Denver International Airport is again exploring giving the Transportation Security Administration’s massive security checkpoint operations the boot from the “Great Hall” on level 5 of the airport’s Jeppesen Terminal to create more space for revenue-generating shops and restaurants.
The airport Wednesday issued a to “help create and implement an innovative vision and public-private business arrangement with the city … for the redevelopment of the Great Hall in the Terminal.”
Restaurants and shops generate almost half of the airport’s operating revenue, according to project documents.
In addition to relocating TSA checkpoints, the airport plans to reconfigure airline counter and passenger ticketing areas, according to project documents.
The areas being considered for redevelopment make up 435,546 square feet of the Great Hall’s total 815,546-square-foot area. The Great Hall includes 502,193 square feet on level 5 and 313,353 square feet on level 6.
Potential bidders also have an additional 399,150 square feet they can use creatively in their proposals, including a 77,000-square-foot area on level 4 of the hotel transit center “designed to accommodate a future security screening checkpoint of approximately 18 lanes.”
Non-airline-related revenues are on the rise at the airport, making up 46 percent of DIA’s 2014 estimated operating revenue of $700 million, according to project documents.
The idea of relocating Transportation Security Administration’s hold on the voluminous, tented area at the center of the airport was first floated in 2009 as part of a larger hotel proposal that eventually morphed into the airport’s current hotel and transit development project.
That project has come under fire from the city auditor for and issues involving contracts awarded under the .
The airport is nearing completion of the 519-room airport Westin hotel, which, along with the transit center, will increase foot traffic in the terminal.
The hotel is expected to open around Thanksgiving and the train station in mid-2016.
The airport seeks to use outside funding to finance the project, listing “a workable financial plan and structure for the redevelopment of the Great Hall that incorporates an efficient use of private-sector capital and risk transfer to generate value to the city” among the project proposal requests.
The city will hold a meeting at 2 p.m. Feb. 9 for those interested in submitting proposals. Responses are due by 2 p.m. April 1. The project goal is completion by first quarter 2019.
Laura Keeney: 303-954-1337, lkeeney@denverpost.com or twitter.com/LauraKeeney
