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Richmond airport wins federal design grant for terminal; city flags parking garage structural and safety fixes
Summary
Richmond’s airport manager confirmed a federal design grant for a new terminal and said LWC is designing the project; construction funding will be sought next year.
Airport manager Rodney Maze and staff told the Committee that the city received a federal grant to design a new terminal and that design work is under way with LWC; the city plans to apply for construction funds next year.
Rodney said surveying and early design are in process and that receipt of the federal design grant improves the city’s prospects for receiving a construction grant. The airport reported roughly $559,678 in expected revenue next year (including a higher farm lease bid than anticipated) and appropriations of approximately $498,044 for personnel, supplies and general services; staffing in the airport fund currently comprises two full‑time employees. Rodney said a recently vacated part‑time position was removed from the 2026 budget and will be reevaluated depending on need.
On off-street parking and the downtown parking garage, presenters said revenues have declined after a major annual payer left and that the garage requires immediate and medium-term attention. City staff described multiple problems at the garage including cracked ceilings in restrooms (restrooms closed due to vandalism), leaking infrastructure, lighting and safety issues and damage to drain piping. The city lacks sufficient off-street account cash to fully address structural stabilization, so staff plan to seek redevelopment commission funding for immediate stabilization and to pursue longer-term repairs alongside broader downtown redevelopment. Staff said janitorial coverage is limited: a single part‑time day‑porter must maintain multiple lots; officials described the need for an additional staff position (50/50 split with transit) or other funding to improve oversight and cleanliness.
Councilors asked whether repairs and branding upgrades could be done this year; staff said major structural stabilization would likely be 2026 and that some branding/cleanliness initiatives are being pursued through a private donation campaign for new benches and other cosmetic upgrades.
Ending: Airport staff will continue design with LWC, apply for a construction grant in early 2026, and redevelopment staff will evaluate funding requests for immediate garage stabilization and longer-term repairs and branding.
