"Major San Antonio airport expansion plans taking wing"

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Major airport expansion plans taking wing 
By Patrick Driscoll
The San Antonio (TX) Express-News


City Council members got a look at plans Wednesday to expand San Antonio
International Airport, and some wondered if it would be enough. 

"The city is growing unbelievably quickly," Councilman Roger Flores said. 

The city will spend $425 million over six years to build two terminals, raze
an old terminal, add another parking garage, extend an elevated roadway and
upgrade runways. 

When finished, the airport will have three commercial jet runways to handle
30 percent more flights, enough parking for 50 percent more cars and up to
10 more passenger gates for a total of 34. 

"Are we prepared with this plan?" asked Councilman Chip Haass. 

The airport master plan calls for a fourth runway and another terminal, with
20 to 30 gates, when needed. And city staff will soon update that plan. 

"It's a document that needs to reflect current things in San Antonio," said
Mark Webb, interim airport director. 

City Manager Sheryl Sculley said she wants to shift thinking about the
airport to focus more on making it an attractive gateway to the city and on
working with aerospace firms to spark economic opportunities. 

Council members also raised concerns about inflation and staying within
budget. 

"What costs a dollar today is not going to cost a dollar tomorrow,"
Councilman Kevin Wolff said. 

Sculley said staff is committed to staying within budget, even if that means
scaling projects back some, though within reason. However, any cost
increases will be brought back to the council. 

"If we need to do it, then let's have a full public discussion and move
forward," she said. 

Work began in September to start moving utilities. Construction to extend
the elevated roadway is expected to start in February and last almost two
years. 

Crews will start work on a terminal and parking garage in May and August
respectively and finish by mid-2008. Then workers will demolish the
airport's oldest terminal to make room for another new terminal. 

Council members were excited and said the expenditures are justified. 

"It should say San Antonio, it should say South Texas, it should be
beautiful," Mayor Phil Hardberger said.


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