By the end of 2012, more than $15 million will have been spent on improvements to Albany International Airport after a year of construction projects. “We are constantly looking at innovative systems and procedures to improve our passengers’ experience and to introduce operational efficiencies at the airport,” said David E. Langdon, chairman of the Albany County Airport Authority. One project already underway is replacement of the terminal’s entire terrazzo floor, including the ticketing area and baggage claim area. With a $800,000 price tag attached, the renovation effort began in early February and will take about three months to complete. “There’s a number of temporary walls up in the terminal to direct people around it as they do the work. The work is done at night,” said Doug Myers, airport spokesperson. Terrazzo is a liquid that’s spread out on the concrete floor about one quarter to one half an inch thick. After it hardens, it’s polished to a shiny finish. The terrazzo comes in different colors and designs and has little stones in it. “What has happened in many places is it started to not adhere to the concrete beneath the floor and we’re seeing little pockets of it, little bulges,” said Myers. The floor hasn’t been replaced since the terminal opened 14 years ago, so this fresh finish will bind the terrazzo to the floor stronger than before. “It’s the right time to do it; a cosmetic thing that has to be done. It’s like painting your house, you don’t want to get behind,” said Myers. Another project set to get underway later this year is a phased program to replace all the lights in the terminal with cost efficient LED lighting. The airport’s annual power bill is $2.7 million, the equivalent of more than 1,300 homes, but the LED lights are expected to cut that cost by about $300,000 each year. “Some of theses lamps use 70 percent less energy than existing lamps,” said Myers, adding the airport currently uses incandescent and fluorescent lights. Myers said the airport has been mulling a switch to LED for years.
“The technology changes so rapidly and prices come down so quickly that we decided to wait until there was a period we thought was just the right time to move; when it made good sense and savings would be there,” said Myers. Work will start on the third level of the terminal in the art department area and continue throughout the year. Each light fixture needs to be analyzed and it determined if replacement or rewiring is the way to go. “It’s not something you do right away but we anticipate a tremendous payback,” said Myers. The LED bulbs will last seven to 10 years and save the airport maintenance time and costs.
The largest project planned is a $4.2 million expansion of the aircraft maintenance hangar that will double its size. There will also be 625,300 square feet of terminal aircraft ramp replaced with new asphalt and access roads added in remote areas of the airport. “In an emergency, heavy equipment can get to the scene,” said Myers.
Other projects on the yearlong construction list include upgrading the airfield electrical supply and emergency generator, purchase of additional snow fighting equipment, installation of an electronic baggage system to support TSA baggage screening, construction of a 3.5 million gallon holding tank for glycol collection and disposal, construction of an 80- by 120-foot airfield storage building, improvements to the E-Lot parking toll plaza, replacement of terminal chairs and carpeting, replacement of the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting headquarters roof and replacement of windows, heating system, entrance and façade in the 45-year-old administration building. The renovations seem like a tall order for one year but Myers said it’s nothing out of the ordinary. “We pretty much do this on a yearly basis,” said Myers. “We set aside funds for maintenance and improvements and have federal airport improvement funds that come in on an annual basis.” Aesthetic improvements are just as important as those with safety and fiscal impacts, said Myers. “You want to have an inviting place for people to come; a place people are proud of,” said Myers. “The airport is often the first place outside visitors see when they come to the Capital District and we want to make a good impression and set the tone for the Capital District.”