As an Annual Sponsor of GLC-AAAE, organizations have the exclusive opportunity to showcase their current projects on our website as the Featured Spotlight of the Month.

We are proud to highlight Mead & Hunt, our First-Class Annual Sponsor, as the Featured Spotlight for the month of September.

Company Overview:  For 125 years, we’ve built a legacy of trust, innovation, and excellence. From the beginning, our firm has prioritized sustainability and resilience, with founder Daniel W. Mead’s pioneering work in hydropower sparking our journey into renewable energy. Since 1900, Mead & Hunt has expanded from its Midwest roots into a national, full-service architectural, engineering, planning, and construction firm. Today, we provide services nationwide and employ over 1,400 people. 

Our commitment to collaborating with project partners and building resilient communities remains at the heart of what we do. As we celebrate this momentous achievement, we are grateful for the trust and partnerships that have shaped our legacy. We are inspired to continue developing innovative solutions for a brighter, more sustainable future. 

Project Name: Advancing the Future of Passenger Experience at LEX

Project Description: In mid-2024, Lexington Blue Grass Airport (LEX) launched development of its Terminal Area Plan (TAP), building on the momentum of its recently completed Master Plan. The Master Plan identified the need for a new passenger terminal to accommodate growing traveler volumes and evolving processing technologies. To address these immediate needs, the TAP was initiated to provide a deeper level of detail focusing on advanced programming, planning, conceptual design, phasing, implementation strategies, and financial feasibility to support future design and construction efforts.

Led by Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc. (CMT) in collaboration with Alliance, WSP, Frasca, Vistara, and JSM. The TAP Team worked closely with the LEX Team to translate Master Plan recommendations into actionable steps. One of the most significant challenges was designing future facilities within a highly constrained site, all while ensuring uninterrupted operations at the existing terminal throughout construction.

Another key constraint was the location and operational status of the Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT). The current ATCT’s position and limited height impose line-of-sight and land-use restrictions that directly impact terminal planning. Although relocation planning for the ATCT is underway, its timeline remains uncertain. As a result, the existing tower is expected to remain in service during the early phases of the Terminal Area Program.

Despite these challenges, the TAP successfully delivered an innovative and forward-thinking plan that aligns with LEX’s strategic goals and sets the stage for successful implementation. With the TAP nearing completion, LEX has already initiated the procurement process to begin the first phases of the Terminal Program marking a major milestone in the transformation of the passenger experience.