Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) recently started construction on its new Terminal B and comprehensive upgrades to its Terminal A, a design-build project in which Fentress Architects is designing the $650 million, 1.25-million-square-foot project as architect to Hensel Phelps Construction Co., the design-build contractor. Phase One of the airport’s $1.3 billion improvement program has five components:

• Major renovation of Terminal A, including security checkpoint expansion, new concession space, additional passenger hold-room capacity, and a new baggage system
• Interim modification of Terminal C to clear space for the construction of Terminal B and eventual demolition of Terminal C
• New construction of Terminal B to provide ticketing, baggage, and security for a new concourse that is nearing completion
• New construction of a seven-deck, 3,400-car rental garage that will include public parking.
• Road improvements and parking modifications, including two overpasses and realignments of the roadway system, to improve access and navigation.

The project has an aggressive goal of completion of Phase One by mid-2010. By using design-build, the architects say, the projects will be completed at least one year earlier than if conducted as design-bid-build and avoid time-related escalation in materials and construction cost.