BHB Airport Terminal Building Renovation and Expansion Project
I am thrilled to be part of the design and construction of a terminal building expansion at BHB!
Our current terminal was built in 1976, before there was ever a concept of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration. Terminals are designed for peak hour performance and our current building is sorely under capacity (see the photo below of the terminal during the summer). The screening area is tiny, requiring two separate groups of passengers to go through for one flight. The current space is not being optimized and the floor plan does not facilitate intuitive ease and flow of movement. It is also energy inefficient.
The cons are balanced by several pros: the air conditioning units were installed recently and have excess capacity; the roof was recently rebuilt and is very well insulated; the post-and-beam wood structure is still in good condition and makes remodeling much simpler since interior walls do not provide support to the building’s structure; the basement already has capacity for expansion of the HVAC system; and the front of the building can be easily and inexpensively modified for an instant “facelift”. And thus you have the beginning of our design process: fix the bad, build on the good.
Our team consists of Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, BHB’s consulting and engineering firm, Lewis + Malm Architecture out of Bucksport, Lanpher Associates mechanical engineering, and myself. At the start I outlined the project mission and design considerations:
Project Mission
Design a terminal building with separate airside and landside sections that effectively and intuitively directs passengers from the curbside to the aircraft comfortably and efficiently.
Design Considerations
- Development and sizing to accomplish the stated mission of the airport within the parameters defined in the 2011 Master Plan.
- Capability to meet the demands for the future.
- Functional, practical, and financial feasibility.
- Maximize the use of existing facilities.
- Achievement of a balanced flow between access, terminal, and airfield facilities during the peak hour.
- Consideration of environmental sensitivity.
- Continuity and harmony with existing architectural elements of the existing terminal complex and other airport structures (ARFF).
- Maintenance of existing terminal operation during all stages of construction.
We have done an excellent job keeping with these development goals so far. The expansion will double the size of the building, include a secure area with restrooms, be easily expandable should future development be necessary, be logical and intuitive for passenger wayfinding, increase the efficiency and use of the existing building, include several areas for increased airport revenue generation, fit with the architecture of the ARFF building to give a campus feel, and, very importantly, accomplish all of this within our budget in a way that does not burden the tax payers and leaves the County totally debt-free. Our project budget is $2.5 million dollars. The breakdown of funding is complicated based on eligible and ineligible portions of the building. FAA will fund about 88%, Maine DOT 5%, and the County’s Airport fund 7%. FAA requires the building be built to high standards and I fully expect this terminal will serve our community for another 30+ years.
Construction is scheduled for 15-18 months and slated to begin this summer. We look forward to a grand opening in 2014!
Hancock County – Bar Harbor Airport’s Airport Master Plan (AMP) Update includes the following key objectives:
- Present a flexible plan for the Airport that considers economic development taking place within the local community, as well as fiscal and environmental constraints.
- Provide a comprehensive update of the Airport’s existing AMP and plan set graphics to reflect Objective #1.
- Develop a comprehensive business plan for the airport.
- Provide a public forum for the discussion of the Airport’s role that includes a diverse mix of public, private, aviation and non-aviation perspectives.
Click here to open the PDF document.
More information on the current AMP can be requested from the airport manager.
|
