City Plans $248 Million in Upgrades for Midway Airport

Artist renderings showing two views of the proposed expansion of the pedestrian bridge at Chicago Midway International Airport over Cicero Avenue. | City of Chicago

Expanded concession areas, a new security hall, an extended pedestrian bridge and 1,400 additional premium parking spaces are all part of an ambitious investment plan for Chicago Midway International Airport.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced plans to pump $248 million into modernizing Midway, the most money invested at the airport in nearly a decade.

“Midway is more than an airport. It is an important economic engine for the City of Chicago so with this modernization we are making an essential investment in the future of Midway but also the future of Chicago,” Mayor Emanuel said in a news release. “These enhancements will create jobs for Chicago’s residents, provide an improved experience for travelers from the garage to the gate, and ensure that our world class city has two world class airports.”

The expansion and upgrades of airport facilities address concerns raised by business travelers and tourists for years, as well as strengthen a driver of Chicago’s economy.

The city plans to kick off the project in September by issuing a request for proposals for a single-entity concessions operator, all designed to enhance the airport experience for travelers and creating good-paying jobs for area residents.

The project is also expected to help the airport achieve higher federal business enterprise goals by encouraging the participation of companies owned and operated by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

Proposed upgrades and improvements include:

• Renovation of concessions areas, stores and restaurants, featuring the best of Chicago through iconic brands and concepts, while providing opportunities for local businesses and residents.
• Building 20,000 square feet of new concessions space in an optimal location, including new shopping, dining, lounge facilities, spa services and medical services will be added.
• Expansion of Midway’s security checkpoint area to address the bottleneck that frequently occurs in the current security area, a constant frustration to travelers.
• Creation of 80,000-square-foot security hall.
• Lengthening of the existing pedestrian bridge over Cicero Avenue from 60 feet to 300 feet.
• Expansion of terminal parking garage -- currently in the design phase -- the will add four levels and 1,400 premium parkings spaces to the terminal garage, making it easier for travelers to get in and out of the airport quickly.

Expected economic benefits on the Southwest Side include the creation of 1,700 construction and concession jobs. Midway’s concession space will also increase by 50 percent, which could double concessions revenue by 2019, adding to the city’s revenue stream.

“Our proposal will make Midway Airport more efficient and more customer friendly for years to come,” Chicago Aviation Commissioner Ginger Evans said in a news statement. “In order for our airports, and our city, to thrive we need to remain competitive and that’s what this plan will achieve.”

After the proposal request is sent out in early September, the program will receive bids through mid-December 2015, and evaluate bids in first quarter 2016. The proposal is tentatively scheduled to go before the Chicago City Council next spring.

Midway is one of the fastest growing airports in the United States, generating approximately $7 billion in economic activity annually and 90,000 jobs for the region. As a strategic regional and national transportation, it is a premier point-to-point airport offering travel to 75 markets, including eight international markets.

Southwest Airlines is Midway’s largest airline carrier, and Midway is Southwest’s largest market.