CURIOUS PUBLIC TREKS OUT TO AIRPORT TERMINAL TO VIEW RENOVATION WORK

Amid the hustle and bustle of normal airport activities Saturday afternoon, about 150 people turned out for the dedication of the newly remodeled Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport terminal building.

"I think it's wonderful," said Judy Keele, a lifelong resident of Cape Girardeau. "This is a tremendous improvement it looks so nice!"

Keele said she remembers coming out to the airport as a girl with her family to eat in the airport terminal, watching the planes take off and land. As an adult, Keele still enjoys eating at the restaurant with her co-workers at lunchtime.

"This is a real asset for Cape Girardeau and hopefully will serve as a vehicle to draw industry into the area," she said. "The airport has definitely gone through a lot of changes over the years, but this is by far the most impressive improvement I've seen."

Dale and Betty Alsager, two charter pilots who moved to Cape Girardeau in July, were impressed with the facilities.

"There's just one thing they forgot the moving sidewalk," joked Dale Alsager.

"We saw the ad in the paper about this grand opening, and we wanted to see what kind of facilities you all have down here," he said. "We're always interested in what's happening at airports."

Albert and Loretta Atkins of Jackson came down to have a look as well.

"It really reminds you of a big time airport," said Loretta Atkins. "This is the way every airport should be this small and this convenient."

Albert Atkins called the remodeling "much needed," since the couple has used the airport for flights to St. Louis.

"This is an ideal way to travel," he said. "Now, it's very modern, but not as intimidating at a large airport. It's professional-looking."

People milled about the $1.3 million building commenting on "the spacious waiting area," "the attractive bar," and the "modern metal-detector and baggage claim areas." Others wandered outside for to ride in the Cape Girardeau Fire Department's ladder truck or watch a barrage of small aircraft take off.

The dedication got under way with speeches from U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson and state Sen. Peter Kinder.

"We have much to celebrate here today," said Emerson. "We came here today to celebrate not a job that's finished, but an ever-continuing improvement of transportation and access facilities in Southeast Missouri."

"This is a giant step forward for the entire region."

Emerson called the airport a "regional facility," it being the only all-weather airport open for commercial flights between St. Louis and Memphis, Tenn.

"This airport serves as a vital link between Southeast Missouri and the rest of the world," Emerson said. "From this airport you can be almost anywhere in the world in 24 hours."

Both Emerson and Kinder spoke of how the airport fits into the grand design of transportation outlets in the region, including the railroads, port authority and Interstate 55.

"We are indeed on our way, but we must not rest on our laurels," Emerson said. "We are poised here today for a dynamic, bigger, brighter future. We must work harder to reach our full potential."

In his remarks, Kinder remembered the completion of the runway at the airport 25 years ago. He related the story of the runway's funding to the audience; of how a Democratic U.S. senator and a staunch Republican lawyer agreed on a proposal to benefit the entire region.

"Now we have a magnificent terminal to go with our magnificent runway," Kinder said. "There is no limit to the possibilities and growth we can expect with the transportation outlets in this area."

Along with the dedication of the terminal building, the two streets at the airport were dedicated, named in memory of two Cape Girardeau men who led airport growth over the years.

David Limbaugh was presented with a plaque naming one of the streets in memory of his father, Rush H. Limbaugh Jr. The other street was committed to the memory of John E. Godwin Jr., presented by Circuit Judge A.J. Seier.

Airport Manager Randy Holdman promises the new terminal building is just the first step in an ongoing process of renovation and improvement. The work was the first phase of a $4.5 million airport improvement project.

Other phases will include construction of a new fire protection water system, the purchase of an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle, renovation and expansion of the general aviation apron, construction of a new taxiway and installation of new airport lighting.

Work on the terminal building parking lot and airport entrance road has already started.

"We realize we have a lot to offer; this airport is a gateway to the community and to Southeast Missouri," Holdman said. "This is just the beginning."