Whether the existing restaurant at the North Central West Virginia Airport remains or a new one arrives will likely be determined sometime in December at the earliest. At that time, officials from the airport are expected to review proposals from businesses interested in possibly leasing the space.

 

Currently, the space is leased by Parker’s on the Runway. That lease expired August 17 Airport Director Rick Rock said during the September meeting of the Benedum Airport Authority, which is the airport’s governing body. At that meeting, Rock was directed to have a finalized “RFP” to give to the Authority to look at potentially landing a new restaurant or staying in place with the current eatery.

 

During today’s session, Rock presented the Authority with a formal “Request for Proposal,” or RFP as mentioned above, for restaurants that would be interested in acquiring the space. At the September meeting, Rock said the RFP wasn’t a reflection on business being done by Parker’s on the Runway.

 

Today, the existing restaurant received good reviews again. Rock said he’s “not had a bad meal” there, while Authority President and Harrison County Commissioner Ron Watson said during a recent weekend visit to the restaurant that it was packed.

 

It seems the issue concerning the Authority involves hours of operations. In particular, the concern is to work out an agreement with Parker’s or another establishment to be flexible in operation to be open for breakfast for early morning flights. In particular, the airport’s flights currently to and from Orlando that bring in several hundreds of travelers when the Allegiant flights arrive and depart are a time period members would like to see a food option available.

 

The Allegiant flights are around 10 a.m., Rock said. The new Via daily flight service to Baltimore that began Oct. 1 leaves at 6 a.m. The main concern, right now, is to have a restaurant open for breakfast during the Allegiant flights where Rock said usually around 300 passengers – departing and boarding – are going through the terminal.

 

“It would seem to be beneficial to the airport and to the traveler to make sure that the restaurant is able to serve breakfast when you have that number of people,” said Authority member Roger Diaz.

 

Authority member Randy Kerns agreed with Diaz. He was pleased to know, and wanted to make sure, that proposals for the space would include hours of operation as a critical component in determining what’s next.

 

“I think that’s something that’s very important,” said Kerns.

 

The RFP should be in local newspapers in the near future. Rock said he expects it to be in publication by the end of the month at the absolute latest.

 

Proposals are due back Dec. 14 where they will be opened by the airport’s restaurant committee. Also at the time, Rock said the committee will review the proposals and then make a recommendation at the next scheduled meeting in December, which is tentatively set for Dec. 21 at 3 p.m.

 

“It very well could be Parker’s again,” said Rock. “We want to do what’s best for the airport and this is a step in that direction.”

 

More from this meeting in the days ahead on Connect-Bridgeport.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock, right, going over the airport's financial statement with Authority member Randy Kerns. Member Roger Diaz is shown below during the discussion on the lease for a restaurant at the airport.