Maziarz calls for terminal construction

Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, November 8, 2007

The Niagara Economic Development Fund has awarded $2 million in grant funding for
the construction of a new terminal at Niagara Falls International Airport. This sketch
shows a look at the front of the proposed terminal. (photos courtesy NFTA)

The Niagara Economic Development Fund has awarded $2 million in grant funding for the construction of a new terminal at Niagara Falls International Airport, State Sen. George Maziarz announced Friday. He called on the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to approve a contractor’s bid at its meeting later this month so construction can begin.

The $2 million, added to the $14 million in funding set aside from dedicated funding from the local share of Seneca Niagara Casino revenues, means that more than 50 percent of the terminal’s $31.5 million cost is available. Remaining costs would be bonded by NFTA.

“The moment of truth in this long campaign to build a new terminal is at hand,” Maziarz said. “With this $2 million from the Niagara Economic Development Fund, now is the time to move forward. Now is the time to commit to building a new facility that will help the entire region capitalize on passenger, charter and cargo growth. This project will be a lasting key to our economic future, and it will open doors that some naysayers thought would be shut forever.”

Maziarz spoke at a press conference at the airport’s current terminal, along with other local government and business leaders and Niagara County’s members on the NFTA board.

The press conference start time coincided with the departure of a flight to Myrtle Beach, giving the terminal bustle, as passengers got ready to board.

Air traffic is increasing, speakers pointed out, and now is the time to move on an improved terminal to handle more charter and cargo flights.

“Drive by on the weekend and see the airplanes lined up. It’s something we haven’t seen here in a long time,” said Paul Faltyn, president of Commercial Aviation Consulting.

Clyde Johnson, president of Niagara County Building Trades, said it is time for naysayers to be quiet now. “With the casino down there, I don’t see how we can lose.”

William R. Vanecek, NFTA director of aviation for Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Niagara Falls International Airport, said the Falls airport’s runway is 2,000 feet longer than any one in Buffalo, and able to handle the larger, heavier planes. It’s also more cost effective for low cost airlines that would not be able to afford to fly out of Buffalo.

“We need NFTA to recognize we’ve waited for over 40 years. The time for waiting is over,” Maziarz said, noting that not one penny of local property tax money would be needed for the project.

County legislators on hand also vowed to send a message to NFTA.

“Anything that happens on this complex will be good for the Town of Wheatfield and the county,” said County Legislator Bill Ross, pointing to the increase in jobs and economic activity both the building of the terminal and more traffic at the airport would bring.

Vanecek said the current terminal was built at a time when planes were smaller and there was ramp loading. Security, since 9/11 is another big issue. Without separate customs and immigration space, the airport cannot accommodate a domestic and international flight at the same time.

“The new facility will get a lot of people through the checkpoint sooner and give them a nicer environment to wait in,” he said.

The new terminal, if the construction bid is approved by NFTA on Nov. 20, would be built between the current building and the Calspan facility.