Increased ridership sometimes leads to overcrowding in the waiting area at the Durango-La Plata County Airport. A temporary structure has helped ease the situation for now, but elected officials are considering a major terminal expansion.
Increased ridership sometimes leads to overcrowding in the waiting area at the Durango-La Plata County Airport. A temporary structure has helped ease the situation for now, but elected officials are considering a major terminal expansion.Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file photo

The two elected boards postponed giving consultants direction about which airport alternative to research further to gather more public input.

The option that has been talked about the most in recent meetings is an $85 million plan to build a new terminal and parking on the east side of the runway.

Officials also considered a plan to remodel the existing terminal for $83 million in the first phase.

Another option would be to build a new terminal next to the existing one for $79 million in the first phase.

The city will be presenting these options and the rationale consultants recommend moving the terminal to the east side, said Sherri Dugdale, assistant to the city manager.

Officials are not necessarily looking for residents to comment on what option they prefer.

“We have no preconceived notions about what those comments should or should not be,” Dugdale said. “This is just one more way that the public can provide input.”

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If you go

Two meetings have been scheduled to solicit public comment about a proposed airport expansion:
The first meeting with Durango city councilors will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Durango Public Library in Room 1.
The second meeting with La Plata County commissioners will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. March 3 at the La Plata County Courthouse.