Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Airport Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board of Aviation outlines $3 million terminal plan, seeks roughly $1 million to close funding gap
Summary
Jonathan Mead, president of the Richmond Board of Aviation, presented a $3 million plan for a new Richmond Municipal Airport terminal, citing ADA and weatherability issues with the existing building; the project has about $1 million of remaining need after grants, an INDOT match and private pledges.
Jonathan Mead, president of the Richmond Board of Aviation, updated the Richmond Redevelopment Commission on Jan. 20 about plans to replace the airport’s aging terminal and seek community and grant funding to cover a funding gap.
Mead said conceptual design began in 2023, an environmental study was completed in 2024 and architectural design work continued in 2025. The board hopes to advertise construction bids in April 2026 to capture available grant opportunities. "We are trying to replace the aging terminal that we have out at the airport," Mead said, citing water intrusion and ADA-accessibility shortcomings at the current facility.
Mead provided the board’s current funding picture: about $316,000 from accumulated Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant funds earmarked for the terminal, roughly $442,000 remaining from allocations tied to the bipartisan infrastructure law, anticipated INDOT matching funds for construction, a confirmed private pledge of $200,000, and approximately $750,000 in airport funds already available. Together those sources reduce project costs but leave an estimated shortfall of about $1 million, Mead said. The airport has also applied for a competitive FAA terminal grant; Mead said the grant decision is expected around April but is not guaranteed.
Mead described program elements that include a larger passenger waiting area, ADA-compliant circulation (the existing terminal’s women’s restroom is currently on a second floor with no elevator), a pilot access area for 24-hour needs, and a community meeting room and patio intended for public events. He said the board will seek additional private donors (including naming-rights opportunities) and may ask redevelopment or other bodies for funding if the FAA grant does not cover the gap.
Mead offered to provide digital renderings to commission members and stressed the timing pressure: some federal infrastructure funds could expire if not obligated during the current grant cycle.
No formal action or vote on redevelopment funding was taken at the meeting; the briefing was informational.
