Only 5 percent of cost would be paid for locally

The Albert Lea Municipal Airport may have a new arrival and departure building in the next two years.

The Albert Lea City Council approved a resolution Monday night approving an agreement with the United States Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration. The agreement outlined the conditions the city must agree to in order to receive federal funds for the environmental assessment for the new building and associated site development.

The city is looking at building an approximate 4,300-square foot arrival and departure building. The project is expected to cost approximately $1.5 million.

Under the agreement, 90 percent of the project will be paid for by federal funds. A separate grant will be completed with the state for 5 percent of the funding and there will be a 5 percent local share. Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams said the city is reviewing local funding options.

A grant has been approved for the design and engineering phase of the project but not for the construction itself. Adams said final approval will hopefully come either in spring or fall 2016. The project will start after final approval comes.

A new arrival and departure building could be completed by spring 2017, said Jim Hanson, airport manager.

The council approved a resolution amending a professional services agreement with engineering and architectural firm Mead & Hunt for the proposed project.

The arrival and departure building, built in 1972, was built too small, according to Hanson.

“We looked at it and asked what we were saving,” Hanson said. “It’s cheaper to build a new building than fix this one up. There are just so many things here that you can’t fix by patching things together.”

Hanson specifically mentioned the lack of a bathroom space and meeting room for important business meetings.

“This corrects a bunch of problems we have, and it brings us up to current standards as to what other airports have,” he said.

The flight school is planned to be in the new building, and the current hangar would be relocated elsewhere at the airport.

Hanson said a new arrival and departure building will make the community a more competitive place for business.

“It’s part of our infrastructure,” he said. “An airport won’t land you business, but it puts you in the running.”

The current building is planned for demolition if the proposed new building is built, Hanson said.

He said since 2005, airport improvements have included:

• The runway length has increased to 5,000 feet from 4,500 feet.

• Updated approach lighting has been installed.

• The navigation and weather system was relocated.

• The ramp area was redone.