5 Things Travelers Can Expect At The New Pittsburgh International Airport Terminal

Coming back from a trip will have never felt so good — no more landing at the Pittsburgh International Airport after an incredible trip, only to be met by depressing carpeting and dated 1990s design. The airport is getting a $1.7 billion glow-up via a new terminal.

Pittsburgh International Airport opened its doors on Wednesday for a tour of the nearly 92% complete terminal modernization, up from 90% completion in mid-May.

“We’re in good shape to continue on track to open in the fourth quarter of this year,” said Paul Hoback, executive vice president and chief development officer for the Allegheny County Airport Authority. “We’re coming to substantial completion.”

The baggage system, “the lifeblood of an airport,” is at 99% completion, according to Hoback.

Christina Cassotis, CEO of the Allegheny County Airport Authority, said she was told by an expert who opens airports around the world that it is normally a struggle to find 2,500 people who are willing to help test the terminal before the official opening.

“This is Pittsburgh,” she said. “And guess what? We have 18,000 people who have said they would love to be in the test day, in the integrated trial.”

A group of 2,000 to 2,500 volunteers will be selected to take part in the Sept. 20 trial, bringing the 12-year project close to completion.

Here are five things travelers can expect at the new terminal when it is complete.

1. Modernized security

The new terminal boasts a quicker alternative to the previous security experience.

Siri Betts-Sonstegard, senior vice president of experience and design at the Allegheny County Airport Authority, motioned to the new TSA lanes.

“We are at one of the most stressful moments in the passenger journey,” she said. “There’s no getting around it — going through TSA can be stressful. We’ve intentionally designed the space to be much larger than our current 1992 airport.”

Top-of-the-line equipment will make things more efficient, she said.

Cassotis says the TSA experience will drastically improve. There will be 12 lines, versus the six that are available today.

“No shoes come off, no computers come out and no liquids come out,” she said.

2. Thoughtful send-off

The new send-off area, where passengers can say goodbye to their loved ones, is meant to feel like a living room, Betts-Sonstegard said.

The space is still incomplete but is slated to have warm lighting, couches and comfortable vibes.

“In Pittsburgh, we have a great sense of community,” she said. “We have a lot of people who want to send their loved ones off. In the future, we will have seating areas where people can compose themselves and get ready to say goodbye to their loved ones.”

3. Revamped arrivals experience

Many Pittsburghers enjoy coming to the airport to pick up their loved ones. The new space will have cafe tables with local coffee shop Cafe Conmigo of Wexford opening up shop in the terminal.

“You’ll meet your loved one, have coffee from Cafe Conmigo, and look out onto the two terraces, which are very unique for a U.S. airport,” Betts-Sonstegard said.

Four outdoor terraces will embrace the theme of NaTeCo, the creative fusion of nature, technology and community.

“We want this place to be a destination,” Hoback said. “People love to come to the airport. Our hope is we can have events here and invite the public out to enjoy — especially post-pandemic, where outdoor spaces have become so important.”

The customs arrival section of the terminal will include windows facing one of the outdoor terraces.

“It’s much improved from what our customs is now,” Hoback said. “It is 33 years old and in desperate need of an upgrade.”

4. Sensory Pittsburgh design

The renovated terminal eases travel anxiety with a warm, post-security welcome with a space that mimics the compression and expansion experience of the Fort Pitt Bridge.

“Passengers walk through a tunnel that has a specific membrane and lighting that mimics the weather in the sky,” Betts-Sonstegard said. “If there are blue skies, it’s blue, and if it’s sunset, it will have sunset colors.”

She’s excited because the new terminal design truly embraces the spirit of Pittsburgh.

“We want the design to give people that sense of place,” she said.

New express elevators will go from the ground floor to the second floor. Sounds of Pittsburgh will fill the space, from audio of cheering fans at a Steelers game to the serene Pittsburgh Symphony.

5. Improved signage and transportation

Betts-Sonstegard is most passionate about the new sign and wayfinding system, intentionally designed for people with color blindness.

“Today, if you’re color blind, you can’t actually see the signs,” she said. “It’s been a good improvement.”

Updates on making it from extended parking to the new terminal will roll out over the next month or so, Director of Public Affairs Bob Kerlik said. Shuttle buses will transport passengers.

“The most important point is it’s still the fastest way to get to the terminal,” he said. “It may be faster because there will be a newer and more expanded shuttle service compared to what we have today.”

“It will give a nod to Pittsburgh,” Betts-Sonstegard said.

https://triblive.com/author/anna-mares/

The Nation's Largest Indoor Agriculture Event Returns To Pennsylvania - Jan. 4-11

The 109th Pennsylvania Farm Show is taking place January 4-11 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. While it’s been in existence since 1916, this isn’t your granddaddy’s country fair.

The weeklong gathering is all about “Powering Pennsylvania,” recognizing the state’s many family-run agritourism destinations and green-energy producers that help drive the Keystone State’s economy and growing agritourism industry with 593,000 jobs and pouring more than $132.5 billion into PA communities every year.

Every year, the PA Farm Show, Pennsylvania’s State Fair™, brings half a million visitors to the capitol city for eight days of competition, and family fun with an educational twist. This year’s Farm Show promises to be the best yet, appealing to all ages and interests. Highlights include:

Instagrammable Moments with Mini Highland Cows - Swartz Farm and Friends of Farm Show Foundation are giving guests a chance to pet and snap an unforgettable selfie with these adorable bovines.

Dr. Temple Grandin, a professor and best-selling author whose life was portrayed by Claire Danes in the HBO Film Temple Grandin, will take to the stage on January 9 at 9:00 a.m. to share her innovative perspective on problem-solving and understanding animals. Her appearance and fireside chat will further showcase the powerful women leading and shaping Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry.

It’s all about being green, and those in search of new ideas to expand or change-up their flower or vegetable gardens can visit the GIANT Expo Hall’s Conservation Exhibit how PA farmers are working for cleaner air and water, and how they can incorporate some of these practices into their own gardening.

Award-winning chef Jet Tila, Pennsylvania’s Food Network star, author and five-time Guiness World Record-holder for, among other things, creating the longest California Roll, will lead an army of talented PA chefs at the Preferred Culinary Connection state in the Main Hall. Guests can sample recipes from future stars enrolled at PA culinary schools, grab a cookbook or embark on a farm-to-table culinary adventure.

Throughout the Farm Show, there will be a breadth of events, from cooking classes and competitions to hair-raising Mullet Championship and favorite foods to sample and purchase.

Like I said at the start, this isn’t your granddaddy’s farm expo but instead a modern-day gathering that explores Pennsylvania’s bountiful agriculture and agritourism.

For more details to plan your visit, please go to: https://www.visitpa.com/article/whats-new-pennsylvania-farm-show

National Dog Show Full-Scale Return November 19-20 In Oaks, Pa.

With the National Dog Show planning a return to full scale normalcy this November 19th and 20th, tickets are now on sale for the annual canine extravaganza at www.nds.nationaldogshow.com. Up To 2,000 Dogs, 190 Breeds Registered to Compete. The show can be experienced live at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Centers, 100 Station Avenue, Oaks, Pa 19456. Ticket prices are $16 for adults, $7 for children 4-11 with free admission for kids three-and-under. Parking is free.

PENNSYLVANIA ENTRANTS

Several dogs from Pennsylvania are competing for ‘top dog’, including “Oscar” a Long Coat Chihuahua (Toy Group) lovingly trained and “handled” by 10-year-old Jr. Handler Leah Graham,. “I started training with Chihuahuas because they’re small,” she says. “They are some trouble sometimes but Chihuahuas are pretty and they can be very obedient. People sometimes think they’re very mean but they aren’t when you get to know them.”

Alison Chamberland, from Downingtown, PA is proud to show her Clumber Spaniel “Toasty” (Working Group). At just 12 months old, Toasty has multiple Best of Breeds, NOHS Best of Breeds, and Puppy Group Placements. “Toasty is a huge comedian- jumping into the tub every night for a drink from the tap before bed, a loving companion- sleeping on my pillow with his head on my shoulder. He parades around with anything he finds- especially things he’s not supposed to have like a dustpan, “slurms” us with his drool, and gives the best kisses. He is so friendly and always leaves a smile on our faces.”

Jesse is a four-year-old Cocker Spaniel competing in the Sporting Group hailing from Shartlesville, PA. His co-owners/handlers are Ann Marie Monastero and Heidi Armour.

ONE OF TWO BENCHED SHOWS

The KCP now operates one of the few "benched" shows remaining in the United States, enabling visitors to find all the breeds in designated locations throughout each day. That unusual aspect of the show and the affordable ticket pricing is in line with the KCP’s mission of educating the public about responsible pet parenting and the wonderfulness of dogs.

The KCP is anticipating an entry of nearly 2,000 dogs from up to 190 breeds both days, which are separate and distinct dog shows with breed and group judging leading to the Best In Show culmination among seven dogs representing the different groups. “With our mission of educating the public about dogs, we take very seriously the need to maintain family-friendly ticket prices,” offered Wayne Ferguson, President of the KCP. “Our attraction is wonderfully unique because the dogs are on hand all weekend long at benches for people to meet them and interact with their owners, handlers and breeders. It’s a rare opportunity to learn what kind of canine might be best-suited for their family.”

GREAT VALUE

The show boasts a strong family entertainment value based on the ticket prices and Temple University Sports Industry Research Center surveys which determined that the average family stay at the dog show is 3.5 hours. That is about the length of time people spend at other major sports and entertainment attractions that carry much more expensive ticket prices.

LONG HISTORY

The National Dog Show is one of the most prominent in the world because of its history dating back to the 1800s, its location in America’s fourth-largest market, and national television exposure on NBC, broadcasting the Saturday competition following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The National Dog Show presented by Purina total audience exceeds 20 million every year, achieving a best-ever 2016 Nielsen rating of 5.9, higher than all but the most prominent sports and entertainment events on television.

For more details, please visit: www.nds.nationaldogshow.com.

Proposal Would Give Pennsylvania, NJ First National Park

PHILADELPHIA — Up a winding mountain road two hours from any major city, a small parking lot appears through the fall foliage and it’s as busy as any Wawa. Cars from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York wedge into spots and forge a few new ones.

“Are you leaving?” drivers asked any hiker standing near a car.

Nearly all of them were there on this Friday afternoon in October to see Raymondskill Falls, the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania, and one of the main attractions in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Encompassing 70,000 acres of mountains, forest, and the Delaware River, the Water Gap is one of the most popular outdoor destinations in the country with more than 4.5 million visitors annually.

What’s missing, fans of the area say, is the distinction of being named a “national park,” the crown jewels featured in documentaries and coffee-table books, often on the checklist of outdoors enthusiasts from all over the world. Groups like the Sierra Club, in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, along with other outdoors enthusiasts, are trying to change that, dropping “national recreation area” for “national park and preserve.”

“You never hear people say, ‘I’m going to go see all the national recreation areas in America,’” said John Donahue, who spent 14 years as park superintendent of the Delaware Water Gap. “This place, basically, already is a national park.”

Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York have no national park, the nearest being Shenandoah, four hours south of Philadelphia. Pennsylvania is home to several national historical parks, including Independence Mall and Valley Forge, which are both prized for their place in history. National parks like Yosemite and Grand Canyon, however, are designated for their natural beauty and resources. There are only nine east of the Mississippi River.

John Kashwick, vice chair of the New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club, said turning the Water Gap into a national park is a social justice issue. The Sierra Club has supported the proposal for almost a decade.

“It’s not just scenery,” Kashwick said. “Its proximity to large urban centers like New York and Philadelphia make it accessible to millions. There’s so many people who could be served by this park.”

Donald Miles, vice chair of the Pennsylvania chapter of the Sierra Club, said the move from a recreation area to a national park would, ideally, command a larger budget to address amenities and infrastructure.

“We basically see the same amount of tourists as Yellowstone but without the commensurate budget,” he said.

The Water Gap has an annual budget of $8.2 million from the National Park Service, while Yellowstone National Park’s budget is $27.6 million.

Like Yellowstone, the Water Gap encompasses several states, and both the New Jersey and Pennsylvania chapters of the Sierra Club plan to present proposals to elected officials, Indigenous leaders, business owners, and residents in both states in the coming months. From there, it would require U.S. House and Senate support. This happened in West Virginia in December 2020, when the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve was created. New River is America’s 63rd national park and while the effort had overwhelming support, some locals in West Virginia feared the area simply did not have enough amenities — campgrounds, stores, parking spaces, and bathrooms — to stay in step with the uptick of tourists the name change would bring.

“The national park system of the United States of America is the gold standard in the world of conservation and stewardship,” one West Virginia business owner told the Guardian in May. “I don’t want this to be the place where the brand is diminished.”

The Delaware Water Gap already sees double the number of tourists New River does, but Sean Strub, mayor of Milford, Pike County, said he hasn’t heard any opposition to the possible renaming. Milford, the northern gateway to the Water Gap, already has a hotel, rentals, and restaurants, Strub said.
“The Water Gap is already a deciding factor in all our development plans here,” Strub said. “It’s why people move to Pike County and why they visit. The Water Gap can definitely handle a lot more people, but maybe not a lot more cars.”
John Christie, a Monroe County commissioner, said it’s too soon to say how the rebranding would play out. He does have concerns about the smaller roads that intersect the Water Gap and would hope that budget increases could address them.

“The infrastructure in that area does not support a whole lot of traffic,” he said. “I’d like to hear more, the arguments for both sides of this.”

The COVID-19 pandemic brought an influx of tourists to the area, Donahue, the retired park superintendent, said, and that highlighted some parking issues and prompted some trail closures to popular waterfalls, like Raymondskill. He said national park user fees and possible budget increases could help address those issues as a national park. Some national parks require entrance fees.

“It would require more improvement in parking, camping, river access -- just more opportunities,” he said.

Like New River, the Water Gap would be a national park with a preserve, which would secure hunting and fishing, two major traditional uses there. Miles said opposition from hunters was a concern when the Sierra Club first floated the idea several years ago.

“Hunters and fishermen will be among the first people we speak to,” he said.

Atop a vista overlooking the river and New Jersey, Donahue, 68, pointed out how precious the Water Gap is, given its location in the Northeast and how it was nearly lost. In the early 1970s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers planned to dam the river, and the resulting reservoir was supposed to supply drinking water to both Philadelphia and New York City. Activists and residents pushed back and the plan was scrapped. The National Park Service took over in 1975.

“There’s places where you can see all three states at once,” he said.

If the national park plan is approved, Donahue said, the change would happen “immediately.”

“This place already functions that way,” he said. “We’d basically just need some new signs.”