Begun in 1936 as a Works Projects Administration effort, Paine Field-Snohomish County Airport originally was just a 2-runway airfield meant to spur development in the surrounding area. The plan was that someday, it would grow into a major travel destination.
But World War II brought greater needs, and from 1936 to 1946 the airfield, located about 20 miles north of Seattle, was an Army Air Corps installation. By 1948 the property was returned to local control, only to be taken over by the military again, from 1951 to 1962, when the US Air Force Aerospace Defense had an active unit there.
In 1966 the Air Force had mostly left, opening the spot to development. At that time The Boeing Company built an assembly plant on-site, realizing some of the hopes for development of local officials and business owners. That corporate move was followed over the years by many others; today, the airport is home to more than 50 businesses.
And now, with the Everett, WA, airport’s recent opening of a new $40 million passenger terminal, the transportation hub has truly arrived at the destination its planners once envisioned. The improvements showcase how far the airport has transformed itself since its humble beginnings. A longstanding destination for people from Seattle and northwestern Washington, Paine Field-Snohomish County Airport is a boutique airport, with all the services of such a spot.
See Also: The Ilan and Asaf Ramon International Airport opens in Israel’s Negev Desert
The opening in March of the airport’s new passenger terminal also means that now, daily commercial flights with more than one carrier are offered. Alaska Airlines and United Airlines are offering a total of 24 daily flights to nine US locations including Los Angeles, Denver and Las Vegas.
The 2-gate, 30,000 SF terminal is the creation of Fentress Architects, which designed the base building, with architectural and interior designs done by Clive Lonstein, Inc. The terminal was completed through a public-private partnership between Snohomish County and Propeller Airports.
The feel of the new terminal is meant to be akin to an upscale hotel, its planners said. Comfortable seating areas, high quality furniture, and building materials including walnut ticket counters with onyx countertops, black walnut paneling and a Bose sound system.
The airport’s offerings also have changed, with some local businesses locating in the pre-security and post-security areas. Before passing through the Security checkpoint, travelers can stop for a moment at the Café Vita coffee shop; and post-security, Beecher’s Handmade Cheese Café, a Seattle company, and the Upper Case Bar offer other refreshments.
Related Stories
| Jul 18, 2013
Top Government Sector Construction Firms [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Clark Group, Turner, PCL head Building Design+Construction's 2013 ranking of the largest government sector contractors and construction management firms in the U.S.
| Jul 18, 2013
Top Government Sector Engineering Firms [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Fluor, URS, AECOM top Building Design+Construction's 2013 ranking of the largest government sector engineering and engineering/architecture firms in the U.S.
| Jul 18, 2013
Top Government Sector Architecture Firms [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Stantec, HOK, HDR top Building Design+Construction's 2013 ranking of the largest government sector architecture and architecture/engineering firms in the U.S.
| Jul 18, 2013
GSA regains stature under Tangherlini, who looks to trim its holdings, cut energy costs [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Over the past 15 months, Acting GSA Administrator Dan Tangherlini has done a creditable job of restoring the agency’s standing with Congress and the public.
| Jul 2, 2013
LEED v4 gets green light, will launch this fall
The U.S. Green Building Council membership has voted to adopt LEED v4, the next update to the world’s premier green building rating system.
| Jul 1, 2013
Report: Global construction market to reach $15 trillion by 2025
A new report released today forecasts the volume of construction output will grow by more than 70% to $15 trillion worldwide by 2025.
| Jun 28, 2013
Building owners cite BIM/VDC as 'most exciting trend' in facilities management, says Mortenson report
A recent survey of more than 60 building owners and facility management professionals by Mortenson Construction shows that BIM/VDC is top of mind among owner professionals.
| Jun 5, 2013
USGBC: Free LEED certification for projects in new markets
In an effort to accelerate sustainable development around the world, the U.S. Green Building Council is offering free LEED certification to the first projects to certify in the 112 countries where LEED has yet to take root.
| Jun 3, 2013
Construction spending inches upward in April
The U.S. Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce announced today that construction spending during April 2013 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $860.8 billion, 0.4 percent above the revised March estimate of $857.7 billion.
| May 20, 2013
4 emerging trends in parking structure design
Survey of parking professionals reveals how technology is transforming the parking industry.
