Soon, this notice above will be a thing of the past.
The three-month-long project that closed a long-term parking lot at Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) is nearing completion. The repaving project began in August and removed 350 parking spots from service. Things will improve and expand in time for the busy holiday season.
Members of the Aviation Commission were updated by Elizabeth Giles, the airport’s Senior Construction Project Manager.
“I want to thank Ken (Hinkle, director of Aviation Services) and all staff for coming together and making a hard situation go as smoothly as possible,” said Giles. “When we reduce parking by over 300 spaces, obviously it can be a logistical nightmare, but the good news is we are doing the final paving, on that is now scheduled for Monday night. Then we will go into striping and the last details.”
Heading into the project and its temporary loss of hundreds of parking spaces, the airport launched a media blitz. It included a pop-up advisory posted to the airport’s website, advising flyers what to expect.
“I will say kudos to our customers as well, because I think everybody’s been remarkably patient,” Giles told ABD. “Our staff has done a wonderful job of finding overflow spaces and increasing the signage and the communication. It’s had moments of chaos here or there, but for the most part, everybody finds a place. They get in on time. They’re able to make their flights.”
Once completed, the project will restore the 350 parking spaces, while also creating an additional 50 spaces. Welcome news for travelers heading into the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season.
“We will be open for that. There is no goal. We will be open for that,” Giles emphasized. “We will be back with the open spaces. Then from there, we’re going right into an expansion project that’s going to give us around 150 more spaces, but that will have no impact on parking while that’s in construction.
Commissioners were also updated on the status of the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) grant.
Members of the Augusta Aviation Commission learned more about an $800,000 federal grant the airport received. The grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation specifies the funds are to be “used for a revenue guarantee and marketing program for new nonstop service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).”
Diane Johnston, director of Business Development at the airport, said the application has been approved by the mayor, and the aviation commission must give final approval to its submission.
The federal grant includes a requirement for matching funds, either monetary or in-kind contributions. The local share totals $370,000, with the airport providing $100,000.
“The airport, as you know, is not allowed to provide actual funding for any of this stuff,” Johnston explained. “So, our share is in-kind, and that would be a waiver on the rents for the trips, waiver on landing fees for the trips. The other amounts are from Augusta-Richmond County, which has agreed to provide funding if we’re successful in getting the service.”
Commissioners unanimously approved moving forward with the application.
This marked Johnston’s final official project at AGS as she prepares to retire.
“Diane has been here for over two decades, and she has been integral in the operations of the airport,” said executive director Herbert Judon, Jr. “She has seen the airport grow and evolve, and she’s been a big part of that. We just wanted to take an opportunity for us as a collective group to celebrate Diane and to wish her Godspeed.”
