Durango city councilors and La Plata County commissioners did not pick a plan for a new airport terminal Tuesday night opting instead to seek more public comment.
The two boards have been considering three options to expand or replace the Durango-La Plata County Airport terminal for months because the current facility is too small to serve the current number of passengers.
A majority of city councilors seemed poised to ask the consultants from Jviation to do further study on moving the terminal to the other side of the runway. While Commissioner Brad Blake was the only official from the county who was ready to do the same.
Commissioners Gwen Lachelt and Julie Westendorff were firm in their resolve to hold a public hearing before giving the consultants direction.
“From a public accountability standpoint, I feel it’s important to take public comment,” Westendorff said.
Some city councilors argued it would be better to give the consultant direction and allow the public to react to their choice for an airport terminal project.
“I like having clarity as to what they are reacting about,” said Councilor Dean Brookie.
Councilors did decide to hold a public hearing on the terminal decision.
However, most of the elected officials made their view known. Four of the five city councilors and two commissioners voiced support for building a new terminal on the east side of the runway.
Mayor Sweetie Marbury said she could not support moving the terminal because of the price tag, and Westendorff did not voice a clear view.
Officials also considered a plan to remodel the existing terminal for $83 million in the first phase. Another option would be to build a new terminal next to the existing one for $79 million in the first phase.
After feedback about the $119 million estimate for moving the terminal to the east side, consultants scaled back the project. Now, this optional terminal construction could cost between $80 and $90 million. The consultants cut the size of the building, the number of parking spaces and cut the jet bridges among other reductions.
The terminal initially would be built to serve the current level of traffic, said Dave Nafie, a planning manager for Jviation. As traffic increases, the terminal could be expanded.
These additions could be paid for through revenue generated by the airport. In addition, the current terminal could be converted in some way to help pay for the new airport terminal.
This initial construction could qualify for between $35 million to $40 million in funding from the Federal Aviation Administration, Nafie said.
It is likely that the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Transportation Security Administration might contribute funds to the project.
If voters approve a property-tax increase, property owners likely would pay under $80 annually toward the project.
For someone who owns a home in the $350,000 range, the tax increase could be between $36 to $54 a year, according to La Plata County projections.
Councilor Christina Rinderle and all the supporters of the terminal project argued the airport is an important economic driver and worth the investment.
The airport helps generate hundreds of millions in economic activity and supports about 2,600 local jobs, she said, citing a CDOT study.
“It’s a lot of bang for your buck for $35 a year,” she said.
Marbury expressed skepticism about the price tag and the amount of outreach consultants have done.
The consultants have not held any public meetings in Bayfield or Ignacio.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to go to the ballot in November,” she said.
Westendorff said she felt it would be premature to say whether a question would be on the ballot in November.
The commissioners will be holding a public hearing on the airport terminal expansion from 2 to 4 p.m. March 3 at the La Plata County Courthouse.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
