Lexington, KY - Millions of dollars in projects at Lexington's Blue Grass Airport are on schedule despite the recent turmoil in the administrative offices. Blue Grass Airport Interim Executive Director Eric Frankl says the airport board is determined to complete the projects before the Alltech 2010 World Equestrian Games. He's pushing ahead with the projects while working to rebuild the public's trust in the airport's management, in the wake of the highly publicized spending scandal.
The 44-year-old Ohioan projects a different image than his predecessor Michael Gobb. Frankl occupies former executive director Michael Gobb's office on the second floor of the airport's main terminal building. But his surroundings are more austere; the flat screen televisions and flight monitoring equipment remain, but there are few executive touches. Frankl is more apt to be found in a polo shirt and slacks than a suit and tie. He's stepped into a whirlwind but says the challenges are exciting.
Frankl said he's determined, as is the Blue Grass Airport Board, not to let the "issues" affect progress. The "issues" are the Herald Leader stories and the state auditor's report on questionable credit card charges that cost Frankl's predecessor and several other key employees their jobs. For this interim director who would very much like the job full time, there is much to be done to maintain operations and complete millions of dollars in improvement projects before the 2010 FEI Alltech World Equestrian Games. Frankl said the airport board has moved quickly to implement recommendations from State Auditor Crit Luallen's audit while aggressively pushing forward. There are more than $50 million in construction projects that must come in on-time and on budget.
The projects are for the long-term improvement of the airport, but the Games created the impetus to push them forward now. The largest project is the new general aviation runway. It's being built to replace runway 26, the airport's shorter runway where Comair Flight 5191 began its tragic takeoff on August 27, 2006. This new runway will be longer, lighted and accessed by aircraft without the convergence with Runway 22, the main runway. Frankl said the runway should be completed by the Games. Even if it's not fully operational, Frankl said it can be used to park some of the dozens of private and corporate planes expected in Lexington during the 16-day equestrian competition.
Several other projects are also to be completed by the Games. Frankl said the most visible right now is the airport's front door to the community. There will be a new sign, new landscaping and other touches at the airport's main public entranceway off Man o' War Boulevard. There are two projects approved for the terminal building: one inside and one outside. Inside, a massive redo effort will update the look of the ticket counter area of the terminal. In recent years, there have been renovations to the newsstand, the security area was created, and a lot of renovations have occurred past the security area in the passenger concourses, but the new projects will enhance the first impressions of visitors to Lexington.
The outside look of the passenger terminal is also being changed. Several years ago, a new parking structure was built across from the terminal. Now, according to Frankl, the faÁade of the terminal will be matched to the parking structure, while new landscaping will update the total look along the drive in front to the terminal building.
The new projects will enhance the first impressions of visitors to Lexington, said Frankl, who sees the Games as a chance to showcase the community and the airport to people from around the world, with the possibility of long-term payoffs in increased tourism, additional flights and new businesses locating in the Bluegrass.
Does he worry about all of these challenges? "Constantly," he said with a laugh, but he also sees the Games as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Undergoing $56 million dollars in construction at an airport the size of Blue Grass is rare, he said. Shepherding projects of this magnitude are challenging, especially while at the same time implementing the recommendations from the state auditor's report and ensuring daily operations run smoothly for passengers and airport tenants.
As Frankl and his staff work to complete all their tasks, he's mindful that the board has hired a search firm to look for additional candidates to be the permanent executive director. He's made no secret that he would love the job, but said wherever he's living, he plans to be in Lexington for the World Equestrian Games.