聖路易市擬發行1.25億元的機場債券用於林白國際機場的投資建設。作為林白機場乘客新體驗工程的一部分，將近5,950萬的資金會用於設施的翻修和改建，這包括：新的票務櫃檯和票務大廳的地板；新的盥洗室；新的天花板、地板、照明設備和標示牌。接下去一系列項目包括改善主候機樓和A、B、C候機樓，其設計工作預期12月底結束，施工可能明年春天開始。
“我們的客人告訴我們林白機場需要改進。”市長Francis Slay說：“考慮到航空業的現狀，財務上可行的方案是路一步一步走，事一件一件做。”
三個改建工程去年就開始了，總造價大約為1,700萬元，工程包括主候機樓天花板的翻新、安裝新的行李運輸系統，這些預期在8月份完成。而今年秋天，林白大道的所有路標都會更新。
機場乘客新體驗工程原先預算是1.05億元，考慮到經濟現狀，機場決定縮減到7,050萬元。“我們很幸運能把去年開始的機場運行設施和客戶服務改善工程給繼續下去。”林白機場負責人Richard Hrabko說：“我們的目標維持不變，就是要把這個有歷史意義的機場變得更現代化，吸引更多市民和遊客。”
新發機場債券也會用於機場五年投資改善計劃中的其他項目，包括空調的昇級、三座候機樓的房頂替換、六個新的登機橋、緊急發電機和主候機樓車庫的新電梯等。所有這些都將有利於改善機場運作和提高客戶服務質量。新發機場債券還會用於2,030萬可申請補助的機場項目和2,180萬債務服務儲備金、利息和發行費用。
機場在主候機樓的行李領取區開辟了長達130英尺的“聖路易之窗”，這是一個玻璃櫥窗式藝術長廊，展示了聖路易當地六個藝術和文化景點。每一個景點都有一扇窗，展示著該景點的藝術品、雕塑、照片和紀念品。這將一直展出到今年年底。
在Gateway Arch的展示窗前，遊客可以用手觸摸電腦屏幕，來一個網上大拱門之旅，甚至還可以模擬導演一場大拱門焰火秀。聖路易天主教大教堂(Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis)據說是世界上擁有最多馬賽克建築物的收藏地之一，其展示窗介紹了相關藝術和歷史。Loop展示窗則讓遊客有機會看到一個城市如何隆重紀念當地的傑出人物，象名人街上的Chuck Berry。Laumeier雕塑公園(Laumeier Sculpture Park)展示的是照片和藝術品，比如Tobias Putrih的 “Studio at Laumeier 2006”。現代藝術博物館（Contemporary Art Museum)展示的是其珍藏的圖像作品。軍事博物館(Soldiers Memorial Military Museum)則展示了軍隊制服和其他紀念物。
“我們想為推廣我們的藝術和文化做點貢獻。”機場負責人Richard Hrabko說：“這個展示只呈現了聖路易的一部分，但它是有活力、有吸引力的，它讓遊客了解到一些他們以前不知道的景點，從而吸引他們去探索和遊覽。”
無論是已經亮相的“聖路易之窗”還是在建設中的機場乘客新體驗項目，都將極大程度地提昇林白機場的內涵及設施，順應了今年上半年通過的中國空港大計劃對機場之需求，對美中西區中國空港（Midwest Chian-Hub)項目起到了積極的支持和推動作用。
"Windows on St. Louis" at Lambert-St. Louis Int'l Airport
The city of St. Louis will seek an estimated $125M in airport bond funding for major capital improvement projects at Lambert-St. Louis International (STL).
Nearly $59.5M of the funding will finance the projects which aim to restore and renovate the facilities at the airport as part of Lambert's Airport Experience Program. They include new ticket counters and flooring in the ticketing hall; new and improved security checkpoints; new restaurant and concession venues; new restrooms; and new ceiling, flooring, lighting and signage. Design work for the next set of projects, to renovate the Main Terminal and Concourses A, B and C, are expected to be completed in December; construction may begin in the spring.
"Our customers have told us they want Lambert improved," says Mayor Francis Slay. "Given the reality of the airline industry, the fiscally responsible way to do it is piece by piece."
Three renovation projects, costing $17M, started last year, including the interior restoration of the Main Terminal dome ceilings and the installation of a new in-line baggage system; that segment is expected to be finished in August. In the fall, all roadway signs along Lambert International Boulevard will begin to be replaced.
The Airport Experience was originally estimated to cost $105M, but with the economic climate, the airport committed to $70.5M instead.
"We are fortunate to be able to continue the momentum started last year to improve airport operations and passenger services," says Lambert Director Richard Hrabko. "Our goal remains the same: to make this historic facility a more modern and inviting place for our citizens and visitors."
The new bond funding will also help cover other projects listed in the airport's five-year Capital Improvement Plan. Projects such as climate-control upgrades, roof replacements on three concourses, six new airline loading bridges, emergency generators and new elevators in the Main Terminal garage will improve airport operations and passenger service.
The new bonds will also cover $20.3M in grant-eligible airfield projects and $21.8M for debt-service reserves, interest and cost of issuance fees.
The airport has unveiled its new 130-foot-long "Windows on St. Louis," a glass-walled gallery space showcasing six local arts or cultural destinations.
The exhibit, in the Main Terminal baggage claim area, gives each of the destinations a "window" with art, sculptures, photographs and memorabilia.
"We wanted to help promote our arts and culture scene," says Lambert Director Richard Hrabko. "The exhibit is just a slice of what St. Louis has to offer, but it's a vibrant and engaging display that has already encouraged visitors to explore and sight-see places they didn't know about before."
For the Gateway Arch exhibit, users are encouraged to use the touch-screen computer technology to take a digital tour of what the Arch grounds have to offer; users can also direct a fireworks show over the arch. The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis shows the art and history behind one of the largest mosaic collections in the world. The window for The Loop shows the famous destination that offers visitors a chance to see the city honor its hometown greats, such as Chuck Berry, on the Walk of Fame. Laumeier Sculpture Park offers photos and art, such as Tobias Putrih's "Studio atLaumeier 2006." The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis shows off images from its galleries, and the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum showcases uniforms and other memorabilia from its downtown St. Louis museum galleries.
The "Windows on St. Louis" exhibit will be on display through December.
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