Although officials at the North Central West Virginia Airport were fairly certain that the terminal building’s future did not include a restaurant, it became a certainty on Wednesday. During the monthly meeting of the Benedum Airport Authority, plans for the recently vacated restaurant space were presented to the board.

 

There was one thing noticeably missing – a public restaurant space. Although the conceptual drawings that were presented included a kitchen area, NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock said the equipment left was to handle catering for any events.

 

“We have tried to put together the highest and best use of that space,” said Rock. “It’s going to include much needed and dedicated office space, a conference area that can be rented out and we’ll be able to utilize the area for better display of our (West Virginia) Aviation Hall of Fame.”

 

The drawings were presented to the Authority, the airport’s governing body, by the Thrasher Group. Chad Biller, a partner in the firm, and Nicole Jones handed out the layout and explained them to the group.

 

Late last year, the airport put out a request for proposal for anyone wishing to utilize the space for a restaurant. The RFP went out after the previous tenant’s lease, Parker’s on the Runway, expired. Parker’s had continued operations after that, but opted not to bid on the space and instead recently opened up a new restaurant on Fourth Street in Clarksburg.

 

Unfortunately for those wanting a restaurant, there was no official interest in the space. One group toured the space prior to the bids being due and Rock said he received a handful of phone calls after the bids were due. Nothing, however, materialized.

 

Authority members and Rock didn’t seem unglued by the situation when no bids were received. For some time, members have voiced concern for a lack of space in the building where expansion options are limited at best.

 

Now, it appears that the space will eventually be designed. However, it won’t be as presented Wednesday.  Shortly after the drawing was presented, Authority Member and Bridgeport Mayor Robert “Bob” Greer voiced concerns about access to the elevator. Jones said the concerns he voiced could be addressed. There was also talk of moving the conference area to oversee the runway as opposed to the offices.

 

There was no timeline on when the renovation of the space would start. However, Rock did have a price estimate based on what was presented Wednesday. He said it would cost $256,000 to make the changes, which may change once the suggestions brought forth Wednesday are considered.

 

The secure waiting area currently has the "Snack Shack" that allows travelers to purchase items such as pepperoni rolls and chips. Rock said more food-related vending machines could be added to areas outside of the secure waiting area, including the second floor where the restaurant has been located for decades.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Airport Authority President Ron Watson, right, going over documents with Authority member  David Hinkle. Bottom photo shows Rick Rock addressing the board on a number of topics, including the space occupied for years by an airport restaurant.