New Rosecrans terminal nearly complete
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — After completing construction of a new runway a year ago, Rosecrans Memorial Airport staff will soon move into a new terminal.
St. Joseph city officials and community members toured the new terminal and event space earlier this week.
”That event went well, showcasing and highlighting the enhancements and improvements out here at Rosecrans,” Airport Manager Julius Rice said.
Rice said staff members are close to moving their administrative offices to the new space, and he estimates the B&B Runway Cafe, which is in the current terminal, also will make the move within the next few weeks.
The new cafe location includes more seating and an outdoor patio. Owner Jillian Parisoff said the space will be more inviting with a view of the runway and a larger kitchen for the staff.
“We are going to try to use the space more for events, so rent it out and use it in the evenings,” she said. “We want people to come enjoy it as well.”
There is a larger flight of stairs and longer handicap ramps since the new terminal sits higher.
“It is built up out of the floodplain,” Rice said. “So theoretically, if the levees didn’t hold and we had a flood similar to like what we had in ‘93 or ‘52, the building would stay dry.”
There are a few items Rice is waiting on before the terminal can open to the public, such as handrails at the entrance for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and more pieces of furniture.
“When we move over to this new terminal building, the restaurant and the airport offices will move over, but the air traffic control tower is still going to be housed in the original building,” he said.
The new seven-story air traffic control tower will be under construction for about another year. Although the move to a new terminal is imminent, Rice said the building will pay homage to the history of Rosecrans.
“We took bricks from the old building and moved those over into the lobby area for a historical display area,” he said. “We took the light sconces off the front of the building, and those are in there. So when you come and visit, as soon as you walk in the door, you’ll be greeted with Rosecrans history.”
