Syracuse airport to get $45 million in renovations

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse Hancock International Airport will undertake a $45.1 million project to renovate the facility.

New York State will contribute nearly $36 million to the project, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said during his regional State of the State address held Wednesday morning in Syracuse.

Cuomo spoke in the Carrier Theater inside the John H. Mulroy Civic Center at 411 Montgomery St.

Cuomo’s announcement was part of the second round of the $200 million Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition, which first launched last year, his office said in a news release issued following his remarks in Syracuse.

In a separate news release, Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney said the county “will pledge” $1 million toward the airport project.

Cuomo’s office expects the project to create nearly 870 construction jobs. Construction crews should complete their work by 2019.

The announcement of this renovation project comes nearly four years after Hancock finished a $60 million project that focused on the security terminal and expanded concession space.

Passenger fees “completely funded” that project, the office of Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner said in a March 2014 news release when the city transferred the operating certificate to the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority.

The upcoming project seeks to “turn an archaic facility into a state-of-the-art transportation hub that meets the needs of the 21st century traveler,” Cuomo’s office said. The work, which will target the airport’s “aging infrastructure” includes a redesign of the grand hall; the food, beverage and retail concessions; and the exterior façade.

The effort will also include a new Regional Aviation History Museum; a glass pedestrian bridge; and an “eco-friendly” roof along with new flooring and furniture.

Syracuse Hancock International Airport supports more than 7,500 jobs and generates nearly $597 million in economic impact throughout Central New York, according to Cuomo’s news release.

“This investment will improve safety and security and make Syracuse Hancock International Airport a modern transportation hub,” Matthew Driscoll, commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation, contended.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com