New Airport Operations Building Taking Shape

    The City of Umatilla's new terminal building at the Umatilla Municipal Airport is entering final approach to completion, with officials this week confirming the new building should be online by late summer or early fall. The 2,500 square foot building is being constructed further away from the city airstrip and replace a similar-sized structure that has served as the airport terminal for many years.
   The new building, which is being totally funded by the Florida Department of Transportation at a cost of $2.6 million, was conceived as airport regulators voiced concern that the old building was too close to the runway to meet modern safety standards.
   “The total project (includes) demolition of the old building, design, engineering, site work, utility infrastructure, road, parking, furnishings, security, fencing and construction,” Umatilla City Manager Scott Blankenship said on Monday.