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Redmond Airport readies for terminal expansion and new quick-turn car-rental facility; construction staffing and security planned
Summary
Airport Director Zack Bass told the budget committee major construction will begin soon on a terminal expansion and a quick-turn car-rental facility; the budget shows capacity to absorb related debt service and includes funding for added security officers, temporary support and consultant work for airline/car-rental agreements.
Redmond Airport Director Zack Bass and finance manager Steve Juba presented a construction-focused airport budget that includes a large terminal expansion and a separate quick-turn car-rental facility (QTA).
Bass said the total programed airport project is substantial and the budgeted near-term spending will be large; he said the airport expects to reimburse initial cash outlays with bond proceeds and that projected operations can afford the estimated debt service on an anticipated bond issue. Bass said the airport expects to spend about $63 million in the coming budget cycle toward a larger program the airport cited at roughly $180 million.
The airport's operating budget anticipates adding one full-time security officer (bringing the airport's in-house armed security roster toward nine) and increasing temporary support for tasks such as badge processing and increased custodial or maintenance needs once construction walls start affecting operations. Bass said badge processing will expand significantly: staff expect to manage more than 1,400 additional badges for construction personnel during the project timeline.
On commercial operations, Bass said the airport projects passenger growth and that airline and car-rental agreements will need updates to allocate debt-service responsibility and operational details; the budget includes consultant funding to support those contract negotiations and space-program work.
Bass said construction activity is expected to affect passenger experience in the next two years but that the airport remains one of the more affordable regional airports on a per-boarding cost basis; he said the airport will present fee-schedule adjustments to council for consideration on May 19.
Committee members asked about prior contracting versus in-house security; Bass said contracting proved less reliable and the airport moved to an in-house model to improve service reliability even if it had been less expensive under contract previously.
Airport staff will return with fee adjustments and will coordinate construction staging and security staffing as projects begin.
