The Prairie du Chien Municipal Airport’s new $1.06 million terminal on the south side of the community is very close to completion. Wieser Brothers, of La Crescent, Minn., has constructed the modern-looking structure and completed a good share of the exterior concrete and brick facade. Roofing and edge metal work is needed yet. Inside, crews are working on finishes, doors, casework, heating, plumbing and electrical work.
“Most of the construction will be completed about mid-February,” said Al Szymanski, team leader for MSA professional Services.
“The terminal should be operational in late spring or early summer, City Administrator Aaron Kramer said.
At that time, site work, such as landscaping and seeding, will be done, Szymanski said.
The city is currently accepting bids for the removal of the current terminal building, though if no bids are received, the building could be torn down at a later date.
The Federal Aviation Administration was not interested in renovating the existing building because federal entitlements only pay for new construction. As the Courier Press previously reported, if the city chose to simply upgrade its existing terminal, it would be responsible for 100 percent of the associated costs. The original budget for the project, from May 2015, was $919,000. But that grew to $1.06 million, of which the city is responsible for and has already paid 9 percent. The new building, at 2,264 square feet, is larger than the existing space.
Amenities in the new terminal include a larger and improved flight planning and pilots lounge, a larger interior lounge, improved bathrooms, a larger storage area, and a locked mechanical room with traffic control equipment enclosed.
The new terminal building will also help to better serve the airport’s clientele and, hopefully, draw new businesses to the Prairie du Chien area.
http://www.guttenbergpress.com/articles/2017/01/26/new-terminal-brings-modern-look-municipal-airport