Port Authority of New York and New Jersey start construction

29.05.2024 - 13:09 / traveldailynews.com / John F.Kennedy / Vicky Karantzavelou

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, with American Airlines and partners, initiates the commercial redevelopment of JFK’s Terminal 8, enhancing the travel experience with local art and expanded facilities.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in partnership with American Airlines, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Airports, and Holt Construction, marked the start of construction for the transformation of the commercial redevelopment program at John F. Kennedy International Airport’s (JFK) Terminal 8. A seasonal artist showcase within the terminal, “A Traveling Dream,” also debuted as a celebration of the depth and vibrancy of the airport’s host community, Jamaica, and greater Queens through local art.

The $125 million commercial redevelopment program by JFK T8 Innovation Partners, a joint venture led by URW and equity partner, Phoenix Infrastructure Group, a minority-owned business enterprise (MBE)-certified investment firm, will transform the customer experience at the terminal with a complete redesign and expansion of the concessions program, including new dining, retail, duty free shopping, performance space, and new digitally enabled experiences for customers of American and its partner airlines. The commercial redevelopment follows the $400 million expansion of Terminal 8. Completed in November 2022, the expansion and modernization of Terminal 8 is a component of the Port Authority’s $19 billion redevelopment of JFK, which prioritizes world-class dining and retail alongside inspiring public art in every new or modernized terminal.

URW collaborated with a Queens-based artist studio, Vaughn Bentley Creative, to transform otherwise utilitarian construction barricades into a massive canvas to promote the vibrant local arts community and showcase art that will create a sense of place unique to the airport’s home borough. Vaughn Bentley Creative was chosen for its unique ideas for leveraging and maximizing the community’s talent.

Terminal 8 construction kickoff.

Six groups of artists were curated from more than 130 submissions reviewed by a committee with members representing the Port Authority, American Airlines and URW. Four Queens-based artists were selected and received a stipend to produce their work for the inaugural exhibit. Local artists will have additional opportunities to show their art in future showcases throughout the terminal. The finished terminal also includes plans for a year-round permanent artist showcase.

The concept, A Traveling Dream, features dandelions signifying resilience, expressions of joy, hope for the future, and the spirit of sweet nostalgia. The exhibit will be open to ticketed passengers through the summer. The barricade was installed by Visual Citi,