The General Wayne Downing Peoria International Airport completed many capital projects in 2013 and is looking toward beginning larger projects this year. Some projects the airport finished include new water service for the terminal, re-constructing the entrance road to the facility and adding more than 300 new parking spots.
Airport officials hope to break ground on a new international arrivals building this year. The airport is waiting on U.S. Customs to approve the design of the facility. Airport Director Gene Olson says it’s needed so Peoria can continue to accept cargo, charter and corporate flights with up to 20 people. He says the international arrivals building will also be constructed to handle commercial flights.
“So you’re talking about, you know, maybe 200 to 400 passengers through the building at the same time which is the size of one or two 7-57s, and we’re looking at the possibility of trying to attract service to Mexico and the Caribbean.”
Olson says the international arrivals building could cost up to nine million dollars. The airport is also working to secure the funding for a new control tower. The current facility is housed in the old terminal building and is not up to federal regulations.