Governor Andrew Cuomo says Rochester is getting a new “front door” with an upgrade to the airport. Cuomo and Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo announced this morning that the Greater Rochester International Airport won the state competition for the best Upstate airport transformation plan.
The governor says there were 16 applications and two winners. Monroe County’s $63 million upgrade plan will get $40 million in state funding. The governor says it will be as mode
rn an airport as any in the nation, and that will say something to people arriving by plane.
State Transportation Commissioner Matt Driscoll says modern airports are destinations in themselves, where people fly in, hold business meetings, do some shopping and fly out again. He says airports are economic development tools for entire regions.
The new airport will have faster security processing, clear sight lines, color-coded gates, a play area for kids and complete wifi connectivity. It will also have an on-site business incubator space. There will be new signs directing traffic in and out, and a new arrival area under a solar roof.