In the last quarter of 2018, Houston City Council approved contracts and funding in support of taking major steps forward in the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP) at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Council action leads the way for redevelopment of the Mickey Leland International Terminal (MLIT), the international gate concourse and the Federal Inspection Services (FIS) facility, which includes a centralized international ticketing hall and security checkpoint. The MLIT and the FIS are two of the major component projects of the ITRP.

Council consideration and action were prompted in mid-September when Houston Aviation Director Mario Diaz presented updated ITRP plans to the Council’s Economic Development Committee. The  baseline ITRP plan has been refined from the one City Council was presented during 2015 to provide improved efficiencies. The new efficiencies have reduced the anticipated ITRP costs from below original estimates of $1.7 billion to $1.23 billion. Diaz, Chief Development Officer Robert Barker, and ITRP Executive Program Director Steve Andersen were leaders in the efforts in preparing for Council action, deserving special kudos along with the Infrastructure Division and ITRP staff.

On October 31, the City Council approved Mickey Leland International Terminal (MLIT) contract amendments for architectural and engineering (A/E) design services and construction-manager-at-risk (CMAR) services, respectively. Fentress Architects, Ltd. is providing A/E services and Austin-Gilbane JV is providing CMAR services.

Fentress will provide design services that include an overall concept design for the International Terminal and FIS facilities; and the complete design for the MLIT North Concourse. There was no change in funding, but the A/E may require additional appropriation for the design services, once full development of the overall concept is completed.

The Austin-Gilbane JV will provide Phase 1 pre-construction services, construction works (enabling and early works), contingency, civic art and material testing.

On December 19, Council approved FIS contracts for A/E design services and for CMAR services. HOK Architects, Ltd. will provide A/E services and Hensel Phelps will provide CMAR services.

The FIS project will consist of the expansion, renovation, and reconfiguration of the existing FIS facility with improvements to the processing, baggage claim hall, meeter/greeter area, and Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) administrative offices, among many other areas. The project includes the demolition of the Terminal D/E parking structure and construction of a new international terminal processor facility.

The revisions also triggered a restatement of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City and United Airlines. The restated MOA was also approved by Council on December 19.