Can't find place to park at airport? Deck expansion should solve that

A new parking garage soon will pierce the skyline at Huntsville International Airport.

Plans for a six-story, 1,330-slot parking deck were unveiled Wednesday before a city planning subcommittee.

The project comes six years after the airport opened a multilevel, 1,600-slot deck. The new structure would adjoin the existing one and include covered canopies leading to the main terminal along with office space for car rental firms.

"Our objective with our capital improvements is to provide better customer service for passengers. To be able to provide additional covered parking is a great thing for the airport and our community," airport spokeswoman Barbie Peek said Wednesday.

Construction on the garage addition is scheduled to begin in January with completion in March 2008.

Officials say increasing passenger traffic has rendered the initial parking deck inadequate. "During the week, the deck can become full as early as Tuesday," Peek said.

The $18 million expansion is part of an airport improvements master plan that calls for a third baggage carousel, a larger concession area with more seating and food vendors, baggage lifts at several additional gates and a new waiting area. The new waiting area would include plenty of windows to give "meeters and greeters" a view of the airfield, Peek said.

The new food court and baggage-lift project should be completed next fall for an estimated $2 million, according to architect Mike Chapman. Peek said the expanded food concession area will feature new vendors, including McAlister's Deli and a gourmet coffee shop.

In other business Wednesday, the planning subcommittee approved layout plans for several new subdivisions, including a 1,021-lot development south of Swancott Road and west of Wall Street near Rabbit Lane. The 240-acre development called Georgetown would offer basically four designs of houses.

Layout plans were also reviewed for Clayton's Cove, 133 lots, south of Capshaw Road and west of Nance Road; Maple Ridge subdivision, 242 lots, west of Balch Road and south of Capshaw Road; and an 84-acre commercial tract divided into three lots located west of Slaughter Road and south of Old Madison Pike.

A new entranceway with a sign and split-rail fence was also reviewed for the Hays Nature Preserve near Hampton Cove.

The full planning commission will review the subcommittee's plans Tuesday.