The Long Beach Airport will be seeing upgrades to the tune of somewhere between $58.8 million—originally estimated to cost $65 million to $75 million when it was proposed to the Planning Commission back in March of this year—thanks to approval from the City Council.

The changes are largely infrastructural more than aesthetic, though the latter are included. Just check out how the landscape of the airport’s entirety will look from the sky:

While most remember the first phase of upgrades—completed back in 2012 and earning the airport accolade after accolade after accolade after accolade for its astounding passenger concourse that even convinces my friends from New York to fly into Long Beach—this second phase will create more efficient, simplified pre-security check-ins, focus on vehicular traffic through altering and expanding its rental car service, expand its ground transportation area, create cleaner, more accessible pathways for its pedestrians, and expand concession opportunities.

However, there are some aesthetic improvements, including removing the security wall that blocks the view of those entering or exiting the concourse, allowing users to take their time in appreciating the lengthy rehabilitation of the historic terminal, and improving interiors.

This includes relocating an existing rental car return area to the north side of the terminal area, as well the construction of a new baggage claim, concession area, and ticketing lobby near the historic terminal.  Plans also call for expanding and renovating an existing courtyard.

After winning approval from the Planning Commission and Cultural Heritage Commission—because the terminal is deemed is historical—it was approved by the City Council last week.

LGB is expecting the project to be completed by late 2021.

Here are before and after renderings:

Brian Addison is a columnist and editor for the Long Beach Post. Reach him at [email protected] or on social media at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.