UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The University Park Airport has been serving the travel needs of central Pennsylvania residents and visitors for more than 40 years, and in that time, airport facilities have been expanded to provide service for non-stop flights to major hubs, including Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington Dulles and Atlanta, as well as serving the needs of general and corporate aviation. On Thursday (May 7) the Committee on Finance, Business and Capital Planning of Penn State’s Board of Trustees agreed to recommend the firm of Mead & Hunt of Middleton, Wis., as the designer for infrastructure and site improvement projects at the University Park Airport.
The committee also approved final plans and authorized spending an estimated $10.7 million for multiple facilities improvements. All actions are subject to final approval by the full Board of Trustees on Friday (May 8).
University Park AirportIn December 2011, in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines, a selection committee of airport representatives interviewed short-listed airport planning and engineering firms for multiple airfield projects at the airport and selected the firm of Mead & Hunt.
A master planning process has identified key improvements to the airport facilities to meet present and future needs. Approved projects include a re-grading and reconstruction of the General Aviation apron and corporate hangar taxi lane to meet FAA design standards; relocation of existing Taxiway D with construction of a service road in its place; Taxiway B pavement extension; new LED lighting; and pavements, access roads, fencing, water, sewer and stormwater facilities. If funding allows, additional taxiway and pavement work will be included. These improvements will support corporate hangars planned for the future.
Some future airport projects include extension of an interior access road, rehabilitation of runway and taxiway lighting, acquisition of runway anti-icing equipment, ground support equipment and rehabilitation of the baggage handling system.
Construction of projects to improve airport infrastructure and site layout is dependent upon FAA Airport Improvement Program discretionary money. The FAA’s Airport District Office has indicated that some amount of discretionary funding will likely be available for a project in fiscal year 2015-16. However, at this time the amount of discretionary money that will be available is unknown. By having a project designed and “shovel ready,” University Park Airport will be in a position to obtain the maximum amount of FAA Airport Improvement Program funding when it becomes available.
Final plans for future projects will be brought to the Board of Trustees for approval when designed and costs have been established.
Additional construction projects:
— Bryce Jordan Center roof replacement – Phase IIThe University will replace the Bryce Jordan Center roofing systems for eight ancillary sections. This will require the complete removal of existing ballasted roofing, to be replaced with new insulation and a new polyvinyl chloride membrane. Replacements of these roof sections will not impact access to the facility.
Additional support work for this project includes masonry restoration and repair as required to ensure a watertight installation, recertification of the lightning protection system and related mechanical work to support raising of roof curbs. The estimated cost for the project is $1.45 million.
— Brick paver replacement at various locations, University ParkThe University will remove and replace failing brick pavers on the north plaza of the HUB-Robeson Center, the south plaza of Osmond Lab and along Pollock Road between the loading dock access to the HUB and the road between the HUB and McAlister Building. The project also includes stormwater drainage improvements.
Existing bricks will be salvaged for use in repairs in other areas of campus. The estimated cost for the project is $1.39 million.
— Outreach Building interior renovation, Innovation ParkThe University will renovate approximately 19,100 square feet of the Outreach administrative and operational spaces on the first, second and third floors of the Outreach Building at Innovation Park. The project scope will include modifications to the HVAC system, ductwork distribution and building controls systems. The estimated cost of the project is $1.47 million.
— Outreach Building 329 interior renovation, Innovation ParkThe University will renovate approximately 17,000 square feet of the Outreach administrative and operational spaces on the second, third and fourth floors of the 329 Building at Innovation Park. The project scope includes modifications to the existing building mechanical, controls, plumbing, fire protection and electrical systems. The estimated cost for the project is $1.87 million.