Springfield airport teminal design takes off

by Eric Olson

SBJ Reporter

eolson@sbj.net

Rob Hancik's eyes light up when he talks about Springfield-Branson Regional Airport's midfield terminal project. He has good reason to: Airport officials have cleared a federal environmental review that allows design work to proceed and opens federal coffers to Springfield's project.

The airport director shared his enthusiasm for the estimated $100 million-plus project with Springfield City Council members at their June 8 luncheon, one day after receiving a "finding of no significant impact," or FONSI report, from the Federal Aviation Administration. When passed, a FONSI report FAA's initial environmental assessment makes available federal monies, sometimes up to 80 percent of project costs, Hancik told council members and city staff last week. It took three years to get the FONSI report.

Still unclear is how much federal funding Springfield would see. "We have to compete for that money," Hancik said.

Joining Hancik were airport board chairman Bill Kirkman and Martin Wander, a representative of the Florida-based architectural and engineering firm designing the terminal.

With the federal go-ahead, officials are moving quickly to nail down designs; site work could begin in 2005 or 2006, Hancik said. Employment and population growth faster than state and national averages also is leading airport board members and officials to move sooner than later.

Their theory: Airport traffic will soon catch up with other area growth. And the airport is "reaching its limits," said Wander, pointing out that enplanements are rebounding from a post-9-11 slump, up 5 percent so far this year over last. The airport saw 653,253 passengers in 2003, and forecasts project 1.2 million by 2018.

"I am very confident the growth pattern will continue," Wander said. "The airport needs to continue to grow.

"You're in the middle of the country. Airports less popular than this have turned into hubs."

Wander is vice president-aviation for Reynolds, Smith and Hills Inc., a Jacksonville, Fla.-based firm that provides architectural, engineering, planning and environmental services for such sectors as aviation and aerospace/defense. RS&H's airport design list includes Duluth International, George Bush Intercontinental and Jacksonville International.

Airport officials hired RS&H in November 2003. The concept design contract is for $1.3 million, but complete design estimates could run $4.5 million, Hancik said. Federal funds are expected to cover between 70 percent and 80 percent of the cost.

Roadblock

As one hurdle is cleared, airport officials are turning to the next: acquiring some 360 acres needed for expansion. So far, that hasn't been easy.

Attempts to purchase 160 acres for construction of a third runway have ended up under FAA scrutiny. After beating the airport in a bidding war in March, landowner Paul Sidio said he has divided those 160 acres into 10-acre residential lots under the parameters of Greene County zoning. Sidio has sold two lots at approximately $50,000 each. The land appraised for more than $650,000, according to Sidio.

About a week after City Council gave airport officials the go-ahead for condemnation, Sidio lodged a complaint with the FAA's Kansas City Regional Office regarding airport officials' negotiating tactics.

The FAA sent a letter to Springfield airport officials reminding them of federal regulations for public acquisitions, which include current appraisals and good-faith negotiations before condemnation. In April, the airport offered $325,000, equal to what Sidio paid for it in March, but half his current asking price.

Following the council luncheon, Hancik said the board does not intend to condemn the property.

"All we have is the authority to condemn it, we have not said we would use it. We're having it appraised," Hancik said, declining to say by whom.

Hancik added that he is aware that Sidio's company, Ozark Country Realty, is selling lots.

Sidio said two buyers that had parcels under contract have backed out.

"Most people are afraid to fight the airport," he said. "I've made it easy for them to back out. I'm not holding their feet to the fire."

Terminal designs

The Springfield concept is a work in progress. For months, airport board members have heard proposals from RS & H staff.

The early details comprise the terminal complex, taxiways and runways, and highway access to Division and Interstate 44. Wander said as many as three dozen RS&H staff are working on the project, trying to bring Springfield's culture into the look of the terminal.

"This is your gateway to the rest of the world," he said. "I'm expecting to use a lot of local limestone, a lot of glass and who knows what until I talk with the board again."

Wander has presented the board five different interior designs. A decision has not been made, but a board meeting next week could be another step in that direction, Hancik said. The board reviews the project ever two months.

The new, one-story terminal is designed with 14 gates, but has expansion potential for up to 60. Early designs show a peninsula entrance surrounded by public parking, "more European than it is American," Wander said. Another break from airport molds is an island ticket counter, in lieu of the linear counter. Officials also have designed a drop-hole for luggage at the check-in desks.

Two other firms may be hired later for airfield and access road designs, Hancik said.