The Myrtle Beach airport needs to expand.
That’s the word from one company hired by Horry County to come up with a new design concept for the terminal at Myrtle Beach international airport.
Tuesday, the head of that company stood in front of Myrtle Beach city council members to tell them just that.
Rick Ott, with MB Kahn Construction said the airport needs a makeover.
"We could expand the front and have more room for people to accommodate check-ins, but we wouldn't be able to accommodate more bags and we wouldn't be able to accommodate security screenings, so really all of it has to grow collectively. If you did not provide for any growth, the terminal needs to be expanded just to accommodate the current traffic that you have."
Ott presented council members with several alternatives for terminal enhancement at the airport, based on months of research done by his company. He told council members changes need to be made at the airport if they want the airport to meet the growing demands of the area.
The lobby area is one-third the appropriate size, seating areas are congested, and people bottle neck in places like baggage, rental car areas, and security. Those are just some of the problems that need to be corrected at the Myrtle Beach international airport, according to Ott.
Ott said from the questions he got from council members about his finding and possible plans for renovations, he thinks people are getting excited about airport expansion.
But expansion costs money, one of the many issues brought up by council.
Ott said he needs to get more information before he can put a dollar value on renovation costs.
"We want to get the public's input on things like parking garages and entry way into the airport, all of that affects the cost." said Ott.
Council members also listened to a presentation about a possible plan for the airport from a Pawleys Island man who says he represents the taxpayers.
Doug Decker said, "I think it's every citizens duty and you know we have a lot of concern about government and government doesn't work and people can either sit on their chair and get out or participate and this is what I’m trying to do is make a contribution to the community."
While Decker said passenger traffic is on the decline, Ott said it is only going to increase, but both agree something needs to be done.
Ott said Horry County will make the ultimate decision on what if any renovations will be made
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