Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) announced it will undertake 10 projects in 10 years

3/13/2008

The Akron-Canton Airport announced Wednesday it will undertake 10 projects in 10 years as part of a new $110 million capital improvement plan.

The projects include a major runway extension and a border patrol facility that will accommodate international flights.

Airport officials unveiled the long-term plan at the Cleveland Engineering Society's 56th Design & Construction Conference in Westlake.

About 200 design and construction players from the public and private sectors listened to the presentation.

''You are the partners that will help us dream, create and build our vision,'' said Rick McQueen, assistant airport director. ''We will need engineers, designers and contractors to help us every step of the way.''

He called the 10-year plan ''realistic yet essential to strengthen our place in the regional air transportation network.''

''Your expertise will help us reach our goals . . . below budget and on time,'' he said.

Kristie Van Auken, airport director of marketing and communications, referred to the leadership of airport director Fred Krum for the vision and success of the airport for the past 32 years. She said its five-year $65 million ''STAR'' capital improvement plan wrapped up in late 2006, with one a runway extension from 6,400 feet to 7,600 feet; a food court; improved access; a larger baggage claim area; and a second-level concourse.

Van Auken said that because of the rapid growth of flights by such airlines as AirTran, Frontier and others, passengers from as far away as West Virginia and Pennsylvania regularly use the airport known in the industry as ''CAK.''

She said the airport offers the lowest average fare of any in Ohio and serves 1.4 million passengers a year.

Nonstop flights from Akron-Canton reach 13 destinations, with single connections to more than 200 cities.

''Our new 10-year plan is in keeping with our vision of making CAK a better way to go,'' McQueen said. ''The facilities we build will enhance our airfield operations and give us more runway length for longer flights. CAK is committed to being a vital regional transportation asset, with great airline service and world-class facilities to serve travelers.''

The ''CAK 2018'' plan calls for completing the second runway extension (which began in 2006) at a cost of $60 million. It is expected to be finished by late 2010. Lengthening the runway from 7,600 feet to 8,200 means the airport will be able to accommodate aircraft offering nonstop flights anywhere in the United States and Mexico.

More aircraft parking

Another project is the expansion of aircraft parking. The airport has 11 gates and 12 to 14 planes can be housed. By adding a new parking ramp, two to three more planes can park.

The airport also wants to increase parking space for cars. There are three lots: short term, long term and the economy lot, providing 2,300 spots. An additional 1,000 parking spots will be available for vehicles. ''We are not looking at decks. It will still be surface lots,'' McQueen said.

Screening expansion

The 10-year plan also includes expanding the security screening area and opening a new concourse. There are also plans to widen the entrance road to make dropoffs and pickups easier. Three new ticket positions are to be added.

The airport wants to replace its 30-year-old aircraft rescue and firefighting maintenance facility for $5 million. A new customs and border patrol facility costing $3.65 million will act as its own terminal for international flights.

The airport is also working with Green to apply for funding to help build a Port Green Industrial Park on 213 acres for $6 million. The area would develop 10 to 12 business sites and could create as many as 1,000 jobs.

Federal funds to help

Most projects would be funded by federal grants from the Airport Improvement Program.

For capital projects, the Federal Aviation Administration would issue a grant covering up to 95 percent of the cost. The runway project falls under that category.

Another source of funding would be the ''passenger facility charge'' and could be used only to pay for capital improvements. An additional $4.25 passenger fee was started with the STAR project and will remain indefinitely. This fund will be used to make up the remaining 5 percent of the cost of Airport Improvement Program projects.

The ticket wing expansion also is to be funded through the passenger facility charge.

 

Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or 800-777-7232 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.

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