He said the renovations also create one more ticket-counter area, making a more attractive rental space for any new airline interested in serving DRO.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt provides a platform for a turnkey operation to better recruit air service,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The remodel will be paid for by the airlines through fees assessed to passengers and rent paid by the TSA.<\/p>\n
\u201cPassengers won\u2019t see a dramatic difference, but this will provide a more efficient space for airline operations and increase baggage capacity,\u201d Vicari said.<\/p>\n
The automated baggage conveyor system will eliminate much of the physical exertion required by airline and TSA employees and make a more comfortable work environment.<\/p>\n \u201cThe new baggage-handling facility allowed us to separate office functions from a garage. We were both undersized and had conflicting uses. We had offices that had to deal with noise and exhaust issues,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The remodeled offices, at 3,500 square feet, will be three times the size of the old office space, accomplished by moving baggage operations and the garage to the new, prefabricated building.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll have a joint-use break room. We never had that before. The airlines had small refrigerators and self-provided appliances, some microwaves in offices. There was no running water,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The new office space will allow for segregated uses like supervisory offices and training rooms.<\/p>\n Looking ahead to future improvements, a public workshop to examine the airport\u2019s Terminal Area Plan Study will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 14 in Durango City Council chambers to allow comments on several options to renovate the terminal, built in 1988.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will provide a first look at conceptual alternatives to the long-term development of the terminal,\u201d Vicari said. \u201cThe public comments will help guide us in long-term development and help reassess our long-term planning. The public can study conceptual designs and make comments on them.\u201d<\/p>\n Vicari said making occasional terminal improvements financed by airport operations, like the current project, is one of the models examined for moving forward to improve the aging structure.<\/p>\n Alternatives to making terminal upgrades have been sought since voters in November 2016 defeated a proposal to issue $40.4 million in bonds to build a new terminal. The measure was rejected by a wide margin \u2013 18,541 to 11,556.<\/p>\n Next up on the list for improvements is upgrades to restrooms.<\/p>\n \u201cThey need touching up. They have a dated look, like from 1988,\u201d Vicari said.<\/p>\n