Maj. Dan Rooney had a simple but vital message to share with sponsors and students of Big Brothers Big Sisters during their annual dinner Thursday night.Do good for others and you’re also doing good for yourself.Five projects to enhance passenger comfort and convenience and provide for improved aircraft services are set to be completed this year at Fort Wayne International and Smith Field airports.
Members of the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority Board of Directors heard a detailed presentation Monday from Craig Williams, the airport’s director of operations and facilities.
The projects are:
•Fort Wayne International Airport remodeling:First and second floors; family welcome center, new digital flight information panels, improved business section with new seating wired for wireless connections; children’s play area; new baggage lift; enhanced security.
Cost: $193,000. Local funding
Construction timeline: Now through May
•Fort Wayne International jet bridges: Install permanent heating and air conditioning units in place of auxiliary power units.
Cost: $1 million. About 90 percent federal, 2.5 percent state and 7.5 percent local funding
Timeline: April through June
•Revamping the rental vehicle parking lots at Fort Wayne International: Will consolidate parking areas and provide covered and quick access to rentals. The new exit will lead to Ferguson Road instead of Ross Drive, as it now does.
Cost: Estimates not yet received. Local funding
Timeline: June through December
•New access road on the west side of Fort Wayne International: Will eliminate the need for traffic, such as fuel trucks, to use Smith Road, Williams said.
Cost: Estimate not yet received. About 60 percent federal, 38 percent state and 2.5 percent local funding.
Timeline: July through December
•Smith Field: New, enhanced airport service center responsible for aircraft services, such as passenger handling, aircraft fueling and maintenance will be added in the building
Cost: $475,000. Local funding
Timeline: Now through June
