Newark Liberty International Airport, Consolidated Rent-a-Car (ConRac) Facility

Burns led mechanical, electrical, plumbing and technology design for ConRac facility.

Facing rising demand for airport car rentals, Newark Liberty International Airport will streamline facility operations and improve customer experience with a new, six-level garage complex.

The 2.5-million square feet Consolidated Rent-a-Car (ConRac) Facility places 10 separate rental car operations — some previously located hundreds of feet from the nearest AirTran stop — within easy access to a newly constructed airport terminal. The ConRac facility improves airport passenger flow while generating maintenance and operational efficiencies for the rental car companies.

Following complete demolition of an existing AirTrain terminal, the 19-acre ConRac facility frees additional real estate for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to pursue airport development. Rental companies will benefit from shared resources such as:

• 54 in-ground fueling positions
• 15 car washes
• 54 compressed air and vacuuming systems
• More than 3,300 on-grade parking spaces

Burns served as the building services engineer of record as part of a PGAL-led design/build team. Burns delivered construction documents and construction assistance for the following services:

• Mechanical
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Telecommunications
• Security
• Fire Alarm

Unique design components include high-efficiency lighting and bi-polar ionization HVAC systems, advanced stormwater controls, deluge fire protection, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. A radiant flooring system couples slab heating with condensing boilers for easy snow removal.

New charging infrastructure will address growing demand as EV adoption continues to expand among car rental companies and the general public. Parking levels four through six feature more than 150 electric vehicle chargers. Plans are underway to offer an additional 65 chargers in the future. Burns consulted Conrac Solutions throughout the planning, design and installation of Level 2 and Level 3 charging ports. Design services included:

• Power capacity evaluation
• 30-year load forecasts
• Utility coordination
• Electrical infrastructure modifications

Burns designed the electrical infrastructure for a 5-MegaWatt rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) array, advising interconnection for what currently stands as the largest rooftop solar PV installation at any U.S. airport.

Photos © The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey