XNA officials scrambling for interim parking space

NWA Democrat-Gazette/BEN GOFF @NWABENGOFF
A view of the main entrance on Thursday March 3, 2016 at Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport in Highfill.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/BEN GOFF @NWABENGOFF A view of the main entrance on Thursday March 3, 2016 at Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport in Highfill.

HIGHFILL -- Regional airport officials tackled several parking issues Wednesday in hopes of easing the expected crunch while a parking deck is being built.

The board approved a contract to expand the employee parking lot, which should offset some of the spaces lost to the construction.

The contract was awarded to Tomlinson Asphalt for $794,345. The project should be done in June and add 180 spaces. About 50 of those spaces will be used for valet parking to free up space in the short-term lot across from the terminal.

Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport staff members closed on a deal to issue bonds for the parking deck Dec. 28. Construction is expected to reduce short-term spaces from 491 to 274 spaces.

The airport board has a contract with Nabholz Construction to build the deck for $35 million. In addition to the $25 million bond issue, the airport board expects to put in $10 million from reserve.

The 1,400 space, four-level deck with a roof is expected to be ready to open about August 2018. It will be built in front of the terminal.

The structure is planned to house car rental companies initially. A second deck likely will be added for car rental companies in three to five years, airport officials have said.

Airport officials are also looking at moving the valet parking stand from just outside the front door of the terminal, but told directors they'll come back with a more detailed proposal in April.

"The whole idea is to move that whole operation down to that east corner of the building," said Scott Van Laningham, executive director of the airport. "We think it will improve the use of valet parking."

Airport officials hope patrons will use valet parking more, freeing up space in the short-term parking lot while the parking deck is being built. They plan a new structure to house valet parking with maybe a canopy.

Airport officials also agreed to pay Garver Engineering $950,000 for design work on a rehabilitation project for two taxiways.

The project should be eligible for 90 percent federal reimbursement.

NW News on 02/09/2017

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