the Greater Rochester International Airport enhance safety for people flying in and out of Rochester.”

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Airport to be renamed for abolitionist Frederick Douglass

The Greater Rochester International Airport will adopt the name of the city’s most famous abolitionist.

Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass

County lawmakers on Tuesday voted to change the airport name to Frederick Douglass – Greater Rochester International Airport, following a petition and bipartisan legislation co-sponosored by Democratic Minority Leader Vincent Felder and Republican Legislator Karla Boyce on July 30.

“I got very emotional when I heard the news,” said Nettie Washington Douglass, great-great-granddaughter of Frederick Douglass. “This is an incredible honor for the Douglass family, which includes all of the residents of Rochester, N.Y. Thanks to everyone who made this possible including Richard Glaser, who started the name change petition, and the Monroe County Legislature. I can’t wait to hear the captain say, ‘Welcome to Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport!’”

Douglass is also the great-granddaughter of Booker T. Washington and chair of Rochester-based, Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives (FDFI).

In a letter to local legislators, Felder and Boyce wrote that “to know where we are going, we must first remember where we have been.” The legislation not only authorizes the name change but placement of educational materials within the airport to allow travelers to learn about Douglass.

The legislation does not require any additional funding from the County of Monroe. Last month, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello endorsed the action, stating that he looked forward to working with the Federal Aviation Administration “to advance this initiative through the approval process in the weeks and months to come so that we can honor the life and legacy of Frederick Douglass in this way.”

Kenneth Morris Jr.
Kenneth Morris Jr.

“Frederick Douglass was one of the most well-traveled Americans of the 19th century so there’s no doubt he would be a frequent flier in the 21st century,” said Kenneth Morris Jr., FDFI president and Nettie Washington Douglass’ eldest son. “Douglass called Rochester his home and he chose this as his final resting place. By honoring this particular historical figure in this way, I believe that Rochester is saying something important about itself: it wants to be a national center for individual rights and justice.”

The petition for the name change was led by Glaser, founder of Digital Rochester and an original board member of Greater Rochester Enterprise Inc. Glaser also founded RocGrowth, a platform that supports entrepreneurship and innovation throughout the Rochester region.

The petition reads, in part: “A former slave, Douglass is considered the most influential African American of the 19th century. He is known across the globe for his fight to end slavery and his advocacy for the unrealized foundational principles of our country.

“Douglass’ message might be more relevant today than ever since the struggles he fought for remain ongoing. His words and actions continue to inspire us to rise to a higher vision of ourselves and our nation,” the petition reads.

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Area airports receive federal funding

Three Rochester-area airports will share nearly $700,000 in federal funding earmarked for safety and quality improvement projects.

“Air travel in and out of the greater Rochester region is vital to the connectivity and success of the regional economy, which is why, as the region reopens after the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that we provide the funding necessary to keep the airports safe and efficient,” said U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer. “I’m proud to deliver this funding and will continue to fight to make sure Rochester has the help it needs to revive and thrive.”

Greater Rochester International Airport will receive $100,000, Perry-Warsaw Airport will receive $465,000 and Genesee County Airport will receive $126,000. A portion of the funding to each airport comes from FAA CARES Act grants, which Schumer helped negotiate.

“As communities in New York prepare to reopen, this critical funding will help local airports in the greater Rochester region provide high-quality and safe travel experiences,” said U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. “This funding is key to ensuring the continued economic stability and success of this region.”

The funding will be used to extend taxiways, construct snow removal equipment and remove non-hazard obstructions.

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Application process opens for $20 million airport modernization program

The State of New York is making $20 million available for airport modernization and safety enhancement projects, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday.

The Airport Capital Grant Program is funded solely through the state and is part of the state’s larger, $275 billion infrastructure program.

“There is no second chance to make a first impression, and airports often serve as the gateway welcoming visitors to communities across New York,” Cuomo said in a statement. “Investing in the modernization of our airports sends a strong message across the world that the Empire State is a premier destination for travelers and a great place to do business.”

The funding is in addition to the $200 million Cuomo made available through the Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization competition. In 2016, Greater Rochester International Airport received $40 million through the competition for its major overhaul, which was completed in 2019.

“For decades our upstate infrastructure and communities were left to decay. Under Gov. Cuomo’s leadership, New York is re-establishing upstate as a gateway to global commerce and tourism. These grants will allow communities across our state to further enhance their economic competitiveness,” said state Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez.

The Aviation Capital Grant Program is open to public-use airports listed in the 2018 State Airport System Plan. Eligible project activities include safety projects, preservation projects, new construction and other projects that will enhance business development and economic competitiveness, officials said.

The state DOT will accept applications for funding through May 4.

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Airport improves accessibility for the blind

The Greater Rochester International Airport has taken steps to improve access for blind and low-vision travelers.

The airport has joined the Aira Tech Corp. airport network to enable passengers to access visual information on-demand from a remote Aira agent. The service is free.

“We are proud to partner with Aira to offer complimentary, on-demand access to visual information for passengers while at the airport,” Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said in a statement Tuesday. “The addition of this technology will create a better passenger experience for blind and low-vision travelers and is timely for our community as host to the upcoming American Council of the Blind national conference and convention July 5 through 12.”

Aira is a service that connects blind and low-vision people to trained, remotely located agents. Through a smartphone app or through an optional pair of Horizon Smart Glasses, Aira delivers instant access to visual information at the touch of a button. The agent makes use of live video stream, GPS, maps and other web-based data to provide real-time information to travelers.

“Rochester is becoming a hub for progressive inclusion as it continues to adopt the enhanced experiences that Aira provides for those who are blind or have low vision, such as shopping at Wegmans and now traveling via (Greater Rochester International) Airport,” said Aira co-founder and CEO Suman Kanuganti.

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Airport renovation receives statewide award

The Greater Rochester International Airport terminal entrance canopy project has earned a nod from the New York State Chapter of the American Public Works Association.

Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo accepts Project of the Year Award for airport terminal entrance canopy. (Photo provided)
Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo accepts Project of the Year Award for airport terminal entrance canopy. (Photo provided)

The Project of the Year Award recognized the “Gateway to Monroe County” project and the County of Monroe for its management of the recently completed $79 million airport renovation project.

“This renovation transformed the airport into a next-generation travel hub, enhancing our efforts to attract more jobs and investment to our community,” said Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo in a statement. “I’m proud to have worked with our construction partners and trades unions to complete this project on-time and on-target. This award is a testament to incredible efforts of so many professionals who helped build our new airport, and it is my honor to accept it on their behalf.”

Monroe County and airport officials worked closely with chief engineering firms Passero Associates and CHA, construction manager LeChase Construction Services and more than 60 subcontractors and local unions, officials said.

The Project of the Year Award is given in recognition of “excellent collaboration by all participating organizations and the successful completion of a project.” The airport renovation project received the same award from the Genesee Valley Branch of the APWA in February.

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Airport grant to enable parking system

The Greater Rochester International Airport has been awarded a grant to install a garage parking guidance system.

The $499,000 state Department of Transportation grant will enable the airport to construct a parking guidance system inside the airport ramp garage. The system will use visual cues to help drivers find available parking spaces.

Each parking space will have colored lights that indicate whether the space is handicap or not, open or occupied. Sensors at each parking space determine occupancy.

“This technology will create a customer friendly experience for our garage parking customers at the airport,” Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said in a statement. “Passengers will be able to use the parking guidance system to view available parking spots at a glance, maximizing garage parking efficiency and increasing customer satisfaction.”

Roughly 1,400 parking spaces on the first and second levels of the garage will be considered for the guidance system. The roof level of the garage will not be included, officials said.

“This is a great enhancement to our recent ROC renovation project, which transformed our airport into a modern, state-of-the-art facility that will help us grow more jobs, build better, fiscally-responsible budgets and support stronger families here for years to come,” Dinolfo said.

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Airport renovation wins APWA award

Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo accepts the Project of the Year Award for the Greater Rochester International Airport. (Photo provided)
Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo accepts the Project of the Year Award for the Greater Rochester International Airport. (Photo provided)

The $79 million, two-year transformation of the Greater Rochester International Airport garnered a great deal of attention both during construction and following its completion last fall. This week the renovation earned the Project of the Year Award from the Genesee Valley Branch of the American Public Works Association.

Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo, airport officials and project partners accepted the award at the APWA Genesee Valley Branch’s annual awards banquet Thursday.

“This renovation transformed the airport into a next generation travel hub, enhancing our efforts to attract more jobs and investment to our community,” Dinolfo said in a statement. “I’m proud to have worked with our construction partners and trade unions to complete this project on-time and on-target.”

The airport renovations began in 2016 when Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that Rochester had won the full $40 million it applied for as part of the Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition. The original plan called for $63 million in funding, with $23 million coming from airport and county sources.

In the end, $25 million came from non-taxpayer funding from the Monroe County Airport Authority and $14 million came from the county. Another $400,000 was received in federal funding.

Monroe County and airport officials worked with engineering firms Passero Associates P.C. and CHA Consulting Inc., construction manager LeChase Construction Services LLC and more than 60 subcontractors and local trade unions, officials said.

The airport renovation included several upgrades. Many of the designs incorporate accessibility features, with a particular focus on the deaf and hearing-impaired community. Lighting and color play a role in the airport’s new design, with wayfinding that helps the flow of foot traffic and eases congestion and movement throughout the concourse.

The transformation included a wide-scale redesign of the airport’s terminal building to feature new shopping and dining options for travelers, including a “Taste of Rochester” restaurant and improved security measures.

A state-of-the-art canopy was designed to protect the roadway outside the terminal from snow and ice during the winter and provide protection for people waiting curbside. It features sustainable solar panels that can provide energy, a full, 40,000-gallon rainwater collection system for irrigation and landscaping during the summer, 24-hour security and LED lighting at night.

The award is given in recognition of “excellent collaboration by all participating organizations and the successful completion of a project.”

“This award is a testament to incredible efforts of so many professionals who helped build our new airport,” Dinolfo said.

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Airport names new director

Fourteen months after stepping into the role of interim director of the Greater Rochester International Airport, Andrew Moore has been named to the permanent position of airport director.

Andrew Moore
Andrew Moore

“I am thrilled to announce that Andy Moore will continue to pilot our Airport well into the future with his steady leadership and unprecedented understanding of local aviation,” Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said in a statement. “Andy did an incredible job of bringing our transformational airport renovation project to fruition, all while managing day-to-day airport operations with minimal impact on local travelers during construction.”

In the last year, Moore oversaw the completion of the $79 million Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Project at the airport. He previously served as deputy airport director for four years.

In addition to overseeing day-to-day operations at the airport, Moore will oversee enhanced air service development efforts to attract new flights and expanded seat capacity for destinations out of Rochester.

Moore is a certified member of the American Association of Airport Executives and has earned industry certification from Airport Council International in the areas of concession management and airport security. He is an active participant of the New York Aviation
Administration Legislative Advocacy Day and current serves as NYAMA treasurer.

Moore replaces former airport director Michael Giardino, who took a new position in Virginia in
October 2017.

“I’m confident that Andy’s experience and expertise will help our airport continue to attract more visitors, more jobs and more investment to Monroe County moving forward,” Dinolfo said.

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Rochester airport completes $79.4 million renovation project

Gov. Andrew Cuomo was in town Wednesday for the completion of Greater Rochester International Airport's $79.4 million renovation project. (Photo provided)
Gov. Andrew Cuomo was in town Wednesday for the completion of Greater Rochester International Airport’s $79.4 million renovation project. (Photo provided)

Gov. Andrew Cuomo was in town Wednesday to officially declare the $79.4 million renovations to the Greater Rochester International Airport complete.

Amid much fanfare under the new canopy that covers the upper and lower airport roadways, Cuomo drew attention to the fact that in order to get young professionals to stay in cities like Rochester, there must be excitement and a growing business climate. That starts with a modern transportation infrastructure and a 21st century airport.

“The airports are key, because the airports are now the front door to the entire region. You want businesses to come, you want people to come, you want tourism. People have to be able to get there. And they want it to be a pleasant experience,” Cuomo said. “You fly around the world, you see airports are now magnificent. They’re no longer a place where you drop off and pick up. They’re a place to do business, they’re a place to entertain, they’re a place to get a good meal.”

A state-of-the-art canopy helps protect the roadway between the terminal and the parking structure. (Photo provided)
A state-of-the-art canopy helps protect the roadway between the terminal and the parking structure. (Photo provided)

The airport renovations began in 2016 when Cuomo announced that Rochester had won the full $40 million it applied for as part of the Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition. The original plan called for $63 million in funding, with $23 million coming from airport and county sources.

In the end, $25 million came from non-taxpayer funding from the Monroe County Airport Authority and $14 million came from the county. Another $400,000 was received in federal funding.

The airport renovation includes a number of upgrades. Many of the designs incorporate accessibility features, with a particular focus on the deaf and hearing-impaired community. Lighting and color play a role in the airport’s new design, with wayfinding that helps the flow of foot traffic and eases congestion and movement throughout the concourse.

The airport redesign included a new food court and multiple dining and shopping options for travelers. (Photo provided)
The airport redesign included a new food court and multiple dining and shopping options for travelers. (Photo provided)

The transformation included a wide-scale redesign of the airport’s terminal building to feature new shopping and dining options for travelers, including a “Taste of Rochester” restaurant and improved security measures.

A state-of-the-art canopy was designed to protect the roadway outside the terminal from snow and ice during the winter and provide protection for people waiting curbside. It features sustainable solar panels that can provide energy, a full, 40,000-gallon rainwater collection system for irrigation and landscaping during the summer, 24-hour security and LED lighting at night.

A smartphone lot was completed last year that allows drivers to wait nearby until their passengers arrive outside the terminal, and new signage and light fixtures dot the landscape leading to the airport terminal.

Greater Rochester International Airport partnered with the Strong National Museum of Play to design two new children's play areas. (Photo provided)
Greater Rochester International Airport partnered with the Strong National Museum of Play to design two new children’s play areas. (Photo provided)

Greater Rochester International Airport is the first airport upstate to install facial recognition and “object left behind” technology as part of the ongoing efforts to enhance the safety and security of employees and passengers. Cameras will help federal, state and local law enforcement, TSA and airport security in accomplishing their mission to provide for the safety and security of the transportation system, officials said.

“As someone who grew up down the Thruway from Rochester, I know that the condition of an airport can either be a sorry reminder of better days gone (by), or a beautiful testament to a bright future,” Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “By transforming the formerly outdated Rochester airport, this new, gleaming structure is now a spectacular welcome home for residents, and serves as a statement to visitors that the Finger Lakes region is truly moving forward.”

The airport is creating a new Passenger Information Network to reduce passenger anxiety. The network, called ROCview, is a free app that offers passenger the ability to view any of the 21 departure gates in real-time from anywhere in the terminal or on their mobile device, without having to be at the gate.

Airport accessibility was engineered by Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf. The new digital information hub will aid passengers departing at either concourse and guide deaf or hard-of-hearing passengers using colored visual cues known as “hearing loops.”

In addition, the airport partnered with the Strong National Museum of Play to create two play areas for children inside the terminal building.

“We are proud to have worked with dozens of local contractors and hundreds of skilled workers to deliver a new, state-of-the-art airport for our community that creates a better travel experience for our residents and visitors alike,” said Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo, who served as the de facto leader of the renovation project since its inception. “From our streamlined security checkpoint to more concessions and dining options—and even interactive exhibits from the Strong Museum of Play—our new airport is ready to help attract more visitors, jobs and investment to Monroe County for years to come. I thank Gov. Cuomo and the State of New York for matching our local investment in this project and I am grateful to all of our public and private sector partners who helped get the job done.”

The airport, now in its 70th year of operation under the County of Monroe, supports nearly 10,000 jobs in the Finger Lakes region, officials said. The airport is served by seven major domestic carriers including Air Canada, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and United Airlines, and handles roughly 115 flights per day. Some 2.4 million passengers use the Greater Rochester International Airport annually.

“As a major hub for travelers to and from our region, today’s completion of this important modernization project ensures that the Greater Rochester International Airport will be a state-of-the-art facility and will meet the needs of the modern-day traveler,” said Sen. Joseph Robach, R-Greece, chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation. “This investment by New York State reinforces our goal of working towards securing a 21st century transportation infrastructure and ensuring continued economic competitiveness for Monroe County. I believe that it is critically important to invest in safety improvements and the modernization of operations for airports across New York State.”

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Airport reaches another renovation milestone, inches closer to completion

An early rendering of the revamped passenger security checkpoint.
An early rendering of the revamped passenger security checkpoint.

As part of its ongoing $79 million renovation project, the Greater Rochester International Airport this week unveiled a new passenger security checkpoint.

The spacious, six-lane checkpoint is another major milestone in the project, Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said.

“Convenient passenger screening is an essential for today’s travelers and will help us improve the overall experience at our airport, enhancing our efforts to attract more jobs and investments to Monroe County,” Dinolfo said.

The  checkpoint was designed with input from the Transportation Security Administration to increase security and efficiency, increase passenger queuing space and readily adapt to peak volume travel periods.

The completion of the new checkpoint follows the August unveiling of new communications technologies, which feature smart color-coded LED lighting to promote visual cueing for all passengers in the gate area, as well as terminal-wide hearing loops and counter loops installed at key locations to assist deaf or hard-of-hearing guests.

Passenger traffic at Rochester’s airport was up 8 percent from January through July this year, compared with traffic in the same time period last year. Officials said the airport experiences three peak travel periods at the passenger security checkpoint throughout the day, which can amount to nearly 5,000 passengers being screened per day.

“I would like to congratulate County Executive Dinolfo and her airport team for overseeing the extensive renovation of the checkpoint, which is a critical part of the airport modernization,” said TSA Federal Security Director Bart Johnson. “This new checkpoint will result in a much more pleasant screening experience for both the passengers and the TSA security officers assigned to this checkpoint.”

The new checkpoint features a welcoming sign, highly visible passenger wayfinding signage for TSA precheck lanes and general boarding and overhead LED messaging.

The renovation project is scheduled for completion in October.

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