Friday, June 11, 2004

Hailey airport tower too good to replace?

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By PAT MURPHY
Express Staff Writer

Although millions of dollars are being spent to upgrade and refurbish Friedman Memorial Airport, something old probably will be retained instead of building something new.

Airport consulting architect Paul Powers, of the national firm of Mead & Hunt, told the airport authority that after studying eight possible sites on the airport, he believes the present control tower should be retained.

He said it meets all the requirements, including total line-of-sight surveillance of the taxiways and runway, mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The 35-foot high control tower, which is manned by personnel from a private contractor, Serco Management Services, was built in 1989 at a cost of $97,000.

Powers said that just the relocation of utilities for a new tower at a different location on the field would cost $600,000.

He said that new siding material on the present tower as well as a small building at the base would improve its appearance.

Powers called the tower "sort of the gateway" to the central Wood River Valley area and a familiar landmark for thousands of drivers and their car passengers passing it every day.

Airport manager Rick Baird seemed to agree about keeping the present tower. He also said the FAA had never told the airport it had to be moved or replaced as part of safety upgrading of the field.

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