There's a plan in place to build a new terminal building at the Genesee County Airport. There's just no money to pay for it.
The feds have provided grants for the architectural work -- $200,000 so far, with another $200,000 in planning the work required. And the feds will pay for demolition of the current terminal building, which sits partially within the Federal Aviation Administration's required safety zone near a runway.
The feds right now are not paying for new terminal construction.
The new terminal and associated hangar will cost about $6.5 million.
County Highway Superintendant Tim Hens discussed the status of the terminal project at today's Public Service Committee meeting.
There may be some grant money available soon to help cover the cost, but if grant money doesn't come through, the current plans may need to be put on a shelf, Hens said, until funding is found.
At the meeting today, county legislators expressed full support for replacing the current, aging terminal, but how to pay for it is the vexing problem.
The county could issue a construction bond, but that would mean interest payments, so legislators peppered Hens with suggestions to ask airport users -- including Mercy Flight, the State Police and some local corporations -- to help pay for the new terminal.
Because the terminal is a critical link in economic growth, Legislator Ray Cianfrini wondered if the Genesee County Economic Development Center shouldn't kick in some cash.
"We have a lot of site selectors flying in and business people from around the country," Hens said. "For a lot of these people coming to our county for the first time, their first impression they have of our county is the airport terminal. When you're talking about a site the size of STAMP, big companies like Apple and Intel might fly in here and the terminal is their first impression."
The proposed new terminal would be two levels with space for current tenant Boshart (also leasing the new hangar attached to the new terminal), a cafe, office space, conference room space and space for a new flight school.
Increase user fees so the
Increase user fees so the people who use the airport pay for the terminal. If we are being forced by Albany to spend another $1,000,000 on the jail to hire more staff, the airport goes on the back burner.
Ah the problems of a complex
Ah the problems of a complex socialist society.
"We have a lot of site selectors flying in and business people from around the country," Hens said. "For a lot of these people coming to our county for the first time, their first impression they have of our county is the airport terminal. When you're talking about a site the size of STAMP, big companies like Apple and Intel might fly in here and the terminal is their first impression."
How about we realize that STAMP is going to be much more trouble than it will realistically be worth and just stop the big government spending madness?
Hens said.... When you're
Hens said.... When you're talking about a site the size of STAMP, big companies like Apple and Intel might fly in here and the terminal is their first impression."...
I doubt that they would fly into our airport when the Buffalo airport is only 25 miles down the road from the Stamp site...Dumb reason to build a new terminal that no one will use..Hens should be worrying more about making sure the roads we all drive on are safe in good condition...
$400,000 tax dollars for plans to build something the people don't want is also a waste of taxpayer money...