The Arnold Palmer Regional Airport terminal expansion is projected to cost $22 million, and after figuring in expected contributions from the federal and state governments, officials are asking Westmoreland County to put $4 million towards the project.
The Westmoreland County Airport Authority board this week approved making a formal request to the county commissioners for a portion of county covid relief funds to help pay for the development of a new expanded and renovated terminal building in Unity.
Authority Executive Director Gabe Monzo noted the expansion project is needed in part because of increased federal guidelines.
“With the development of Transportation Security Administration compliance issues and various other federal and state requirements over the past 25 years, it has become increasingly challenging to meet the needs of existing requirements,” Monzo wrote in a letter to the county.
A letter from the TSA stated that the existing TSA checkpoints in the airport do not meet the recommended space design standards and must be updated.
TSA leaders are working with airport officials on terminal design to ensure compliance with requirements. Both agencies have participated in design meetings and plan on continuing to work together throughout the process.
Initially, authority members estimated they would need to request $7 million from the county, but after evaluating the funding already committed to the project, the authority reduced the request to $4 million.
Scott Kunselman of McFarland-Johnson, the authority’s engineer, said the first phase of the project has begun with apron equipment storage construction and hangar demolition. The second phase is under final design with a predicted bid opening date in November and construction due to start next spring.
There is adequate state and federal funding to complete the $22 million project, Kunselman said. The only shortfall is the necessary county funds to help pay for work not covered by state and federal grants.
If the county contribution does not come through and the project is terminated, more $17 million in state and federal grant funding would have to be returned, he said.
The airport has served nearly 3 million passengers since 2011 and has had an overwhelming economic impact on the region, Monzo added.
Commissioner Doug Chew attended the meeting this week and met privately with authority board members regarding the funding request. The commissioners meet Thursday.
