Milwaukee County to consider study for new Mitchell international terminal

Milwaukee County officials are expected to soon consider setting aside $100,000 to pay for a study that would look at the possible benefits of building a new terminal at General Mitchell International Airport.

The airport announced in July that two airlines operating in its Concourse E would be moved as part of a long-term redevelopment project. Airport officials said at the time that the plans call in part for the construction of a new international terminal at the concourse’s site.

The $100,000 up for the county’s approval would, among other things, enable the airport to hire a consultant to help study the likely benefits and drawbacks of building a new terminal, according to a letter sent to Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors officials by Brian Dranzik, director of the county’s Department of Transportation.

The spending proposal can’t move forward without winning the approval of the County Board’s Finance and Audit Committee. That committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 15, and the agenda has yet to be published.

Also on Wednesday, Ismael Bonilla, Mitchell airport’s director, told committee members that the proposed study would help the airport make a “business case” for why the new terminal is needed.

“To me, it’s a requirement,” he said.

“We need to look at the business case first, make sure we are going the right path.”

The current international terminal, built in 1975, is a standalone building containing about 23,000 square feet of space. Airport officials say that the detached building is outdated and requires passengers to take either a shuttle or lengthy walk to reach the main terminal and parking garage. Follow @alexzank