Harrisburg Marketing Its Old Terminal

The Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority is trying once more to find a new use for the former terminal at Harrisburg International Airport.

The authority, which owns HIA, approved an agreement yesterday with NAI/CIR, a commercial real estate firm in Wormleysburg, to start marketing the old terminal for lease, beginning this month.

NAI/CIR will have about four months to seek tenants. If leases cannot be secured, it appears likely that the old terminal will be demolished.

The former terminal, built in 1986, was replaced in 2004 by a new $240 million terminal. Since then, the authority has worked with development firms and, over the last year, with the Capital Region Economic Development Corp. to find new users. NAI/CIR is the only firm that responded to a proposal put together by CREDC.

The authority so far has committed $2,000 toward the leasing campaign, which is to cost no more than $8,500. Any money spent by the authority is to be returned by NAI/CIR if the firm can attract tenants. NAI/CIR would be the listing agency for the old terminal.

HIA officials say the old terminal cannot be sold. Any tenants identified through the search will be subject to authority approval, and not just any use will be permitted.

"I think it is essential that this is an aviation-related use. A use that could equally be housed off the airport is not a valid use. We will not get that apron space back," authority member Eric Clancy said.

Authority member Fred Sembach agreed, adding that he hopes the building does not have to be torn down.

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