Airport to put latest funding from FAA toward a new passenger terminal
Texarkana Regional Airport will receive a $651,798 Federal Aviation Administration grant to help fund a new terminal.
The new terminal will be across the airport’s main runway from the current terminal, with a new entry off East 19th Street, said airport director Mark Mellinger.
The money was part of $4.4 million the FAA awarded to four airports Monday in Arkansas.
The taxiway will flank the entire length of the runway, and the overall appearance of the airport will be improved.
Earlier this month, the FAA announced the airport will receive almost $1 million in grant funding for its taxiway project.
“We just got the paperwork for
that, which is the next stage in the process. We are waiting for the paperwork on the terminal building grant,” Mellinger said.
The airport’s parking lot will also get an update.
“Right now, we are forecasting completing all the work in 2021. At that time, all the pieces will be done, taxiway, terminal and the parking lot,” Mellinger said.
FFA grants will fund 90 percent of the estimated $29.4 million project cost. The remaining 10 percent in matching funds will be provided by a combination of Arkansas Department of Aeronautics grants, the airport’s passenger facility charge of $4.50 per passenger and contributions from the cities of Texarkana, Texas, and Texarkana, Ark., according to information discussed at Texarkana Regional Airport Authority’s May meeting.
Mellinger, who spent 22 years as an officer in the Air Force Reserve and has 15 years experience in airport management, expects the airport board to discuss the terminal grant in August.
In a separate project, the airport is cleaning up the area around the former Air Force radar station on the grounds. Mellinger said the facilities will eventually be leased to businesses.
Reporter Greg Bischof contributed to this report.