New Passenger Terminal Groundbreaking
Posted on 04/11/2023
The City of Cape Girardeau broke ground on a new Passenger Terminal Building at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport (CGI) Tuesday, April 11. The 20,000 square foot facility is the second of three major capital improvement projects to be completed utilizing federal and local funding. This project has been in development since 2019, with the completion of a Terminal Area Master Plan, which studied the facilities at CGI and determined a new passenger terminal building is necessary to support growing demand.
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The City included CGI in the 2019 Capital Improvement Sales Tax (CIST) renewal approved by Cape Girardeau citizens, which provided $4.25 million for airport improvements, including a new terminal. As a primary airport, the city was awarded Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Stimulus (CARES) Act funding in 2020. The new terminal will cost approximately $12,016,000, of which $10.3 million will be funded by CARES and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds; the remaining portion will be funded by CIST.
The current airport terminal, constructed in 1956, rehabilitated in 1993 and again in 2017 has served multiple air service providers and thousands of passengers during its 67 year life cycle. The new terminal facility will provide better passenger flow, access to restrooms and concessions beyond the security checkpoint, and better technology features for business travelers. It will include a private area to serve as a mother’s nursing room, a Service Animal Relief Area (SARA), and a sensory room. The new terminal will also include a future hold room as the airport continues to develop commercial air service.
“We are thrilled to finally begin construction on our new facility. The airport terminal is the gateway to the Southeast Missouri Region and will reflect where we have been in the past, while embracing where we are headed in this new era of commercial service at CGI. Our hope is the community will be proud of the new facility and utilize it for their travel needs for many years to come,” said airport manager, Katrina Amos.
The Basis of Design was developed by Burns and McDonnell, Inc., the City Owner’s Representative for the project in collaboration with City staff, airport tenants and stakeholders, Airport Advisory Board, and coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration.
"Burns & McDonnell is proud to work with the City of Cape Girardeau and our basis of design partner, Wellner Architects, on the new passenger terminal building at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport," says Jodi Cooper, program manager at Burns & McDonnell.
"We are honored to be a trusted partner serving as the City's owner representative providing insight and assistance to enhance the passenger experience and support the growth and success of the airport." The project will be completed as a design-build project with KCI Construction, Inc., who was unanimously recommended by the Airport Advisory Board and awarded the project by City Council December 2022. This project is expected to be completed by June 2024.
The KCI Construction Design-Build team added, “KCI Construction is pleased to bring their expert Design and Construction Team to Cape Girardeau for the new passenger terminal building project. This aviation venture will bring the community’s travel experience into the 21st century with enhanced security features, upgraded amenities, and convenience for the traveler. The Project Team is excited to be part of the community’s aviation legacy.”
The groundbreaking will be held at the site of the new terminal building, slightly north of the Air Traffic Control Tower. The public is invited to attend this momentous to reflect on the past and embrace the new era at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.