Despite efforts to find an alternative use for the old airport terminal, it appears the building will be torn down later this month.
Airport and city officials are giving any interested party until March 15 to come forward for a use for the building, but in the meantime, the area is being prepared for demolition.
Aberdeen's Blackstone Developers had expressed interest in putting an express shipping company in the building, but Dave Osborn, city transportation director, said Blackstone was scared off by the rental rate of $5 per square foot annually.
The Federal Aviation Administration, which owns the building, required it to be leased for fair market value.
The tenant would also have to incur all costs of operating and repairing the building and would have to rent out all of the approximately 15,000 square feet.
"Blackstone felt they weren't able to pay that fee, so we're going to go forward with tearing it down," Osborn said.
Unless someone comes forward, the demolition will be done on March 20 by Dahme Construction of Aberdeen.
In other action at Thursday's airport board meeting:
The board approved paying for a sponsorship display board for the war memorial located on the airport grounds. Osborn said the cost will be no more than $250.
The board approved letting City Attorney Adam Altman look into ending an agreement with Skyway Communications, which currently rents one of the communication rooms at the airport. Osborn said Skyway is several months behind in its rent.
Osborn reported that the AmericInn has been sent a letter by the city attorney informing the hotel that it has $10,216.86 in outstanding bills. The bills come from a phone agreement the airport had with the hotel and convention center.
The board discussed what's currently being done with the airport's snack shop. The Passport Bar and Grill closed last month. Since then, a snack shop has been run by the city. Osborn said in the 15 days, the snack shop has lost money. "It's like any service," Osborn said. "If it's not being used, I'm not sure it's worth running."
The board approved changing a work order for the roof panels on the new snow removal equipment building because of an appearance issue. The difference in price will be about $8,000. The city will be responsible for 3 percent of that money. The board rejected a work order that would have upgraded the insulation in the building.
The board approved a travel request for Dave Osborn and Bob King to attend the 2006 Airport Conference on March 30-31 in Deadwood.
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