GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - More passengers are traveling out of Gerald R. Ford International Airport, and some say finding a pre-flight parking spot can be a time-consuming challenge, especially close to the terminal.
“It is kind of hard to find that parking spot to get closest to the building,” says traveler Lendra Berrios.
“I tried the covered area but it was completely full, not a spot left,” complains passenger Robert Siterlet. “It is ridiculous.”
Leaders at the Airport Authority say parking congestion is part of the success story at Gerald R. Ford International.
“We have had five straight years of continued growth,” explains Airport Authority President and CEO Jim Gill. “Parking, at times, can be constrained.”
To add parking, the authority plans to open a surface lot closed during terminal construction. But they say they can’t build any new covered garages until the Federal Aviation Administration puts up a new control tower.
“Because, of course, the tower needs to be able to see all aspects of the airfield,” says Gill. “It is common sense safety. It we try to build another garage facility it would inhibit that view. That is why one of our big priorities is have the FAA relocate the control tower to accommodate the great growth that is happening here at the airport.”
The Airport Authority says the control tower is over 50 years old and is due for replacement. They have a site for a new tower picked out when the FAA decides to go forward.
“The FAA has a tower replacement program already funded,” says Gill. “A pot of money they assign toward tower replacement.”
Instead of tearing it down, Gill says the Authority could use the old tower for office and meeting space. Some have even suggested a restaurant or pub.
“Folks have mentioned a lot of great things,” he says with a laugh. “There is a good amount of space in there we could utilize.”
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