Project Purpose
The Terminal Building at the Ketchikan International Airport was constructed in 1973. Since 2012, Ketchikan has experienced consistent growth, with 2019 passenger enplanements reaching over 137,000. Passenger access and demand is expected to increase to over 200,000 enplanements by 2038.
To address the congestion issues resulting from the rapid growth of the airport’s traffic, the Borough contracted with Mead & Hunt, Inc. in 2019 to conduct a Terminal Area Plan. The Assembly formally adopted the Terminal Area Plan at its March 7, 2022, meeting.
According to the Terminal Area Plan (TAP), the airport terminal building should be twice its size to accommodate 2019 passenger levels. The security-screening checkpoint is undersized and poorly configured, and the terminal and apron have numerous cross flow circulation issues that are a potential safety hazard for passengers. There are also safety hazards related to passengers ground boarding aircraft on the apron.
In January 2022, staff issued a Request for Proposals for Design and Engineering of Phase A of the Terminal Area Expansion. Phase A of the terminal expansion is the first of three phases and is expected to correct the majority of near-term growth issues by increasing the size of the terminal from 30,419 square feet to approximately 56,000 square feet.
On June 20, 2022, the Assembly awarded a contract to Mead & Hunt, Inc. for the Concept Design and Budget Report Services (CBR) for Phase A. The CBR was completed in October 2023 and identified the preferred concept as well as an updated financial analysis. The proposed funding for the estimated $42,600,000 Phase A Terminal Expansion project is anticipated from three primary sources:
$31,800,000 Federal Airport Improvement Funds
$5,300,000 PFC Bond Capital
$5,500,000 Local Airport Cash Reserves
On January 2, 2024, the KGB executed a contract with Mead & Hunt, Inc. for the Phase A Terminal Expansion Architect & Engineering services. This contract will produce construction ready documents scheduled to be completed in December 2024 with construction to follow soon after.
In March 2024, Mead & Hunt, Inc. returned to Ketchikan to present the schematic design phase of the design project. Meetings were held on- site with Airport staff met on-site with airport staff with the primary objective of finalizing the site plan layout during the construction phase. The expansion project will require contractor access within the active secured commercial aircraft ramp area as well as relocating the existing aircraft hardstands. Items discussed included, temporary passenger boarding access, relocating Alaska Airlines Cargo loading/unloading operations, contractor work zones within the secured area, off-site contractor staging areas, security access requirements, and other security related topics. The afternoon of March 26th, the design team met with Borough management and presented the final schematic design.
On March 27, 2024, the team held a workshop at the airport and discussed different components of the project including, sustainability goals, mechanical and electrical systems, interior finishes, building envelope systems, baggage handling equipment and a variety of other topics. Information gathered will be used as we move through the Design Development phase. A presentation was made at the June 17, 2024, Assembly meeting.
