Ara Najarian on Burbank Airport’s Long-Awaited Replacement Passenger Terminal Project

As President of the Burbank- Glendale- Pasadena Airport Authority and someone who has been involved with upgrading Bob Hope Airport for decades, please brief our readers on the status of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority’s long-awaited replacement passenger terminal project and recent closing of $725 million in airport revenue bonds.  

We have a very old but beloved terminal that opened in 1930, which has turned out to be a favorite for people in the Valley and the LA region. However, we realized that some safety changes and implications need to be addressed, primarily because as planes land,  they’re very close to where the gates and the air stairs are located. So, the primary impetus for this project was safety. 

We first got approval from the voters of Burbank in 2016 when they passed Measure B, which allowed the Airport Authority to replace the terminal. This also gave the City of Burbank more power to approve what goes on at the airport. We came together with a great development team, with a budget of about $1.2 billion. We put together a bond issuance– several series of bonds, which, as you mentioned, totals $725 million. The bonds were well received by the investment community, selling out very quickly. We received a great rating, which is a testament to the leadership of Hollywood Burbank Airport and the anticipated  demand and importance that this airport will continue to have as the region grows.

Before addressing the expected benefits of the Terminal’s build-out, elaborate on the project’s design-build team (led by Holder, Pankow, TEC-A Joint Venture (HPTJV), with  Corgan, CannonDesign and Burns & McDonnell) and the Airport’s use of a “progressive design” approach. 

Progressive design-build is a relatively new concept where the developer, the owner, and the development team collaborate from an early stage. It’s much different from the traditional design-bid-build or construction manager model. We’re at the table with our development team from the start, which includes, as you note, great firms like Holder, Pankow, TEC and  Corgan, with Jacobs overseeing it all as our project manager. The approach is more flexible and collaborative, as opposed to the old method where plans are set in stone and the lowest bidder wins. Here, we work closely with the development team, making adjustments as needed. We have a guaranteed maximum price in place, and we move forward with that. 

For example, last month, we incorporated art installations throughout the terminal. We approached Holder and Pankow, sat down with Jacobs, and adjusted the figures to include display cases for art, which was something we couldn’t have done as easily with the traditional approach. This fluidity is what sets the progressive design-build apart. It ensures that while the development team carries the risk, we’re all at the table working together. This method works particularly well for complex projects like an airport terminal, which involves so many moving parts—aviation, electronics, plumbing, restaurants, and parking lots. I think this model will catch on for similarly intricate projects. 

You mentioned safety; how will the new terminal transform the travelers’ experience and impact the communities necessarily impacted? 

People love Hollywood Burbank Airport, the Bob Hope Airport. Those who use it, swear by it,  often avoiding LAX at all costs. But the current terminal, while beloved, is almost 100 years old.  We needed to upgrade the passenger experience for two main reasons: first, for the passengers who fly in and out, and second, for the airlines that are just as invested in this terminal as we are. The airlines play a huge role in this project—they contribute financially and are key partners. We don’t take any major steps without their input because they want to see happy passengers that increase their ridership and profitability. 

We’re confident, no—we’re sure—that this new terminal will be a hit right out of the gate. It’s beautifully designed, filled with great artwork, and will be just as convenient as the current terminal. Plus, it will have great shops, restaurants, and comfort areas. It’s something we’ve needed for a long time, and now that all the pieces have come together, we’re on our way to making it a reality. 

Elaborate on how your and the BGPAA’s commitment to sustainability impacted the design of the new Terminal and its future operation.

The Airport Authority Commission is very focused on the sustainability of the terminal. We insisted on reaching the highest LEED ratings possible. Initially, they told us they could achieve 

Silver, but that didn't excite anyone on the board. Some members, including former Burbank  City Manager Bud Ovrom, were vocal about pushing for Gold. We made it clear that we had to do everything possible, and that was the task given to the contractors, HPTJV and the architects. 

We’ve incorporated numerous sustainable components, from water conservation to rooftop solar, and the materials we are using. We’re confident we’ll achieve Gold,  though we’re a bit disappointed we couldn’t reach Platinum. The orientation of the building,  facing west, means we’ll get a lot of afternoon sun, which made Platinum difficult. But overall,  we take sustainability seriously, and we're proud of the strides we’ve made toward LEED Gold certification. 

How does the airport align with broader goals of intermodal travel within the region,  particularly for those relying on the Burbank Airport for travel? 

As the past Chair of Metrolink, we focused on making interconnectivity easy. The airport has two adjacent Metrolink stops, which supports the rail-to-plane concept. People from Santa  Clarita and the Antelope Valley are excited because they can take Metrolink and be dropped off almost at the airport’s doorstep. The Ventura line also has a stop, and people coming from  Burbank, Glendale, or downtown LA can take the reverse trip to the airport. We don’t want people to rely on cars. LAX has worked to connect people to its rail lines, and at  Hollywood Burbank Airport, you can get from the airport to Union Station and connect  throughout LA County, or travel north to Ventura County. Rail travel will save people time and reduce traffic congestion. 

Segueing to the LA28 Olympics and the prospect of millions of people coming in the next four years from all around the globe to Southern California and Los Angeles -- How is the  Burbank Airport preparing to meet increased demand? 

I recently returned from Paris, where I observed their transportation system—they’ve done an excellent job. The upcoming Olympics and the 2026 World Cup present a great opportunity for us. Unfortunately, the terminal won’t be ready for the World Cup, as we plan to open in October  2026, but we aim to make the travel experience seamless for people coming to Southern  California. 

For example, if visitors are staying in downtown LA and flying into Burbank, they’ll have several rail connections to Union Station, from which they can reach their destinations, whether it’s a sporting event, concert, or hotel. We’re working on creating an Olympic Committee for the airport to focus on what will be needed for the 2028 Olympics—everything from wayfinding and multilingual assistance to information about local cities, restaurants, and shops. We anticipate that many people will opt to fly into Burbank over LAX due to the latter’s expected busyness,  and we have plenty of events happening nearby to make that convenient. 

Is the idea of a promised car-free LA for the 2028 Olympic Games realistic?

Mayor Karen Bass has indicated she wants to achieve a car-free Olympics, and I believe it’s possible. It will require a lot of planning and coordination between agencies and municipalities,  but it’s doable. 

There are a couple of reasons why this makes sense. For one, LA28 wants the venues—like  SoFi Stadium and the Coliseum—to be places where people gather before and after events,  almost like a festival atmosphere. Think of it as tailgating on a larger scale. Metro and Metrolink are already acquiring buses and trains to meet the extra demand. In Paris, people relied on rail or shuttle buses, and it made things more efficient and enjoyable. The key will be coordination.  People need to know where to find the buses and trains, and if they arrive a bit early and stay a bit later, they’ll have a great fan experience without relying on cars. 

Given your rich experience as a Mayor of Glendale and as someone who has served on many public boards, share how you engage and mesh sometimes disparate legitimate interests to reach community consensus. What skills are essential to deal with public concerns re noise, traffic, and other challenges that necessarily come with operating an airport and planning for a world-attracting Olympics?  

The key is collaboration. You’ve got to break down silos. Many agencies and organizations haven’t traditionally communicated with one another, but for something like the Olympics, they need to coordinate and share their plans to see how they align, and that collaboration starts at the top. 

LA28 has a monumental task, and they’re doing a good job, hiring around 4,000 people to make it happen. However, positioned at the top of the pyramid, they also need to share their vision with cities, transit agencies, chambers of commerce, public safety groups, airports, hotels, and more. Everyone needs to play their part so we can all work together. We have one chance to shine, and this is it. 

Despite us not having the history of Paris or other Olympic sites, we’ve got great coordination.  It’s almost like making a movie if you will. You’ve got a producer, and all the different parts need to come together for the final product to be a success. That’s what’s needed here, and the people I’ve spoken to in LA are very motivated to work together, including agencies like the  Airport Authority, Metro, and Metrolink. In addition to this, local governments are certainly excited about playing a role, concerning city activities and related focus areas. 

Please allow one tough question: In 2028, unlike in 1984, the City of Los Angeles is not protected from cost overruns. How do recommend the City and region manage the downside risk to taxpayers while still ensuring a fantastic Olympic Games? 

Well, I was here in '84. I was a young lad, and Peter Ueberroth did a great job. His business model was to secure a lot of corporate sponsorship, and he succeeded, creating a surplus of several hundred million dollars for the LA84 Foundation. One of the reasons LA got the 2028  Games is that we don’t need to invest heavily in new stadium projects or infrastructure. We're in a good position because we already have everything we need. LA has an incredible number of hotels, restaurants, and amenities.  

Our transportation is strong, though we’ll need more buses and trains, which we’re renting rather than buying. Other agencies around the country are helping us. The hotels are there, and we won’t be doing significant new construction. We’ll be finishing up the LAX connection to the  Metro system and some final touches on a few other projects, but those were going to be completed anyway. I think we’re in good shape. I don’t anticipate cost overruns. The sponsorships are in place, and the money will come in. That’s LA28’s job, who’s got really smart people managing the finances.  

All agencies—Metro, the Airport Authority, Metrolink—need to play their role and contribute to the success without turning it into a huge financial burden. Other cities have experienced large cost overruns, but I don’t expect that for LA28. 

Before closing, and with former Mayor Tom Bradley’s 1984 warnings still echoing...Are you confident that any LA28 deficits won’t be paid for by local taxpayers? 

I think we’ll be able to manage it. Everyone is focused on ensuring we don’t dig ourselves into a financial hole and end up owing taxpayer money for something that, in essence, is a festival— about a month of Olympic and Paralympic games. You don’t want to mortgage your city’s or county’s future for that. I believe we’ve got sharp minds watching the finances to prevent that from happening. 

Let’s close with your impressions of the Paris Games. 

They were very well run and a lot of fun. It was super easy for people to navigate through Paris.  The Parisians who stayed—many left—were friendly. The restaurants and tourist amenities were great, and they did an excellent job – congrats to them.