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Park Hill shows Abilene terminal redesign; board debates centerpiece 'fireplace'
Summary
Designers from Park Hill previewed renderings for a terminal expansion that adds about 4,700 square feet to the hold room and seating for roughly 200; board members questioned a tabletop fireplace feature while acknowledging the project's multi‑year planning and funding pathway.
At the Airport Development Board's May meeting, Park Hill designer Colin Zelachek walked members through new terminal renderings that consolidate upper and lower drives, add a covered canopy and reconfigure ticketing and gate hold rooms.
"As you approach the facility, this is what you would see," Colin Zelachek said while showing the exterior and interior visualizations. Don, airport staff, told the board the first package for the room expansion will be brought to the board for approval in the coming months and that the layout preserves current jetbridges while allowing an electrical and structural provision to add another bridge later.
Designers said the plan increases hold‑room area by about 4,700 square feet and provides seating for roughly 200 people. "We planned this to have seating for 200 people," Colin said, noting the figure came from planning tied to the terminal area forecast.
A recurring topic during the walkthrough was a central, enclosed tabletop 'fireplace' feature that designers proposed as an ambience and seating element. Colin described it as an electric or gas enclosed display behind glass meant for ambiance, not heat; "it's not gonna be live… it is there for show, basically, ambiance," he said. Several board members questioned whether the visual theme and expense fit the community and whether the space would be better used for additional seating or local displays. One member asked whether the feature "says Abilene," and another suggested alternatives such as display cases celebrating local industry and history.
Don said staff will finalize construction documents and pricing and will include board input on concession‑related RFPs and finishes. He also said the firm Lindbeck (construction manager) and Cutchins and Grow (construction‑phase consultant) remain engaged in the project process. The board did not vote on design details at the meeting but board members signaled they expect a finalized design and cost package within weeks and urged staff to weigh both aesthetics and fiduciary responsibility when finalizing the scope.
