SPRINGDALE — Bathrooms and creating more space will be renovation priorities at Springdale Municipal Airport.
The Springdale Airport Commission, at a work session Thursday, prioritized needs for updating the terminal. There have been complaints about the dated feel of the terminal, said Wyman Morgan, city director of administration and financial affairs.
Zach Holderfield, who rents an airplane storage hanger, sent a letter to the commission supporting updates. The building has a dated feel and appearance, he wrote. Other facilities have more of an “upscale and classy” feel.
Commissioners agreed the updates are needed.
“We need to bring the terminal building into the 21st century,” said Greg Collier, a commissioner.
“It’s like walking into a bus station,” said Bill Schoonover, a commissioner. “Let’s face it. We are in competition with other airports in the area. Other airports make a better impression.”
Bathrooms need to meet federal Americans with Disabilities Act standards and convert or add handicapped stalls, said Greg Willoughby, commission chairman. More space can be created on the second floor by filling in open space that connects the first and second floors. The restaurant on the second floor, the Flaps Down Grill, has asked for more space.
The commission discussed changes that could be made to the outside of the building at a low cost.
The right paint and graphic coordination could tie all of the airport buildings together, said Audy Lack with Miller Boskus Lack architects. The commission selected the company to design the renovation.
The commission’s first project is replacing approach lights for the airport. The system was purchased about 20 years ago. It’s failed and parts are no longer available, Morgan said. The lights are mainly in the parking lot of The Jones Center.
The airport has operated without approach lights, but the runway has landing lights. Approach lights aren’t required for an airport the size of Springdale’s, but the lack affects safety when flying at night, said Neil Johnson, a commissioner.
The commission has applied to the state Department of Aeronautics for a grant to pay 80 percent of the $300,000 cost. The City Council approved Monday spending $60,000 to match the grant. Garver Engineering has been hired to design and oversee installing the new system. Ggrant approval is expected after the commission has completed the bid process for the work.