Urban Renewal

How Port Authority executive director Rick Cotton is revolutionizing the airports of New York and New Jersey

- Sahar Khan

THE PORT AUTHORITY of New York and New Jersey builds, operates and maintains the region’s transportation and trade structures, including the once maligned John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark airports. That reputation has changed drastically thanks to Rick Cotton, executive director of The Port Authority. Cotton, who joined the organization in 2017, is overseeing a historic $30 billion transformation of the three airports. So far, this includes two new terminals at LaGuardia with spacious gates, sky bridges and an art program developed with the Queens Museum. Newark’s Terminal A boasts a modernized check-in area, a Shop Local program, sustainable features and a future AirTrain service. And Terminal 8 at JFK houses stylish new lounges for American Airlines and British Airways and exclusive checkin areas with concierge-style service for premium-class members. Meanwhile, JFK’s buzzed-about Terminal 1 will offer 300,000 square feet of recreational, dining and retail space with a focus on businesses owned by women, minorities and veterans.