With the Phoenix City Council’s approval of proposed plans, Sky Harbor’s Terminal 2 will be no more as demolition in the future.

Despite the council having approved the plans on Wednesday, no action is expected for another two years.

Officials stated that nothing will happen until the makeover and expansion of Terminal 3 has been completed, which is estimated for 2020.

Those plans include improved food options and more comfortable and modern waiting areas.

At this time the construction is approximately 70 percent completed on Terminal 3, according to Phoenix Sky Harbor spokeswoman Julie Rodriguez.

“The good news is the worst of the construction and inconvenience is almost over,” Rodriguez said. “During this Terminal 3 modernization, walks have been a little longer; it’s been less convenient to drive around Terminal 3. That is almost over.” 

At this time, there are no specific plans set for what will be built on the Terminal 2 land once demolition takes place. 

Having opened in 1962, Terminal 2 is Sky Harbor’s oldest and smallest terminal. The airlines that currently fly out of the terminal will be relocated to Terminal 3. Those airlines include United, Spirit, Alaska, Boutique and Contour. 

The public response to the news is mixed as some are excited about the additional food options, while others will miss the ease it provided. 

“That’s too bad. I love Terminal 2,” said Jack Arnold, who was picking up his grandchildren from Terminal 2 Thursday. “It’s small, compact; easy to find things. Parking is right across the street; it’s easy to park.”

With Terminal 2 in its current state, it would be more cost effective to demolish the area as opposed to opting for a remodel. The demolition is slated to be a multi-million-dollar project.

“Terminal 2 was state-of-the-art in 1962 when it opened and it really did serve Phoenix well for decades, but it wasn’t built for the aircraft and passengers of today,” said Rodriguez.

There is one historic piece of Terminal 2 that will remain despite all of the other changes. The iconic Phoenix mural that was introduced in 1962 pays tribute to the past, present and future of Phoenix. The mural will be reserved and relocated to a different area of the airport, with the future location still to be determined.

The three sectors of the piece include the railroad, the Phoenix bird and artist Paul Coze’s interpretation of the future of technology. 

Airport museum curator Gary Martelli said the 16-foot-by-75-foot mural consists of 52 different materials including gemstones, mosaic glass and sand from different counties throughout the state. 

“I’ve always been impressed by the construction of it,” said Martelli. “We knew it was very beloved by the citizens of Phoenix and we received many phone calls and letters from the general public asking about what’s going to happen to the Phoenix mural.”