![]() ![]() A restaurant occupied 3,000 square feet, leaving just 17,000 square feet to handle all passenger functions, including ticketing, departures, arrivals and TSA screening. And roughly 4,000 square feet of the terminal was claimed by administrative space for the airport, rental car companies and Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In 2005, passenger volume peaked at 618,000 per year. The original 24,000-square-foot terminal was constructed in 1957, and it served some 20,000 passengers annually. The need for more terminal space at the county-owned and -operated airport is undeniable, says Peter Horton, the airport's director of ten years. Other Project Components: Parking facility, adaptive reuse of existing terminal, construction of bag makeup building and adaptive reuse of maintenance building Outbound Baggage Conveyor: G&S Airport Conveyor Project Format: Construction Manager at RiskĬonstruction Manager/General Contractor: The Morganti Group Location: Key West (FL) International Airportįunding: 30-year bond $8 million county funds Literally located at mile marker zero, Key West International Airport faced unique challenges during its recent, much-needed $31 million terminal improvement project. It's anything but, though, for construction projects. To see more, visit WLRN 91.3 FM.Key West, FL, is an escape to paradise for millions of visitors every year. “I think all this has a silver lining and there's a positive in it - and I'm sure that's the way Jimmy Buffett would want it,” Menta said.Ĭopyright 2023 WLRN 91.3 FM. The money raised that day will be donated to the Bahama Village Music Program in Key West. To continue honoring Buffett, Menta and the other parade organizers will hold a celebration in observance of Buffett’s life and legacy again next Labor Day. A tweet this week showed someone added hand-cut letters with tape that read “Jimmy Buffett” on the Key West International Airport sign over the weekend - which was reportedly removed by airport officials shortly after. “And then it's 5 o'clock somewhere right where you're at while you're waiting for your plane - I think there'll be a lot less angry people.”īut it appears some fans are not willing to wait. “At the end of the day, who doesn't want to have a delay or be laid over at Jimmy Buffett International Airport, Key West, and be forced to have a drink,” he said. The move is supported by locals such as businessman Paul Menta, who was among the organizers of a Key West street parade in Buffett's honor days after his death. But to name something after him, especially as large as Key West International Airport would take time,” Cates says to fans. If that works out, the proposal goes to the county Commission, who will hear public input and ultimately put the plan to a vote. The renaming would have to be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration and Margaritaville Holdings LLC - which is Buffett’s trademark that manages and franchises hotels, restaurants and merch. “I know there's a lot of emotion with this, but the reality of it is it'd be a long process and we'd have to work through it,” Cates said. Monroe County Mayor Craig Cates says the county, which owns the Key West airport, is looking at the process. READ MORE: Residents, fans celebrate Jimmy Buffett in Key West, the original Margaritavill The singer not only lived for a period in Key West, which is said to have inspired his 'tropical rock' style and many of his songs including Margaritaville, but he famously also had a pilot's license and owned several planes. ![]() I believe Buffett being an aviator himself would be honored to have the airport he always called home to be named after him," the petition continued. "With his passing, there’s a hole in a lot of fans' hearts who would love to say they’re flying into Jimmy Buffett airport. "Jimmy Buffett moved us all and made us want to slide on our flip-flops and head to Key West to Margaritaville," reads the petition, started by Brad Russell. The move would be a dream for fans, and Monroe County officials have told WLRN they are assessing whether the renaming would be legally possible. More than 19,000 people have signed a petition, created last week, to rename the Key West International Airport in honor of the singer-songwriter synonymous with the island, who died earlier this month. It’s wheels down, and you’ve just arrived in paradise - at the Jimmy Buffet International Airport.
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