Published January 12, 2021
Stacey Flint, project manager at JE Dunn Construction, is one of the leaders behind new transportation upgrades at PDX. (Credit: Celeste Noche)
It takes a lot of hands to keep airport construction moving. We’re sharing regular “Faces of PDX” profiles to shine a spotlight on the people behind these projects. Up next: Stacey Flint, project manager at JE Dunn in Portland.
Stacey Flint sees art where other people might miss it — like in the nuances of ground transportation upgrades at the Portland International Airport. As a project manager at JE Dunn Construction, Stacey is one of the leaders behind the new rental car and parking improvements at PDX. Once complete, the new building complex will bring all rental cars on-site (no more shuttles!), provide more parking and streamline rideshare services for when you're ready to fly again — all in one convenient package. Here Stacey tells us about her love for architecture and the intricacies of her sometimes-challenging day job.
No day is ever the same. “There really is no ‘normal day.’ Every day is different and that’s why I love this business. Being a project manager, I feel like our job is to connect all the different parts and pieces — doing things like connecting the architects’ vision with the people who are going to bring it to life. We make sure everyone works together, on time and on budget.”
This is way, way more than a parking garage. “I hate when people say it’s just a parking structure. [laughter] This is one of the coolest projects that I’ve ever built because of the fact that it houses so many different types of tenants, who all have different needs for the spaces. It’s really five separate structures. It’s beautiful and it’s incredibly complex.”
Stacey brings her creative perspective to construction. “ I’ve always been a creative person. When I was young, I was fascinated by cathedrals — the big Gothic style. And I really love the clean lines of modern architecture, too. In college, I was an art and art history minor. To me, architecture is the ultimate art form. Whether people realize it or not, architecture has an impact on their lives every single day.”
The impact of her work isn’t lost on her. “I appreciate just how important this building is going to be to people at the airport and in Portland. We keep that in mind every day. Knowing and loving what we do is important.”
Don’t discount the impact of positivity, Stacey says. “I’m always trying to bring positivity to the team, to the project, to the client — even when there are problems and obstacles. Teamwork, hard work and staying positive are extremely important for success, and they’re incredibly important to the fabric of PDX.”
The flexible interior spaces were designed with the future of travel in mind — and to give you plenty of comfortable spots to recharge before your next flight.
Two permanent installations from acclaimed contemporary artist Jacob Hashimoto hang like clouds above the concourse’s common areas.
Shops and restaurants are clustered together like city blocks, with a pedestrian-friendly scale and lots of room to spread out.
Artist Jacob Hashimoto’s canopy of kite-like discs reflects the atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest, with locally inspired graphics incorporated throughout.
Sky-high windows fill the interior with daylight while maximizing the concourse extension’s energy efficiency.
At the east end of the concourse, a wall of windows opens up this epic view of Mt. Hood, where you’ll definitely want to pose for a photo before takeoff.
The Concourse E extension project is the dedicated home for Southwest Airlines at PDX, with six new gates.
Remember the view of Mt. Hood on Concourse E? It’s coming back, brighter than ever.
Tillamook’s menu includes the best of the classics with fried cheese curds and a signature grilled cheese.
Calliope takes its name from one of Oregon’s native hummingbirds and showcases creative and playful keepsakes.
Grab your favorite book, magazine or newspaper at Your Northwest Travel Mart.
Remember the feeling of walking through an Oregon forest for the first time?
That feeling inspired the design of the new Concourse B.
An early movement flow study for the new Concourse B.
The new Concourse B has great exposure to southern light.
Interior rendering for the new Concourse B.
The new Concourse B has Pacific Northwest touches like warm wood panels and indoor greenery.
Exterior rendering of the new Concourse B.
The six new ground loading gates for Alaska Airlines are bigger and brighter.
Our new rental car center opens in 2021.
Movable plants and furniture make the space flexible.
When the new rental car center opens in 2021, you won’t need a shuttle to pick up your car.
Interior acoustical materials help reduce noise.
The new facility also provides more long-term parking, new office spaces, and a new and relocated parking toll plaza building.
A new exit plaza opened in November 2019.
Every design decision we make is about keeping the heart and soul of PDX intact. You’ll see homages to all the things you love about our city and region in the new airport designs.
The new terminal’s wooden roof (as seen in this close-up rendering, right) might remind you of daylight filtering through forest canopies.
You’ll notice subtle nods to Pacific Northwest elements throughout the new space. The ripples and currents of our pristine rivers, for example, are inspiring the undulating flow of the wooden roof, as depicted in this architectural model (right).
We’re filling the new main terminal with a lot of Portland love — both in terms of regionally sourced materials and, well, doughnuts. (C’mon, what would PDX be without doughnuts?)
You’ll see a scene something like this when you enter the more spacious ticket lobby at PDX. This early architectural rendering previews the vision for the iconic wooden roof — inspired by Pacific Northwest nature, craft and our partly sunny skies.
Natural light, living trees and native Oregon foliage might give you the feeling of walking through a park, as this early architectural rendering shows.
Expanding the heart of the airport creates more spaces for the local shops and restaurants you love. Architects are thoughtfully planning these public spaces to resemble the human-friendly scale of your favorite Portland neighborhoods.