The fixed-base operator at Springdale Municipal Airport has offered to pay for some renovations at the terminal building but has asked for a lengthy lease in exchange.
Springdale Airport Commission members, who discussed Summit Aviation’s proposal Thursday, will meet again Feb. 11 to continue considering the matter.
The company proposes spending up to $300,000 on interior renovations, including the restrooms on the first floor, new furnishings, a new monument-style sign, new paint, and replacing the flooring upstairs and on the first floor.
“Summit will retain an architect/interior designer as needed to prepare plans and decorating designs to be approved by the commission or a committee ASAP so work can begin,” the company’s proposal stated.
The proposal also lists projects that the city would undertake. On that list is painting the outside of the terminal, repairing a leaky roof, and updating the terminal’s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.
At a Jan. 12 meeting, the City Council approved allocating up to $45,000 from capital improvement program funds for work on the exterior of the terminal. The work includes resealing windows and painting the exterior.
Wyman Morgan, city director of administration and financial services, has said the city applied for a $40,000 grant from the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District on behalf of the Springdale Airport Commission. That money could help pay for the work on the terminal.
Also in Summit Aviation’s proposal are three items that the company wants added to its lease. The company’s lease on the terminal expires in 2017, Johnson said.
Summit would like to continue to lease the terminal building and use a hangar at the airport. It also wants the lease on the terminal and a fuel station to last 30 years.
Under the proposal, Summit’s rent would rise to $2,350 per month.
Powell said the city now gets $2,210 in rent from Summit, a restaurant and another organization that’s in the terminal building.