Port OK’s $12M for airport projects

Ferndale firm will build new parking spaces

JOHN STARK

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BELLINGHAM — Port of Bellingham commissioners approved more than $12 million in airport improvement projects Tuesday.

The project with the greatest public impact is $2.4 million in parking lot expansion for passengers departing from Bellingham International Airport. That project will create 400 spaces at Airport Way and West Bakerview Road, while reconfiguring the existing main lot to add 300 spaces.

Friberg Construction Co. of Ferndale was the low bidder. Funds for the project were included in the port’s 2008 capital improvements budget. The port expects to recoup its costs via parking fees, and the new spaces should be ready by Dec. 1.

Commissioners also approved a $2.4 million contract with Tiger Construction Co. of Bellingham for construction of a new airport rescue and firefighting building. Port Aviation Director Art Choat said the new building will have three bays for airport emergency vehicles. The existing station has just one bay, and the Federal Aviation Administration has recommended that the port construct a bigger fire station in a less congested location, Choat said.

The FAA also will pay 95 percent of the project’s cost.

Construction of the new fire station will take about seven months. Choat said the project can’t begin until the city of Bellingham agrees to allow the new building to be hooked up to the city water system.

Frank Chmelik, the port’s attorney, said he was hopeful that the City Council would approve the connection in July.

The day’s biggest project was a $7.3 million paving contract awarded to Imco General Construction, the low bidder on extensive terminal apron and taxiway improvements, as well as an access road for the new fire station.

The FAA will pay 95 percent of the cost of the paving work.

The port’s 5 percent share of the cost of the fire station and paving work will be reimbursed from passenger facilities charges tacked onto airline tickets.