Thursday, October 17th, 2019
Contractor picked for airport work
$1.6M terminal project planned at Armstrong airport
By Sydney Albert
WAPAKONETA - Baumer Construction has been selected as the contractor for the $1.6 million new terminal project at Neil Armstrong Airport.
IAP Government Services Group, which is providing project management services for the project, selected Baumer Construction as the contractor, according to a resolution approved by county commissioners on Wednesday.
County officials had previously discussed layout details and a possible timeline for the project as contract details had been negotiated. Erica Preston, county administrator, said the next steps for the project would be finalizing the layout and establishing a timeline for the project.
The outward appearance and size of the approximately 4,700-square-foot building with an 1,800-square-foot basement has been largely settled, but some details for the internal layout are still being discussed with options to be drawn up before a final decision is made.
The current proposal includes a large waiting area with plenty of windows and a central service desk. Depending on which furniture is purchased, officials said airport authority meetings could be held in the open space waiting area or in a separate conference room.
A manager's office, kitchen and vending area, restrooms and a storage and utility room are included, with an IT room in the basement.
The plans also include a small pilot restroom and lounge in the back area, which airport manager Ted Bergstrom said would be a popular space. Even with a larger waiting room, pilots are often looking for a quiet place to rest, shut the blinds and maybe get some sleep.
While final details are still being worked out, Preston said if all went well, the demolition of the old terminal building and pouring of the new terminal's foundation could begin later this year.
