Photos by Dark Cyanide for Untapped Cities
It’s easy to hate on LaGuardia Airport, even the politicians do it. Just last year, Vice President Joe Biden compared it to an airport that would be found in a “third world country,” nearly identical to what Donald Trump said of it in 2011: “You go to LaGuardia Airport, it’s like a Third World airport.” The executive director of the Port Authority agreed with Biden, and Governor Mario Cuomo called the airport a “disgrace.” Well, for the haters, change is finally coming. The demolition of Hangars 2 and 4, between the Central Terminal Building and the Delta/US Airways terminal is mid-demolition. There hasn’t been any news about it, probably because nobody cares.
Photos by Dark Cyanide for Untapped Cities
Photos by Dark Cyanide for Untapped Cities
According to the Port Authority document on the demolition, the two hangars are coming down at a cost of $22.9 million because it’s over 70 years old, generates below market income for the airport, doesn’t meet the needs of the airlines, and is on land that could be used for airport redevelopment. According to our source affiliated with LaGuardia’s redevelopment, the land will go towards the reconstruction of the Central Terminal Building, which is slated to be demolished too.
Photos by Dark Cyanide for Untapped Cities
Photos by Dark Cyanide for Untapped Cities
As of July last year, the American Airlines hangars (perhaps more beloved for their jet age signage) were also in discussion to be demolished. The AirTrain will be coming to LaGuardia too, connecting to the Mets-Willets Point stop on the 7 line. A new parking garage is nearly complete too, basically blocking the view of the terminals from Grand Central Parkway.
But if you’re expecting new buildings or an improved experience anytime soon, it may be a while. Latest reports from within the redevelopment team and on the New York Post indicate that delays are forthcoming thanks to Cuomo’s push for the design competition, potentially derailing three years of work by the Port Authority, financed by New York tax dollars. And therein we have why you should care about the demolition.
Check out a rendering of what LGA could look like in 2021 and read more about the preservation and demolition of JFK Airport’s Modernist architecture.
