The cost of a new terminal at the Myrtle Beach International Airport may be coming down to earth after climbing for a year.
Contractors cut costs to an estimated $219 million last week and have been ordered to deliver County Council a $200 million plan, which could be completed within a few days.
The stripped-down $200 million plan was requested by Councilman Howard Barnard to give an idea of what the terminal would look like at council's ideal cost. Originally, council ordered a $187 million terminal but Barnard said rising costs of steel and concrete might make that price unrealistic.
Last month, contractors released a $253 million figure based on plans that are only 35 percent complete.
"When you design things, you need to tell the designers what your budget is," Barnard said. "I think with all these talented engineers that we have, if we do some out-of-the-box thinking, we may very well be able to build an airport that we are proud of."
The new design was supposed to be unveiled Tuesday night during council's regular meeting but was not ready.
Council Chairwoman Liz Gilland said she is concerned a $200 million plan would strip too much from the airport.
"We are only going to build one new terminal in this county, as far as I can see, and we want something that is not simply functional but something we can be proud of," she said.
Gilland said she does not know what a reasonable cost is for the terminal at this point but costs can "easily hit $250 million without any extravagance at all."
There is $120 million available in local funding, which includes $70 million in county bonds and money from a variety of sources including airport coffers, the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority and a settlement with the city of Myrtle Beach on airport funds.
The county is hoping to close the funding gap between with federal grants and federal funding that could come through this fall.
Councilman Mark Lazarus said the new cost figures are a good sign.
"I think we are starting to get back on track," he said.
Lazarus, who has been closely involved with the terminal, criticized the lack of progress on the project last month.
The contractors are working daily to shave costs from the project, he said.
On Tuesday, the council - at Barnard's urging - agreed to look for an outside consultant to review the terminal project and airport management.
Lazarus and Barnard said such efficiency studies have successfully improved the county's solid-waste operation and the Myrtle Beach Area Regional Development Corp.
"I think a management inspection would be very helpful," Barnard said. "It may tell us that we are doing everything superbly ... but it may also show some areas that we could do better."
Last week, council adjourned abruptly after several members attempted to call a private meeting to discuss employee issues at the airport. The move was thwarted because Airport Director Bob Kemp requested all discussion of him be held in public.
Barnard said the review is not aimed at Kemp, who carries the responsibility of overseeing the terminal project.
"We need to continue to allow Kemp to work this process," he said.
"Never has his job been in jeopardy with Howard Barnard."
