Construction on the new $35.4 million San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport terminal building was almost halfway done a year after officials first broke ground.
Workers were getting the roof put on the facility, actually two separate buildings, with a secure courtyard connection, just in time for Airport Day 2016.
It was a good thing too, because unlike last year, the heavens opened up for the Oct. 15 special event and soaked folks that had come out to see the planes and CalFire equipment on display.
Earlier in the week, Assistant Airport Director Craig Piper gave a tour to the SLO City News of some of the areas the general public will not get to see for another year.
Piper marked his 15th year at the airport recently but plans for the new facility had been knocked around for 17 years. Repeatedly put off and shelved entirely in the 2008 recession. Roadwork and aircraft parking were installed in 2009 however, meaning that the latest redesign of the terminal had to fit in the footprint of what had gone before.
One thing staffers are looking forward to the most is brand new office space. At least five more employees have joined the temporary office space that was erected in 2002, meaning they’ve shared “temporary” accommodations for 14 years.
When finished the interior of the terminal will much more closely resemble the space travelers expect when arriving at a big city destination – albeit miniaturized.
No motorized walkways, but the baggage check in, TSA screening, Airline and rental car desks will all be housed in the same hall, which has nearly four times the interior space of the current nearly 60 year old terminal.
Features of the LEED silver design – although they’re not seeking certification – include a wiring bay that could accommodate solar power in the future and large banks of northwesterly facing picture windows on the curb facing side.
Last minute changes include a nursing room for traveling mothers, now mandated by federal regulations.
In order to save on constructions costs, the secured arrival and departure gates are separated from the chick in and baggage claim areas by a courtyard that includes rocks placed to resemble the Seven –Sisters volcanic range in miniature and planters instead of water features.
