Friday, February 7, 2003 Airport seeks more funding from TSA By TERRI LANGFORD The Dallas (TX) Morning News Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is a little closer to having its portion of a $232 million automated baggage screening system financed by the federal government. The D/FW Airport Board of Directors approved a memo of agreement Thursday that would have the Transportation Security Administration reimbursing the airport for its $145 million contribution toward the project between now and 2005, if Congress approves financing for the system. The TSA, which already is paying for $87 million of the system, expects to sign the memo within a few days. "TSA has received the agreement as approved by the D/FW International board this morning," said Ed Martelle, a TSA spokesman. "Our attorneys are giving it one last look to make sure the i's are dotted and t's are crossed. We could have a signed agreement as early as tomorrow." Then comes the tough part: making sure Congress gives the TSA enough money to repay airports. D/FW Airport is one of many airports asking the federal government to fund systems that will allow airports to hide baggage-screening machines behind ticket counters and out of the way of passengers. The airport will pay the $145 million in construction and infrastructure costs to make room for the new baggage system by using passenger fees, revenue bonds or a combination of both financing tools. They agreement says the TSA will go to Congress to ask for money to reimburse D/FW Airport. "We're hopeful that Congress will see the issue for what it is: It's a national issue," said Jeffrey Fegan, D/FW Airport's chief executive officer. To make room for the machines and conveyor belts needed in such a system, the airport expects to build either a one or two-story addition at Terminals B and E. The board is expected to consider later whether the airport will spend an extra $25 million on two-story additions. The thinking is that if two stories are built, the airport can recoup some of the investment by leasing out more concession space. Passenger traffic has not returned to pre-Sept. 11, 2001, levels. Because of this, parking revenue has fallen, forcing the airport board to reduce its annual budget by $11.4 million, to $317 million. A hiring freeze will assist some cuts. About 200 jobs will remain unfilled, saving about $4.1 million. Officials will determine later how to make up the rest of the shortfall. Mr. Fegan said the cuts will not affect passenger service, and at this time, none of the 1,800 employees will be laid off. Also Thursday, Dallas Mayor Laura Mayor nominated a new slate of officers for the D/FW Airport Board of Directors: Max Wells as chairman, Santiago Salinas as vice chairman and Pamela Dunlop Gates as secretary. The board approved the officers unanimously. The D/FW Airport Board has 11 voting members. Seven represent Dallas and four represent the Fort Worth. A 12th, nonvoting member represents, on a rotating basis, each of D/FW Airport's neighboring cities of Irving, Grapevine, Euless and Coppell. Attached Photo: D/FW Airport is asking the federal government to fund systems that will allow airports to hide baggage-screening machines.
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