City to look at plans for new airport terminal

Aug. 30--ARLINGTON -- City officials hope to begin a design plan for a new terminal at the Arlington Municipal Airport in December or January, they said Wednesday.

The Texas Transportation Commission awarded the airport about $600,000 this month toward the design and construction of a terminal and parking lot.

The city must provide a matching grant.

The city's portion will come from gas-well and bond money, but the amount could increase depending on what the City Council wants for the terminal and what designers say is needed, airport Manager Bob Porter said. The total cost could be $2 million to $4 million, he said. The city would pay the difference.

The terminal could include a bigger lobby and meeting areas, officials said. The current terminal would be demolished, Porter said.

The council will have final say on the design, Porter said.

Mayor Pro Tem Ron Wright, who has been an advocate of the airport's development, said he is excited to see work on the new terminal begin.

The Texas Department of Transportation "has been aware of the implications of the [Cowboys] stadium and the fact that Arlington is already the number one reliever airport in North Texas and is destined for more growth," he said.

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sclaunch@star-telegram.com

Sally Claunch, 817-548-5566

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