Air traffic control tower at Pease airport poised for major renovation

PORTSMOUTH — The Pease Development Authority’s Board of Directors is slated to vote Thursday on a proposed $481,495 contract for the design of a major renovation of the air traffic control tower at Portsmouth International Airport at Pease .

The board voted earlier this year to hire Harriman Associates Inc., PDA’s on-call architectural consultant, “to evaluate the condition of the air traffic control tower and its building systems,” according to Michael Mates, director of engineering for the PDA.

“The work included, but was not limited to, an assessment of safety, code compliance and energy efficiency,” Mates said.

The proposed additional $481,495 authorization is for the design work for the air traffic control tower renovation project, Mates said.

45 years facing the elements

The architects recently submitted a report on their findings to PDA staff, Mates said, and “as expected some of the building systems show signs of deterioration as they approach the end of their design life spans.

“The building envelope also exhibits the effects of 45 years of exposure to the elements,” Mates added.

Harriman identified a number of priorities needed for a renovation of the air traffic control tower, according to Mates, including “installation of a new roof,” “replacement of the fire alarm panel,” reconstruction of the cat walk and “installation of a new water service for the fire protection system.”

Harriman concluded those are “just some of the priorities” identified in the study, Mates said.

Their work was aimed at “identifying the renovations required to increase safety, bring the building up to code and obtain an additional 20 years of life,” Mates said.

New tower would cost millions more than renovation

Harriman also “took a high level look at the construction of a new tower and what that might cost,” Mates said.

“Harriman estimated the construction cost for a new tower to be $9,430,000,” Mates said. “Compared to the cost to renovate at $2,270,000 to $3,330,000, it is significantly more expensive to build new.”

The Airport Committee in July also indicated it was “tending toward the renovation alternative,” according to Mates, and PDA staff are recommending the project moves forward as a renovation.

“Considering all factors, structural integrity, operating systems, coordination with users, continuity of operations, costs, schedule, available funds and potential funding sources, we believe the renovation is the best value and can take advantage of grant opportunities,” Mates said.

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The proposed $481,495 authorization is based on Harriman’s estimated fees for “designing and developing bid documents to be used to secure costs” for the renovations, Mates said.

If the board approves the contract, “Harriman will immediately begin work in order to have bid prices in April of next year,” Mates said.

PDA staff are hoping to get Federal Aviation Administration monies for the project through the agency’s Airport Terminal Program, according to Mates.

The program provides funds to replace aging airport terminals and towers, Mates said.

The PDA’s board meeting is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. Thursday and will be held in the PDA’s Conference Room.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Air traffic control tower at Pease airport poised for major renovation