Terminal faces tough 3 weeks

By Travis Tritten

The Sun News

The terminal project at Myrtle Beach International Airport must clear not one but two major hurdles to survive over the next three weeks.

For now, the project remains snagged and could be scrapped after the city's architectural review board rejected the plans earlier this month.

But even if it passes city review, the terminal faces a last vote by Horry County Council on Jan. 16 that will seal its future.

Council approval is crucial though not guaranteed.

Several members voiced support Friday and others said they are waiting to see unfinished details, such as a total price tag, before deciding their vote.

"We need to just make sure we have done our homework. I don't think anybody is willing to rush in and tell you what their vote is," Councilman Howard Barnard said.

Horry County hopes to win another hearing and reversal of the city's Community Appearance Board rejection of the project in the next two weeks. That would move the project on to a third County Council vote.

If a majority of the 12-member council supports the terminal, it will mean an estimated $228.8 million expansion - none is county property tax money - which will double the gates at the airport and prepare the area for future growth in tourism, supporters say.

A down vote will kill the project and end about five years of work. Horry County has already invested about $12 million in the terminal.

The cost of the terminal has been a determining factor for many on council. For terminal supporters, that could be good news.

The final cost including financing, which will be released Jan. 9, is expected to be cheaper than earlier estimates, County Attorney John Weaver said.

Interest rates on borrowed money are generally lower than when the last estimate was made in the summer, meaning a possible $291,000 savings on the $228.8 million total cost estimate, Weaver said.

Most of the money for the terminal will come from the FAA, airport fees and the state.

The county found out earlier this month that it will save $300,000 on the estimated $182.98 million construction cost for the terminal.

Other costs such as design work are expected to remain the same, Weaver said.

But those numbers are only good until Jan. 17, the deadline for construction materials to be ordered, Weaver said.

After that, the project's lead contractor will no longer guarantee costs, he said.

Councilman Kevin Hardee said he plans to support the terminal project on Jan. 16 if it passes the city's Community Appearance Board.

The CAB voted 6-1 to reject the project Dec. 21, saying they feared its location was too close to the new developments planned at the former Air Force base and would negatively effect traffic and quality of life there.

"I think that [price] is going to be in the ball park," Hardee said.

Putting off the new terminal will lead to airport congestion in the future and increased expansion costs, similar to the county's current struggle to pay for major road upgrades, Councilman James Frazier said.

"I think we can work out any problems we have. I think it is time for it," Frazier said.

Still, other council members were unsure Friday.

"I've never been convinced that we couldn't have done something with our original terminal and spared that cost," Councilman Mike Ryan said.

Ryan said he wants to see an explanation of what the county will be getting for a price tag that's over $228 million.

Council will hold a special workshop Jan. 9 to hear full details and costs for the 14-gate terminal.

Coming Sunday

A Myrtle Beach city board, whose usual controversies center on disputes such as the definition of the word awning, has in its grip one of the highest profile public construction projects in recent Horry County history. A look at the role of the Community Appearance Board and the volunteers who serve on it.

Tuesday | County Council meets and has its first chance to publicly discuss the Community Appearance Board decision

Thursday | Horry County goes to the city board to ask for a reconsideration of the board's rejection of the terminal plans

Jan. 9 | Council holds a public workshop to discuss all details of the project including a total price

Jan. 16 | Council plans a final vote on whether to build a new airport terminal

Jan. 17 | Contractor guarantee on the terminal construction cost expires

Contact TRAVIS TRITTEN at 626-0303 or ttritten@thesunnews.com.