Construction has begun on a $38.1 million project at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport.

The modernization project will re-imagine the main terminal area, an upgrade of the terminal's veterans area and the creation of a Frederick Douglass legacy area.

"You want people to have a really good customer experience," New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said. "You come to the airport, you want it to be easy and convenient, to go to the garage, understand where you can find a parking space, get it, get ticketed, and literally have an enjoyable experience. And the governor talks about airports being a front door to a community. It's your front door and your back door. Because when people come in they want to have experience, and when they leave Rochester, they want to have a great time and leave thinking, 'Wow, I want to come back here.'"

"Upstate New York’s airports are vital gateways that welcome travelers and help drive the local economy, providing new opportunities for business growth and increased tourism,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement. “The improvements we are making to Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport will create a tremendous first impression for visitors to the Finger Lakes and keep them coming back again and again, cementing the region’s status as a world-class destination and increasing its competitiveness in the global economy.”

The project is expected to be completed by summer 2025.