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City hears plan for new Cavern City Airport terminal as TSA upgrades stall remodel
Summary
City staff outlined a proposal to build a new terminal south of the existing Cavern City Air Terminal after asbestos, electrical and layout constraints made remodeling impractical; the conceptual plan carries an estimated $3 million price tag and staff said TSA and state aviation partners are supportive.
Casey Cass, who gave the airport update to the council, said the project team has encountered repeated obstacles trying to retrofit the existing terminal to meet TSA sterile-screening requirements and modern electrical and safety standards. “It’s asbestos laden,” Cass said, and electrical upgrades and required abatement made keeping the terminal open during reconstruction technically infeasible.
Cass told the council the city is now proposing to build a new terminal south of the current facility. “We’re gonna slide south of the airport and build a new terminal,” he said, adding that the concept would allow the city to avoid phasing constraints that would otherwise require keeping the old terminal in service during construction.
Why it matters: staff said a new terminal would make it easier to meet TSA screening requirements and open the door to regional-jet service and new routes, including a planned shift from Denver to Dallas once sterile screening is in place. Cass said the concept design is still early but that regional TSA and federal contacts have signaled support. “TSA is so happy about this decision,” he said.
Details and cost: Cass presented a conceptual footprint and cited a roughly $3,000,000 figure for the initial build, noting the price could rise if higher-end finishes are chosen. He characterized the initial building as a cost-saving move versus extensive asbestos remediation, electrical rework and sequencing in the old terminal: “You’re looking at a $3,000,000 price tag here,” he said.
Council questions and operations: Councilors pressed for operational details, including whether both terminals would be used and how airline service would be allocated. Staff replied that flight operations would move to the new terminal and any space in the old terminal would be available for leased uses such as freight or tenant offices. Cass said the airport is pursuing state grant support to preserve existing Denver service while pursuing Dallas service and that NMDOT Aviation has been supportive.
Next steps: Cass described a fast-track procurement strategy to shorten lead times—ordering key building components once 50% design is reached—and said more detailed design and cost estimates will follow. The update was informational and did not require immediate council action; staff will return with refined budgets and timelines for further council consideration.
