Dec. 16--The main architect to design Charleston International Airport's terminal expansion won't come from Charleston. Or South Carolina.
Charleston County Aviation Authority voted 8-4 Thursday to select Fentress Architects of Denver to design the proposed $150 million airport makeover.
The company will use the local expertise of Watson Tate Savory Liollio Architecture of Charleston and other local and regional companies to expand the two concourses, add a new baggage carousel and make other improvements to the 26-year-old passenger terminal starting late next year. The changes are necessary to meet growing demand.
"It's a great opportunity to create a new gateway for Charleston," said Curt Fentress, president of Fentress Architects. "The airport is the first thing people see when they arrive and the last thing they see in a city when they leave. We can bring it into the 21st century in a way that will make everyone proud of the airport."
A representative of the local firm working with Fentress was ecstatic over the board's selection. "What a wonderful opportunity to continue our engagement in the community," said architect Dinos Liollio
Those voting against the terminal redevelopment committee's unanimous recommendation preferred a lead local company to keep the money in the Lowcountry.
"We should give preferential treatment to a local architect," authority board member Andy Savage said.
Chip Limehouse, the board's chairman, said the terminal redevelopment committee met with all six finalists and decided Fentress was the top choice. "There was a lot of discussion on this," he said.
The company that will manage the project said Fentress presented the best choice for taking the terminal building to a higher level and making it "a great airport."
"The firm had a good sense about the Lowcountry," said George Perinis, senior vice president at Michael Baker Inc., "They seemed to understand where money could be saved and spent."
Fentress previous airport projects include work at Raleigh-Durham; San Jose and Sacramento, Calif.; Seattle; and Denver.
Airport officials will negotiate a contract with Fentress and hopes to award it in January, said Sue Stevens, director of airports for Charleston County. The airport expects to name a building contractor for the project in March. The first evidence of any changes will involve expanding the aircraft parking apron next summer. That has to be done before the concourse extension work can begin.
Copyright 2011 - The Post and Courier, Charleston, S.C.
