The newest airport terminal in the world was celebrated over the course of two days in Prescott, as the new passenger terminal at Prescott Regional Airport Ernest A. Love Field was dedicated and put on display for the community. The new $13.9 million terminal, which was built by the team of Phoenix-based general contractor Willmeng Construction Inc., and Prescott-based heavy civil construction firm Fann Contracting, replaces the former terminal that dates back to the 1940s and brings the airport a larger, modern and aesthetically appealing facility as it hopes to attract more carriers to the fast-growing region.
“Great things happen when there’s a great vision from an aligned city council, aligned mayors in the region and they get behind a great leader like Dr. Robin Sobotta, (Airport Director)” said Willmeng CEO James Murphy during the private terminal dedication ceremony on Friday, June 18 that was attended by more than 200 state and local government officials, FAA and TSA representatives and special guests. “When I got the plans for this terminal, you could see on paper that DWL (Architects + Planners, Inc.) killed it. It is regionally significant, the glass, the ceiling; you could see on paper that this terminal was outstanding.”
Friday’s private dedication event was followed up by an open house on Saturday, June 19, which allowed members of the community to tour the entire facility, talk with members of the Prescott Regional Airport staff and learn more about the new terminal and services that the airport offers the surrounding communities.
“This is a proud community accomplishment and a regional asset for Yavapai County,” said Prescott Mayor Greg Mengarelli. “This regional asset will be utilized by more than just Prescott residents. This is a city-owned airport, but we don’t really see it that way, we see this as regional cooperation. This is everyone’s regional airport.”
The terminal was designed by DWL Architects + Planners, Inc. from Phoenix, with Prescott architecture firm Michael Taylor Architects Inc. providing local assistance. Dibble Engineering provided civil engineering and LSW Engineers were the structural engineers on the project. Willmeng strived to utilize local subcontractors as much as possible on this project, and Murphy estimates that about 90 percent of the subcontractors involved in the construction of the new terminal were from the Prescott region, including Willmeng’s partner on the project, Fann Contracting.
“Everybody knows that if you get north of Black Canyon City, Fann Contracting is how you execute,” Murphy said. “If we hadn’t aligned with them, we wouldn’t be here. Their team did a magnificent job getting us out of the ground.”
The terminal itself was just one part of the overall scope of the work performed at the airport. Airplane hangars were torn down and new entry roads were designed and built, which required the relocation of utility lines that ran under the property. New parking areas, a new apron and new taxiways were built, as well. All of that work, along with construction of the terminal building itself, was done without causing any interruptions to normal airport operations.
The new terminal building is 18,000 square feet of glass, steel, metal facing and masonry. The most striking feature of the facility is the Douglas Fir timber ceiling, which covers the entire terminal. The “big roof” concept was chosen and inspired by the Prescott region, and the construction team executed that vision, with no exposed electrical conduits or HVAC vents to maximize the visibility of the ceiling. Another feature that makes the facility unique is that it was built with expansion in mind. The current outdoor courtyard waiting area was designed to quickly be transformed into additional gate holding areas as the airport grows in the future.
“What was really amazing about this terminal is the FAA was quite generous in letting us build this ‘big roof’ concept,” said Airport Director Dr. Robin Sobotta. “And I do credit the architects and designers. They did a great job in allowing us to have the future expansion incorporated as part of the design. What is extraordinary is we have the ability to build out those spaces in the near future as we grow.”
With the addition of the new passenger terminal, commercial service apron, baggage handling system, vehicle parking and roadway, Prescott Regional Airport will be able to expand its variety and frequency of flight offerings. Already, United Express (operated by SkyWest Airlines), has added more flights, with daily, non-stop flights to Denver and Los Angeles.
Willmeng Construction, established in 1977, is a Phoenix based building contractor that specializes in ground-up and tenant improvement projects in Arizona. Willmeng stays true to building excellence, supports prelease transactions, maintains their ability to execute small and large projects, and strategically recruits the highest performing employees in the industry. Willmeng has been built on great relationships, a commitment to earn the next project while delivering this one, and the reputation of positively impacting the community through projects and volunteerism.
For more than half a century, Fann has been an integral part of building Arizona’s infrastructure – from roadways and highways throughout the state to public works projects, landfills, underground utilities and commercial site development. What started as a small business in 1960, with one hardworking man and a single backhoe, has grown into one of Arizona’s leading heavy-civil contractors. Now in third generation ownership, Fann’s steadfast culture of honesty and integrity, safety leadership, quality, and partnership models are the tools that continue making each construction project a true success.
