by Carla Knapp
Pharos-Tribune associate editor
Fri, May 16 2008
—
With site preparation and some minor demolition already under way, construction will soon begin on the second phase of what is expected to be a $1.9 million renovation and modernization project at the Logansport-Cass County Airport.
The first phase, a modern, fully enclosed T-hangar, was complete in February. At that time, airport manager Tim Dalton unveiled plans for a new operations center to replace the small and outdated airport office.
The groundbreaking for that facility is set for 5:30 p.m. May 21, although Fishers-based Meyers Construction has already begun removing shrubs and digging in underground utility lines. State-level permits have been approved for the project, which cleared the way for local applications, and Dalton said the heart of the project will likely start within the next week to 10 days.
“We’re moving forward with modernization plans,” said Dalton. “It will be nice to move them off the planning table and into actual work.”
By comparison to the current facility, which was built in 1971, the new operations center will offer major upgrades in terms of space and modern amenities. Designed by Butler, Fairman and Seufert Engineering, the facility includes a larger lobby, multiple conference rooms and offices, modernized pilot facilities and a state-of-the-art flight plan area.
The building will also include an attached hangar for corporate aircraft.
Steel for the facility will arrive on June 7, which will mark the start of building construction. The building is expected to cost $1.37 million.
Initially, the T-hangar and operation center projects were to be combined into one phase. Delays forced airport officials to separate the two projects, which will ultimately increase fees for documentation reviews by professional consultants. The airport authority approved more than $13,000 at a meeting Wednesday to cover the additional fees so the project could move forward.
Though the original timeline for these projects has been moved back, Dalton said he still hoped to move into the new operation center by Thanksgiving.
The first two renovation projects will be funded through bonds secured by the airport. The third is a 5,000-foot runway expansion that is still pending full FAA approval. That project will be eligible for reimbursed funding through the FAA, although construction on that project is not expected until 2009.
The airport recently reached an agreement with the FAA for the environmental impact study for the runway project. The project is now in a 30-day public comment period, after which the airport can move forward.
“In a short period of time, we’ll have a truly modernized facility that will serve the users in the community as well as attract more users from outside the community,” said Dalton.
Carla Knapp can be contacted at (574) 732-5150 or via e-mail at carla.knapp@pharostribune.com
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