MONROE - It's the "front door to the city," according to Tom Kelly, a member of the City of Monroe Airport Board of Management.
A new terminal building for Monroe Municipal Airport is on the state aviation board's list of approved funded projects, with the design of the facility coming this year. Construction is scheduled for 2013 on the airport's six-year improvement program.
Aviation projects are funded mostly by the federal government; state and local governments pick up a small share of the costs.
The city received word last month that the design work on the terminal project, which includes a study of Monroe Airport's space needs, will cost about $80,000. The City of Monroe and State of Wisconsin will pay about $4,000 each for the project. The Federal Aviation Administration funds the remaining 90 percent of the project.
The city's share is "a small amount compared to (the cost of) the full project," City Administrator Phil Rath said.
Rath was voted in as the city's airport manager by the board Wednesday. He will also serve on the state aviation selection committee that will choose the architect for the project.
The current airport terminal was built in 1972. The building, about 900 square feet in size and siting on a cement slab, offers few amenities for travelers - a men's restroom and a women's restroom, a drinking fountain, and a computer for updated weather reports. An old couch covered with a blanket, upholstered rocking chair and small television provide some extra comfort.
Insulated with vermiculite, the building is hard to heat, said Rob Driver, the airport operator. Driving winter winds have breached areas around electrical outlets and created snow drifts inside the building at times, he added.
Kelly pointed out the rotting siding and lack of storage space for the mounting aviation manuals and paperwork, as well as for spare parts for runway lights and other electrical equipment.
"It's just used up, worn out," he added.
The size of the new terminal will be determined by the state aviation board. Driver is hoping the design will include a public area that can remain open to receive incoming pilots and passengers all night, and a locked office area.
Costs for construction of the terminal was estimated at about $500,000 in the project plans two years ago, Rath said. But construction would also receive federal and state funding.
Other projects on the board's improvement program are a parallel taxiway designing in 2014; the taxiway construction in 2015; and a perimeter fence in 2016. The project for 2017 is still unfilled.
The Common Council must approve the six-year improvement program for 2012-2017, which Rath will submit at a council meeting in March.
Airport improvement programs are required by the state aviation board, which uses them to plan its list of projects to fund. The states' lists are used by the federal aviation board to make its funding requests to Congress.
Based on the state aviation board inspections, any airport's improvement plans could shift to meet safety requirements.
"Resurfacing the runway is a big-ticket item out there, but the state decides when (it needs to be done), with a two- to three-year leeway," said Clarence Peters, Monroe Airport Board Treasurer.
If resurfacing comes due, the terminal construction could get moved down the list of projects, he added.
A new terminal building for Monroe Municipal Airport is on the state aviation board's list of approved funded projects, with the design of the facility coming this year. Construction is scheduled for 2013 on the airport's six-year improvement program.
Aviation projects are funded mostly by the federal government; state and local governments pick up a small share of the costs.
The city received word last month that the design work on the terminal project, which includes a study of Monroe Airport's space needs, will cost about $80,000. The City of Monroe and State of Wisconsin will pay about $4,000 each for the project. The Federal Aviation Administration funds the remaining 90 percent of the project.
The city's share is "a small amount compared to (the cost of) the full project," City Administrator Phil Rath said.
Rath was voted in as the city's airport manager by the board Wednesday. He will also serve on the state aviation selection committee that will choose the architect for the project.
The current airport terminal was built in 1972. The building, about 900 square feet in size and siting on a cement slab, offers few amenities for travelers - a men's restroom and a women's restroom, a drinking fountain, and a computer for updated weather reports. An old couch covered with a blanket, upholstered rocking chair and small television provide some extra comfort.
Insulated with vermiculite, the building is hard to heat, said Rob Driver, the airport operator. Driving winter winds have breached areas around electrical outlets and created snow drifts inside the building at times, he added.
Kelly pointed out the rotting siding and lack of storage space for the mounting aviation manuals and paperwork, as well as for spare parts for runway lights and other electrical equipment.
"It's just used up, worn out," he added.
The size of the new terminal will be determined by the state aviation board. Driver is hoping the design will include a public area that can remain open to receive incoming pilots and passengers all night, and a locked office area.
Costs for construction of the terminal was estimated at about $500,000 in the project plans two years ago, Rath said. But construction would also receive federal and state funding.
Other projects on the board's improvement program are a parallel taxiway designing in 2014; the taxiway construction in 2015; and a perimeter fence in 2016. The project for 2017 is still unfilled.
The Common Council must approve the six-year improvement program for 2012-2017, which Rath will submit at a council meeting in March.
Airport improvement programs are required by the state aviation board, which uses them to plan its list of projects to fund. The states' lists are used by the federal aviation board to make its funding requests to Congress.
Based on the state aviation board inspections, any airport's improvement plans could shift to meet safety requirements.
"Resurfacing the runway is a big-ticket item out there, but the state decides when (it needs to be done), with a two- to three-year leeway," said Clarence Peters, Monroe Airport Board Treasurer.
If resurfacing comes due, the terminal construction could get moved down the list of projects, he added.