Project cost jumps $10M at airport
Laura Sturza
Authorities at the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport are finding
that security -- the 40,000-square-foot security project, to be exact
-- isn’t cheap.
The project, projected to cost $24 million, will cost closer to
$34 million, airport officials said this week.
Construction of the security addition’s exterior shell started in
September and includes space for baggage-screening equipment, holding
rooms, security personnel and an expanded baggag- check area. Because
the airport aimed to provide space to meet federal deadlines for
screening all checked bags by Dec. 31 -- which it did -- the project
moved quickly, before detailed plans for the rest of the interior
were complete.
“There have been over 300 change orders necessary to do the work
because so much of the work was not designed,” Airport Authority
spokesman Victor Gill said.
The Airport Authority announced Monday that construction of the
interior -- including mechanical, plumbing, electrical and
communications systems -- will account for the higher costs.
Financing for the project is coming from the airport’s $3
passenger facility charge, which will cover $17.5 million, or half,
of the cost. Federal grants of $2.5 million have been secured, with
another $3 million pending. Airport reserve funds -- totaling about
$50 million -- will cover the remaining $11 million.
Controversy dogged the airport’s proposal, with the city and
residents questioning the need for so much added space. But the city
signed off on all of the changes, making sure they were needed for
either federal security requirements or to meet city building codes,
Community Development Director Sue Georgino said.
“Widened hallways [might be] more comfortable, but are also still
necessary for evacuation,” Georgino said.
The Airport Authority, at its meeting Monday, approved a $150,000
contract to review overall security measures at the airport. It will
take several months to complete.
The entire project is expected to be completed by April 2004.