SFO LEED Gold-Certified Terminal Ready For April Takeoff

San Francisco International Airport is on schedule to open its newly renovated Terminal 2, the first LEED Gold certified airport terminal in the county, in April, airport officials announced on Friday.

Designers of the $388 million remodel project emphasized sustainable building principles and how the more than 3 million passengers expected to pass through Terminal 2 every year will choose to spend their time there.

"T2 demonstrates how we can achieve sustainability in a way that enhances the traveler experience," airport Director John Martin said.

Features that focus on helping passengers "de-stress in a pat-down world" include a variety of options for passengers to sit, lounge or work at elevated desk stations; two play areas for kids; hydration stations; and blue-and-brown-tiled bathrooms that feel more like a grand hotel than an airport facility.

"Restrooms are very important to our customers, so we've gone all out with our restroom finishes," Martin said.

Design Director Terrence Williams said the 640,000-square-foot Terminal 2 was designed to let in ample natural light from a network of ceiling skylights and augmented window space in boarding areas that look onto the airport's runways.

"The original windows were only four feet tall," Williams said, standing in front of a 14-foot floor-to-ceiling window bordering a seating area. "Now you can run the building all day and never have to turn on an electric light."

The new Terminal 2, which is scheduled to open for business on April 14, features 14 airplane gates and two ticketing centers that will be filled by Virgin America and American Airlines.

"We're looking forward to being roommates with American Airlines," Virgin America CEO David Cush said today in the new terminal.

Terminal 2 will feature $3.7 million worth of public art installations commissioned by the San Francisco Arts Commission and a variety
of organic local food and wine vendors.

Displays throughout Terminal 2 will educate travelers on its sustainable features.

-- Bay City News