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July 30, 2002
For Release Upon Receipt

TUCSON INTERNATIONAL ROCK WALL COMING DOWN
Friday morning, August 2 at 6 a.m. the natural rock wall that has been the backdrop to nearly 40 years of air travel in Tucson will be demolished as the TIA terminal expansion begins the next phase.

The rock wall was the focal point of Tucson's new airport when it was unveiled in 1963. The airport terminal moved from across the airfield, on the "west side" where it had operated since 1948, to its current location. The 152,000-sq. ft. building took 10 years to plan and build and cost $5.5 million.

In 1985 the airport doubled in size to 300,000-sq. ft. during a $20 million renovation that included the addition of jetways.

In October 2000 work began on the first stage of the present remodel that will be completed in early 2005. The initial step - a new rental car building - is now complete and work on the $65 million terminal expansion, began last month. Demolition of the rock wall is a major milestone in the project marking the end of an era and the beginning of a completely new look for Tucson's major gateway.

Appx. 86,000-sq. ft. is being added to the front of the terminal to enlarge ticketing and baggage claim. The rock wall will be replaced with a structure identical to the new rental car building highlighted by a barrel vault roof. That façade will run across the length of the terminal and will be connected in the center by a glass column topped with a wing shaped roof.