Tuesday, Oct. 25, The Benedum Airport Authority unveiled the architectural rendering of it the $35 million terminal to be constructed along Route 279.
Past estimates have listed a possible completion date in 2024. When done, there will be a three-story, 45,000 square foot modern terminal in place.
Located on the first floor will be ticketing, baggage claim, and other amenities. Travelers will board from the second floor, level with the tarmac and taxiways along with checkpoints and TSA. The third floor, which Mayor Andy Lang said will likely be built out at a later date, will house administrative airport offices.
Rick Holes, Vice President of Aviation Service at L.R. Kimball, architect for the project, said the terminal will bring bigger things to the region.
“I honestly believe this is going to be a game changer,” said Holes. “This is going to be a lot more comfortable for passengers, for TSA, for everything.”
He said the new holding room will be able to accommodate 350 passengers. Currently, he said, it is in the range of 150.
“This will bring the airport into the 21st century,” said Holes.
Airport Executive Director Rick Rock said it will be here “for decades to come.”
The terminal project has been in discussion for decades. There will be a non-mandatory pre-bid conference in November with a bid receipt and opening Dec. 1. Bids will be opened at 2 p.m.
“I’ve had the pleasure of being involved in several big things in the community, but this is a huge thing for our community,” Lang said.
Lang said federal grants received, as well as the annual dollars from the Federal Aviation Administration will cover the bulk of the cost. That will cover all but about $5 million of the expected expense and Lang said the airport will utilize a low-interest loan program offered by the state to cover it.
The cost of the project includes the terminal building, parking, access road from Route 279, and the tarmac and taxiway. Holes said there will be room for 500 cars and the terminal can manage three airplanes at one time.