MOUNT VERNON — It will be busy summer of “make-overs” for the Knox County Airport. Projects about to lift off include a grant-funded project to expand the airport terminal building to make it Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant — and separately, a $4.2 million repaving project for the entire 5,500 foot-long runway.
A presentation on fast-approaching airport projects was given Thursday to Knox County Commissioners by Chris Cordle, president of the Knox County Airport Authority; Jeff Salva, an architect with Green Valley Design, LLC of Mount Vernon; and Amy Schocken, community development consultant. They informed the commissioners they are close to going out to bid on two separate airport terminal projects — Projects A and B — estimated at a combined total of about $413,000. Funding comes through an already received Community Development Block Grant of $100,000, and funding from multiple donors.
Project A involves the ADA compliance project for the terminal, with new, spacious restrooms to be constructed that are handicapped accessible. Also constructed will be an automatic sliding door entrance to the tarmac area taking clients to the airport taxiway, runway, and hangars nearby. No handicapped-accessible ramps are necessary because the single-level terminal building, in place since 1966, is already flat and easily accessed. The project cost includes plumbing associated with new fixtures.
Project B involves a substantial expansion of the small terminal building. Green Valley Design’s plans provide for lobby and office renovation. The expansion comes through a new addition to the building, which will be a conference room. Salva provided two different color themes under consideration. There will be close to $90,000 in new electrical work required for both projects, but that will not be part of the bid packages due to the complexity of that project, which involves Federal Aviation Administration-required wiring specifications and the moving of electrical control panels. The airport uses an existing contractor who provides electrical services.
Knox County Airport, at 6481 Kinney Drive, has a total of 386 acres and is surrounded by a perimeter fence. Some of the property is used as farmland. Airport clients are mainly individuals who own planes and jets and rent or own hangar space, as well as jet-transported corporate clients. The largest hangar is Ariel Corp.’s privately owned hangar, which houses two planes including a jet. Many universities, such as Ohio State University and Kent State University, have student pilots fly in to the airport as part of their flight requirements, Airport Manager Joshua Wynn said. The University of South Dakota Flying Team has even used the airport for practice before flying competitions in Ohio. Clients are offered services such as plane fueling.
Corporate clients include Kenyon College parents and students, some of whom fly in for May graduation ceremonies, and some who fly in to check out the college for a prospective student. One prospective student considering the college recently flew in on a $60 million Gulfstream jet, Cordle noted.
“We have a reputation of being a friendly place,” he offered. He added that the airport termination improvements, once completed, should showcase some of the business attractions that airport terminals are known to do, such as lodging options.
