56 PASSENGER TRANSPORT September 2026 AirportImprovement.com GRR turnaround center would have required its 6-inch-thick floors to be around 8 inches thick, and the beams would have needed to be thicker, too, Snyder adds. In total, about 42,000 cubic yards of concrete were used during construction. The customer service building was built out of structural steel. Complex Construction The most complicated component of building the CONRAC was the quick- turnaround facility, which includes 32 islands for fueling and other minor services on the ground level and third floor. Individual islands include two fuel pumps (facing in opposite directions to accommodate two vehicles at a time), a vacuum cleaner system, window-washing fluid and an air compressor system for filling tires. Each of the two floors with fueling islands also has four car wash bays, complete with an eco-friendly reclamation system that recycles 90% of the water used to wash vehicles. Eye-Catching Art Whether it’s colorful wall murals, dazzling suspended sculptures or pieces portraying its namesake U.S. president, Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids, MI, is gaining a reputation for its art collection—including an emphasis on showcasing the diverse talent of local artists. That tradition continues in the airport’s new consolidated rental car facility, which features a piece by Grand Rapids native Jerry Gretzinger that spans all four stories of the customer service building. The massive installation, titled Jerry’s Map, features 2,441 hand-drawn 8-by- 10-inch panels printed on aluminum composite. And visitors can see it close- up as they use the facility’s escalators. The mural-like artwork, which resembles an aerial map, depicts an imaginary place Gretzinger started creating in 1963 and spent decades developing. The work mixes cartography and abstract composition, and was created using acrylic paints, markers, colored pencils and ink. “We are excited to showcase Jerry’s exceptional artwork at the Ford International Airport,” says Casey Ries, GRR’s chief asset development officer. “His work not only reflects the history and character of our community but also offers travelers a unique and immersive artistic experience.” Gretzinger’s artwork has been exhibited internationally, but Jerry’s Map is his first permanent public display.
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