The Stinson Municipal Airport expansion, while slightly behind schedule because of weather setbacks, could be finished later this year, said Tim O'Krongley, the assistant aviation director at San Antonio International Airport.
O'Krongley worked as the Stinson Airport manager for nine years before being promoted last year.
The $4.8 million project will add two, two-story wings to the current terminal, increasing space by 22,582 square feet, according to City Council documents and previous news reports. The new space will house classrooms, offices and retail businesses, O'Krongley said. The Stinson Airfield Patio Café also will relocate to the new space, he said.
"Right now, it's almost saturated," O'Krongley said about the space at Stinson. "There's a waiting list for the T-hangars. We have absolutely no office space or any kind of space for office buildings. Projected and current demands are putting a lot of pressure (on the airport) to develop."
The current renovations began in summer 2006 and were scheduled to be completed in about 14 months, O'Krongley said. Private investment also is under way, with the possible construction of new hangars, he added.
Stinson Municipal Airport is a general aviation reliever for the San Antonio International Airport and the second-oldest city airport in continuous operation, according to the city's Web site. It all began when the Stinson family -- sisters Marjorie and Katherine -- relocated a flying school to the South Side from Fort Sam Houston in 1915, the site said.
Wejay S. Bundara founded the Stinson Aviation Corporation at the airport in 1995. He sold the aircraft storage business last year but remains on the company's board of directors.
