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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend January 27, 2005 An old farmhouse near the Medford airport is being moved in sections to make room for a hotel complex. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Airport shows sky-high potential Growth projects, including a new terminal and proposed corporate jet hangars, keep airfield employees busy By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune A10-year period of record growth at the Medford airport has fueled the need for a new terminal that will break ground this year, two new hotel complexes and possible corporate hangars. The number of passengers has increased 75 percent to 532,194 in 2004 compared to 1994, setting the stage for building a new $35 million terminal over the next few years. Airport officials will recommend the architectural firm of CSHQA in Boise, Idaho, to the county commissioners to design the new 100,000-square-foot terminal building. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer. At every corner of the airport, some type of construction has either taken place in recent years or is scheduled for the near future, including a new tower. Airport Director Bern Case said the various projects are needed to keep pace with growth at the airport during the past 10 years. Advertisement "Nobody on my staff is dealing with a lack of work right now," he said. Not only did the passenger count hit a record in 2004, the airport had an average 58 flights arriving and departing daily. It now serves eight hubs in the western United States. In 1994, there were 302,841 passengers, 32 arriving and departing flights and only two hubs served. County Commissioner Dave Gilmour, reviewing the statistics for the airport Wednesday, said, "I was looking at Eugene airport and they have the same amount of hubs as we have." Case responded, "We’re nipping at their tails." Commissioner Jack Walker pointed out that the number of flights has increased, but the cost of a flight has dropped from about $400 to Portland or San Francisco years ago to about $200 now. Case said plans are in the works to build a 32-acre complex of executive hangars by Jetset Aviation of Nevada LLC that will cater to owners of high-end aircraft such as Lear Jets and Gulfstreams. A 102-room Marriott Hotel is under construction near the airport, and Case said negotiations are underway to build another hotel, restaurant and service station. An old farmhouse located near Biddle Road on Lansdale Road is being relocated to Ashland to make room for the hotel complex. The farmhouse was purchased by Ashland resident Tonya Graham in a silent auction for $1,000. Case said the parking lot for the new terminal will extend almost to the area where the farmhouse now stands. Superior Air built a 45,000-square-foot ramp last year west of its facility to accommodate large aircraft. Case said Lithia Motors has indicated it might build its corporate headquarters and auto dealerships near the northeast portion of the airport. Two new hubs have been added in 2004, including a direct flight to Las Vegas by America West, and another to Salt Lake City by Delta Airlines. A total of four airlines now provide service out of the airport. Like most airports in the country, Medford’s saw a dip in passengers and number of flights after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. "We’ve more than made up for that recently," said Case. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s