SAFFORD — The Safford City Council approved spending more than $200,000 to keep moving things forward at the airport.
During Monday’s meeting, the council unanimously approved spending $116,000 for the second phase of design for a new terminal building at Safford Regional Airport-1LT Duane Spalsbury Field.
Once design is complete — which is anticipated to be this summer — Airport Manager Cameron Atkins said the city will apply for $2.3 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-Airport Terminal Program grant funds for construction. He said the money the city is spending on design counts toward the grant’s required match.
Last June, the city received $309,604 in federal aviation funds, and $15,198 from ADOT for design of a new terminal.
The need for a new terminal was highlighted by the recent start of commercial air service between Safford and Phoenix by Scenic Airlines.
Preliminary plans call for a 4,392-square-foot ground floor, with a 686-square-foot second-floor mezzanine.
The ground floor would contain an airline office and ticketing counter, a rental car office, passenger waiting area, conference room, space for the TSA and baggage screening when the number and size of flights increase, and restrooms.
The mezzanine would house offices and a small conference room.
The council also voted unanimously to spend $88,600 for completion of the Airport Strategic Business Plan, which will help guide future development at the airport and airport industrial park.
“Essentially this is telling us what businesses we need to go after, what’s the best fit for our airport, what’s the best fit for our local economy, and how do we utilize the airport as an engine for economic development,” Atkins said.
Editor’s note: This story was edited at 3:50 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, to correct the day of the Safford City Council meeting.
