Redmond Airport scales back expansion
2 fewer gates will save $600K, and they could be added later
Published: November 13. 2008 4:00AM PST
The Redmond Airport expansion will be a bit smaller than planned.
To keep the project on budget, Carrie Novick, the airport manager, reduced the number of boarding gates from eight to six. The move will save about $600,000 on the $40 million project.
The Redmond City Council, which did not order the change, approved the move Wednesday night.
Novick said reducing the number of gates was possible because of changes in the airline industry.
“Traffic is lower, and looking into the future with larger aircraft coming in and out, we could make this change,” Novick said, and added that even though fewer flights may arrive and depart, larger aircraft will allow for about the same number of passengers to travel.
The changes were not driven by other financial struggles around the city.
Redmond had planned to pay for about half of the airport expansion with revenue bonds, but it may be unable to sell those because of the economic crisis. To keep the project moving, the city delayed construction of the new City Hall and public works building, for which it has saved about a combined $6 million. That money could now be loaned to the airport expansion.
The change will only affect the boarding area’s size, Novick said. The two gates could be added later.
Redmond Mayor-elect George Endicott said he was pleased with the changes Novick suggested, even if they weren’t directed by the council.
“That’s cool, and I appreciate her doing that,” Endicott said. “She’s the expert out there. She tracks what’s going on out there.”
Other changes approved include changing a blast wall from stainless steel to painted steel, at a savings of more than $26,000, according to a staff report. Novick — who made the changes with the contractor — also eliminated a $19,000 bronze ceiling fixture.
The cuts help pay for some additions to the plan, too. More electrical wiring and lighting will be installed along the aircraft ramp for almost $77,000. The report also calls for an additional fire hydrant and for moving another at a cost of almost $30,000.
Still, the overall cost drops about $600,000.
“I think you always look at what you’re doing and ask, ‘Is there a way to do just about the same thing and be able to reduce the cost of the building?’” Novick said.
Patrick Cliff can be reached at 541-633-2161 or at pcliff@bendbulletin.com.
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