Local and state historic preservation officials discussed Monday potential funding sources that are available to rehabilitate the mid-20th-century airport terminal at South Arkansas Regional Airport at Goodwin Field.
After hearing the information that was presented by the groups, members of the El Dorado Airport Commission acknowledged that the debate to rehab the terminal or build a new one has been emotionally charged, and they said they wanted to explore all available options to justify spending public dollars on the project.
Jeff Teague, chairman of the commission, also laid out several options for actions the EAC could take toward addressing the need to upgrade the SARA terminal.
The EAC voted last July to build a new terminal for an estimated $2.1 million versus a refit of the existing, World II-era terminal at an estimated cost of $1.9 million.
Commissioner Mickey Murfee cast the lone no vote, and voiced opposition to tearing down the existing terminal. Commissioners noted then that discussions on the matter had been ongoing since 2011, and there had been no public objections.
Murfee contacted state historic preservation officials, setting off a chain of events that resulted in a Federal 106 Review of the matter.
In October, Frances McSwain, deputy state historic preservation officer for the Arkansas Department of Heritage, wrote a letter saying that the proposed project was subject to federal review because the terminal was eligible to be listed on the National Register for Historic Places.
On Monday, McSwain told commissioners that state officials were invited down to discuss funding sources and economic incentives that are available to renovate the existing terminal, which as been cited with several problems, including extensive building envelope/moisture infiltration, outdated and inefficient mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems.
“You have a very rare example of mid-century modern architecture. There are very few of these left,” she said, adding that a growing number of younger people admire that style of architecture.
McSwain told commissioners about federal grant programs, adding that she had spoken with federal highway officials who said the project would be eligible for application for Transportation Alternatives Program, a matching grant that has awarded up to $500,000 for bridge rehabilitation, trails, depots, and other such projects.
“These are very politically motivated grants, and I’ll just leave that right there,” McSwain said, noting that such a grant was likely used for a portion of the downtown sidewalk improvement project.
The cost of the first phase the project was largely covered by a federal highway grant that was funneled through the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department.
The grant was secured with help from then-state highway Commissioner Madison Murphy.
McSwain said the federal highway grant program has been available since the 1990s.
Airport Commissioner Scott Cowling inquired about the grant application process, including a timeline.
“Should we apply, when would we find out what we’re eligible for and when would receive those monies?” Cowling asked.
McSwain said she did not know since the guidelines are being rewritten, adding that she had contact information for federal highway officials.
She mentioned another matching grant that is funneled through her office that could award up to $70,000, $80,000 or $90,000.
“That’s enough to put a new roof on, probably,” she said.
Vanessa McKuin, executive director of Preserve Arkansas, formerly the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas, also talked about a planning grant that is available through the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
McKuin said the grant would assist with a feasibility study.
She also said the Arkansas Historic Preservation Foundation, which was established in honor of the late Theodosia Nolan of El Dorado, is committed to providing the required matching funds for the grant.
Airport ommissioners also heard from Ken Bridges and Elizabeth Eggleston, chairman and executive director, respectively, of the El Dorado Historic District Commission.
Eggleston noted that the EHDC is one of the consulting parties in the 106 Review process, and the group has been asked to attend all meetings regarding the matter.
Airport commissioners referred to previous statements made by the EHDC regarding the availability of a $1 million grant, and Cowling pointed out that Bridges mentioned the number again on Monday.
Bridges said he did not have information about such a grant, but he said the money could come from a series of grants, a mix of public and private dollars, etc.
“We owe it to the public to make we leave no stone unturned,” Bridges said.
“That’s exactly what we’re doing,” replied Cowling, who thanked historic preservation officials for coming to El Dorado to share information.
Mayor Frank Hash inquired about incorporating and modernizing design features of the old terminal into the new one.
McSwain the state group follows historic preservation design standards set by the U.S. Secretary of Interior, telling Hash, “We call that fake history.”
McSwain, McKuin and Bridges also noted that the existing terminal was designed by local architect John Abbott, founder of CADM Architecture, Inc.
“There’s a lot of useful life left. It’s got some issues that will require some upkeep, but I’ve looked at the buildings we’ve torn down in El Dorado, and we need to preserve what we have,” Murfee said.
Teague said he came up with a list of several options that are available to address the issue.
Three of those options were to take no action whatsoever, continue to operate out of the existing facility, “patch it as the need arises”; abandon the existing terminal, move to another location, build a new building and enter into an agreement with the State Historic Preservation Office to maintain the existing terminal; or build a new facility and mitigate the adverse impact on the existing facility.