The Horry County Department of Airports is close to resolving a request for cost increases associated with the design of a new airport terminal, scheduled for completion by 2008.
Bill McKown, chairman of the Airport Advisory Committee, said the county has a good relationship with HNTB, the architectural consulting firm that signed a $7.895 million contract to design the project.
Two weeks ago, the county said HNTB had requested more money to complete the design because of additional time and work to make requested changes.
"We're still negotiating with them right now, but it's been very posi-
tive," McKown said Wednesday.
Committee member Perry Kent said some of the design modifications included lengthening the terminal building in three directions.
"Frankly, I am not at all surprised that HNTB wants more money," Kent said. "We have requested all these changes."
Kent said that changes might save money for the project and would not necessarily mean a more expensive terminal.
The county has approved a cap of $200 million for the project, which would double the size of the terminal to 14 gates. HNTB is to gather estimates for completion of 65 percent of the project, which represents the bulk of its cost. Once those estimates are presented to the project's builder, Skanska USA Building Inc., the county will receive a maximum guaranteed price for completion. That figure is expected in March.
"HNTB is a good partner, and I feel the negotiations between HNTB and the county will be resolved in a timely and efficient manner," McKown said. "If this project was going south, I'd be the first to bail out. I'd be the first to pull the plug on this, but that's not the case at all."
The county has received requests for proposals from companies interested in taking over the management of the general aviation facility at Myrtle Beach International Airport, which makes about $500,000 a year. If another company leases the facility, it would build hangar space that could generate more revenue.
The following companies have applied to manage the facility.
1 | Aviation Management Consulting Group/Corporate Wings, Richmond, Va.
3 | Signature Flight Support, Orlando, Fla.
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