The Des Moines International Airport is undergoing a major terminal update, known as “Lift DSM,” to modernize facilities and accommodate growing air travel in the state. Iowa State alumni are at the helm of the $700 million public improvement project.
“The goal is really to address the constraints that we have in the existing terminal,” says Brian Mulcahy (’92), CEO of the Des Moines Airport Authority. “The new terminal will allow us to have the opportunity to get more airlines in here because we’ll have more room to service them.”
Lynnette Mellett (’03) is the project manager for HNTB, leading planning, architecture, engineering, and design on the project.
“It’s so fun to be a part of the early stages when you are in the planning process,” Mellett says. “And to see where we ultimately ended up — I think it’s going to be a gorgeous building in the end.”
Jeff Shaffer (’02), project architect with BNIM, says growing up in Des Moines and using the current airport helped guide designs in making the new terminal a better experience for travelers.
“Large open spaces, very intuitive wayfinding, access to a lot of natural daylight and views — we know that traveling can be stressful, so [we’re] trying to eliminate all those barriers and make [travel as] pleasant as it can be,” Shaffer says.
Construction engineering graduates Zach Loy (’08), vice president and general manager for Turner Construction Company, and Dan Solem (’04), project executive for Weitz Co., have been instrumental in managing the hundreds of trade workers and on-site staff moving the project forward.
“We’re coming out of a terminal that we’ve used for 75 years, so the intent is that this is going to be another 50 to 60 years that we will use this terminal,” Solem says.
“This project represents the front door to Greater Des Moines,” adds Loy.
The new terminal is on track to open in January 2027.
