With sledgehammers swinging, the $180 million Redmond Municipal Airport terminal expansion gets underway
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Sledgehammers were the tool of the day Wednesday as the Redmond Municipal Airport officially broke ground, demolition-style, on its $180 million terminal expansion project.
There were about 20 people in attendance, including Mayor Ed Fitch and the granddaughter of J.R. Roberts, a former Redmond mayor and namesake of the airport, also known as Roberts Field.
Redmond's airport has seen passengers traveling through the greater Central Oregon region double in number over recent years. In response to this growing tourism, Redmond Airport developed the 2021 Terminal Area Concept Plan to address the increased demand. The main focus to improve ADA accessibility, operational efficiency, and terminal capacity while bringing economic benefits to the region.
"In general, the airport is a huge economic driver," said Airport Director Zachary Bass.
He said almost 70% of the construction work will stay local, through a local subcontractor, "so we're going to see a boom just for the construction.
"But with the growth, we're also expecting another 107 full-time jobs as we kind of grow out to the building and its size," he said. "And then of course, hopefully more airlines, more aircraft, larger aircraft, more destinations, more frequencies to allow for that ease of travel for our customers."
The project will add more than 80,000 square feet of new space, including seven new jet bridges and expanded waiting areas, plus more than 6,000 square feet of new concessions and double the amount of terminal seating. The project is expected to last about two years.
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