Ohio University Breaks Ground for Airport Enhancements
Contact: Assistant Vice President for External Relations Pam Parker, (740) 593-1244, or Media Specialist Jack Jeffery, (740) 597-1793 or jefferyj@ohio.edu
Editors: Photo information follows the text of this release.
ATHENS, Ohio (June 18, 2001) -- A groundbreaking event was held today for two improvement projects that will help make the Ohio University Airport a gateway to the rest of the state and the nation for southeastern Ohio. Ground was ceremoniously broken for a project to extend the runway from 4,200 feet to 5,600 feet and to construct a modern terminal.
The improvements will allow larger aircraft, such as commuter planes and corporate jets, to use the airport and open the possibility of a commuter airline being based in southeastern Ohio. Currently, there are no runways of 5,000 feet or more in the 29 Appalachian Ohio counties. The project will increase economic development opportunities in the region by providing access for businesses to grow and expand.
"The university's vision encompasses the entire region Š I feel that what's good for southeastern Ohio is good for Ohio University. We're working together to build a promising future," Ohio University President Robert Glidden said. "This is a testament to what can happen when various levels of government and private partnerships work together for the common good."
A small jet can reduce the time between the airport and Cleveland to a little more than 30 minutes, or roughly the time it takes to drive from Athens to Logan. The improved airport is expected to be used by tourists, businesses, and Ohio University students, employees, alumni and parents.
"This is a major building block for economic development and expansion in the region," U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland said. " This project will make it more possible for families in the region to have success and opportunities."
Also speaking at the press conference were James Opatrny, assistant manager of the Detroit Airports District Office for the Federal Aviation Administration, and Jesse White, federal co-chairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission. Area business, government and development officials, including the mayor of Albany and commissioners from Athens, Meigs and Vinton counties, were on hand for the ceremony.
The university has been awarded more than $5 million from the Federal Aviation Administration to extend the existing runway, including the design of the runway, acquisition of 14 acres of land, lengthening the parallel taxiway, moving and installing a new instrument landing system and rerouting the adjacent Columbia Township road to allow for the runway protection zone. The runway project is scheduled to be completed in September 2002.
The 6,500-square-foot terminal will be named the C. David Snyder Terminal and the runway Snyder Field in recognition of Snyder, who donated half of the $1.5 million to construct the terminal. Snyder is chairman and CEO of Brulant Inc. and Snyder International Brewing Group in Cleveland. The name of the airport will remain the Ohio University Gordon K. Bush Regional Airport.
"We need to have a long view of what's going on in the region and a key to success is getting increased access to the region," Snyder said. "People will find out what I've come to discover over the past 30 years: that there are great people and a great university down here and, to preserve them, we need economic balance."
The terminal, which is almost three times larger than the existing structure, is scheduled to be completed in January 2002. Among features of the terminal will be a larger passenger waiting area, new weather station room, pilot lounge and overnight room, commuter airline space, rental car space and meeting facilities.
A survey has been distributed and data are being compiled in the effort to attract a commuter airline to the airport.
In addition, the extended runway will better support the university's nationally-recognized aviation training program and the Avionics Engineering Center, which conducts research for the Federal Aviation Administration, NASA, the Department of Defense and private companies. The center receives approximately 50 contracts and grants annually.
