Hi, all. The following is taken from El Nuevo Día. The whole story can be read (in Spanish) at http://www.endi.com. This is a quick translation of it. Sorry if it's a little rough around the edges.

The Ports Authority announced yesterday a series of projects totaling over $9 million to bring an end to the problems that have affected SJU for years.

According to Miguel Soto Lacourt, executive director of the Ports Authority, the projects are just the first part in an extensive plan to turn SJU into a world-class airport. The projects are looking to give a modern, vibrant and Caribbean feeling to the airport; amplify and modernize the terminal areas and baggage claims. Mr. Soto is also contemplating larger spaces for concessions so to give passengers greater selection.

Some of the projects include a $1.4 million plan for the escalators and elevators. This will include maintenance for 5 years to the escalators, elevators and trams in Terminal C, where AA is located. Also, the installation of two elevators in the parking building area where it gives access to AA and Eagle passengers; and the modernization of two elevators, a panoramic one near Banco Popular, two in the hotel area, and another close to Gate 40 in Terminal B.

To update SJU's appearance, $300,000 will be used to paint all the external parts of the terminals and the parking garage with new colors: gray, cream, "cobrizo" (?), and terracotta. Likewise, there'll be resigning projects to give effective directions to the airport users, through a contract with Caribbean Road Sign Fabricators for the amount of $535,425.

Other projects include the fixing of the bathroom facilities and the reconstruction of the SJU hotel for $5.6 million.