The new GAT Project consists of the construction of a one level building incorporating many
state of the art systems.
General Aviation services will be available in a temporary terminal or in the existing terminal
during construction. The current terminal will be demolished as part of the project.
The terminal facility will support a wide range of aircraft through the inclusion
of a generous Passenger Lounge, a Snack Bar, public restrooms and a private Pilot Lounge
with a restroom, shower and Quiet Room. Canopy awnings are provided for the loading and
unloading of passengers and their luggage. A configurable Multi-Purpose/Training Room is
provided to host a variety of functions and is designed to serve as overlfow for the Passenger
Lounge. A Conference Room and Business Center are provided for passenger and business
use. The Business Center includes three workstations, two private phone booth rooms and
two private offices. FBO Administration areas include: a customer service desk,
offices for the General Aviation Manager, Property Manager, line crew operations and
ample storage space.
The initial GAT program budget was $4,000,000 funded as follows:
- $2 million special appropriatoin from the State of South Carolina
- $1 million grant from South Carolina Division of Aeronautics
- $800,000 grant from the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority
- $200,000 in Airport Funds
The project design team is headed by Gresham, Smith & Partners with Pegram &
Associates; WPC Engineering; Kyzer & Timmerman Engineering; Hass & Kennedy
Engineering; McNight-Smith-Ward & Griffen Engineers; Civil & Land Resources, Inc. and
Sue Krowka, RLA.
Initial bids for construction exceeded available funds and have been rejected. The County has
engaged the services of M.B. Kahn Construction Co. Inc. to provide construction management
services including constuctability reviews of existing plans and specifications, value
engineering, packaging of the project for bidding ( either as an entire project, with a
General Contractor or as packages, managed by the CM ), assistance with re-bidding, construction
of all elements of the project, including related project elements on contiguous parcels.
It is anticipated the construction will commence by mid - 2008 and be completed in 2009.
New Passenger Terminal Capacity
A team of professionals, headed by MB Kahn Construction Co. Inc. and the LPA Group Inc.
has begun work on the first phase of planning for the east side terminal capacity expansion
program.[TCEP]
Phase 1 will include an extensive "visioning" effort to solicit input from stakeholders, community
business leaders, elected officials, and the public to assist the County in identifying the
community's desired goals and objectives regarding passenger terminal development at MYR.
The PM will then identify alternatives for achieving the goals/objectives and assist the county in
determining the preferred approach to accomplishing the requirements to complete a preferred
program.It is hoped that Phase 1 will be completed before the end of the year.
Why are additional passenger facilities needed at MYR?
Easy access to quality, affordable air service is one of the key elements needed to support
continued growth and diversification of the Grand Strand’s economy. Horry County,
through its Department of Airports and in concert with the community, has made significant
progress in attracting several new airlines and expanding Myrtle Beach’s air service options.
To continue attracting new airlines and expanding service from our existing carriers, it is
important that the physical facilities at Myrtle Beach International Airport be expanded to
provide the space and services needed by the airlines at rates that they can afford. This is
particularly important if the community wishes to attract low cost-air carriers that are important
to the region’s principal industry, tourism. The same holds true for general aviation growth.
In 2007, the airport handled more than 1.6 million commercial passengers, an increase of almost
17% over 2006. Existing airline ticket counter / baggage make-up spaces are occupied and on
many days in peak season, the existing terminal ramp area is too small to accommodate all
aircraft at the airport. The existing terminal building contains 7 gates in 128,000 S.F.
While there are periodic fluctuations in passenger activity at MYR - just as there is at most U.S
airports - the airport’s passenger growth has almost doubled over the past 10 years and all
forcasts - the airport's, FAA’s and chamber of commerce - predict substantial growth in the future.
Modern terminal facilities with sufficient aircraft gates and capacity are needed to accommodate
that forecast passenger growth.
The TCEP will evaluate all options for insuring adequate passenger terminal capacity for many
years including new facilities and/or renovation of the existing terminal.
