Commission OKs design of new terminal

Web posted June 21, 2000

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By Justin Martin
Staff Writer

The Augusta Commission has given airport officials the long-awaited go-ahead for 100 percent completion of the design phase of the new terminal at Bush Field.

In 1997, the commission approved a work order to complete just 30 percent of the design of the terminal improvement project.

The project had been stalled ever since.

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``I think this is history in the making for the airport and for the community,'' said Tim Weegar, interim executive director of Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field. ``We're building the foundation for exciting developments at our airport. I'm just ecstatic.''

The commission's approval means the architecture and engineering firm of LPA & Associates will be able to prepare the necessary maps, plans and bid documents for the project.

``I think everyone in the region deserves an airport terminal we can be proud of,'' said Augusta Aviation Commission member Ernie Smith. ``This is a good step in that direction.''

A grant from the Federal Aviation Administration will cover 90 percent, or $717,865, of the costs associated with design completion. Airport officials will use airport funds to cover the remaining 10 percent, or $71,786, city officials said.

This approval was crucial for construction to be conducted around upcoming Masters Tournaments.

Had the Augusta Commission not approved completion of the design phase, the entire project could've been delayed another year.

The approval comes a day after a delegation of officials from the Augusta Aviation Commission, the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, Augusta Technical Institute and Garrett Aviation traveled to Greensboro, N.C., to tour Guilford Technical Community College's airframe and power plant school.

``It's the Cadillac of airframe power plant schools,'' said Mr. Weegar. ``It's an impressive facility, and it's a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be.''

There are more than 1100 airframe power plant mechanics employed at the facility and the adjacent school promises 100 percent job placement to its graduating students, Mr. Weegar said.

``It was exciting,'' said Marcie Wilhelmi, the lone Augusta Aviation Commission member to make the trip. ``There's no reason we can't do that in Augusta.''

There is talk of creating a similar school here in Augusta.

The school would be a joint operation of Garrett Aviation, Augusta Technical Institute and an airline, presumably Atlantic Southeast Airlines. It would be located at Bush Field.

The idea to build this new facility at Bush Field comes as ASA begins to look for four locations around the country to construct regional jet repair facilities.

ASA's maintenance and repair facility would require construction of a 40,000 to 50,000 square-foot building. The company is looking for communities to supply the infrastructure (hangar, parking, water, sewer) and a ready-trained certified labor force.

The school, run by Garrett Aviation and Augusta Tech, would require a 20,000 square-foot facility: half of the building would be hangar space, the other half would be classrooms.

Initial estimates had the school costing about $1 million to build, but now several Augusta aviation officials say the school will probably cost more than $3 million.

Augusta Tech officials predict the airframe power plant school would produce 20 to 25 FAA certified graduate mechanics per year.

Garrett Aviation, Augusta Regional Airport's largest tenant, has experienced tremendous growth during the past decadelargely because of the increased need for corporate and regional jets.

In order to continue its growth, the company needs as many qualified mechanics as it can get its hands on, airport officials said.

A new school would provide Garrett with a ready supply of mechanics, airport officials say.

Reach Justin Martin at (706) 823-3552.