HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The city of Huntsville is growing by leaps and bounds and so is our international airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently awarded HSV a $7 million grant for terminal improvements.
This grant was awarded from the Fiscal Year 2024 as part of the FAA's Airport Terminal Program meant to improve airport infrastructure.
And here at HSV, because of this funding, restrooms on the north side of the concourse will be getting an upgrade.
"As our passengers are coming through our airport, we want them to feel comfortable. We want them to feel as though their needs are being met. And that includes, you know, restroom needs," Talyn Walton, public relations specialist for HSV, said.
These renovations will happen in two phases. The first phase creates a new companion-care restroom as well as a new family restroom.
This will happen by converting the airport's old shoeshine parlor into, "two separate single bathrooms. One is going to have a changing table for your kids and kids care. And then the other one is going to be a companion care. So it'll have an adult changing table and things of that nature," Walton said.
Phase two will focus on improving the already existing men's and women's restrooms by creating, "wider stalls to allow for luggage and allow for more space within each stall, as well as automatic soap dispensers, automatic sinks and automatic hand dryers and then step stools for your children or anyone of need for a step stool to reach the sink, as well as purse hooks, coat hooks," Walton said.
A new nursing room will also be included in the overall renovations. Currently the existing nursing stations require you to scan a QR code to enter, so this additional room would add an alternative.
The airport says all of these changes are simply to make passengers feel more comfortable, while also working with the airport's growth as they saw a record number of travelers in 2023.
"We want to make sure that we're putting our passengers' needs at the forefront," Walton said.
Phase one of these renovations will begin in April and last about four months. Phase two will begin after phase one's completion and last about six months.
Currently another renovation project is underway for the main entrance to the concourse. A $13 million project, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the FAA's Airport Improvement Program, is adding two up escalators, two down escalators, two elevators and two sets of stairs. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.