ARLINGTON — When Arlington Municipal Airport staff members move into their new digs next week, the airport’s manager and supervisor finally will have a decent view of the runways.
Begun in June, construction at the $1.2 million remodel and expansion of the airport offices is wrapping up this week.
“We have an emergency operations platform on the second story that will help us keep track of what’s happening on the airfield,” said Dale Carman, airport supervisor. “We’re very pleased, and we would not have been able to afford the project without the help of the state.”
About half the 8,800-square-foot building is to be leased to the state Department of Transportation’s aviation division.
The DOT aviation staff will move from a strip mall in Smokey Point to the airport by mid-December, state aviation director John Sibold said.
The state frequently holds up Arlington as the best example of a good municipal airport, Sibold said during a tour of the building Monday.
“Arlington has its act together and it makes sense for us to be here,” Sibold said. “We’re keeping costs down by sharing resources with the city’s airport staff. It was a natural move.”
Airport staff and the transportation department are set to share several common areas in the new building, including a reception area and a large community meeting room. Airport Commission meetings no longer will be scheduled across the street at Hadley Hall, Carman said.
Another highlight of the new airport office is the 24-hour pilots lounge, complete with recliners, a TV, vending machines, a weather center and a desk.
“We’re getting more corporate traffic, and these executives’ pilots need a place to relax and make their flight plans,” Carman said. “Our goal has been to live up to our slogan, and this expansion makes it possible for us to truly call Arlington a premiere general aviation airport.”
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427, gfiege@heraldnet.com.
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