Published: October 15, 2008 08:48 am      

Red Cross airport suite completed

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Renovations at the Kozaria Terminal at Mt. Vernon Outland Airport to create a suite of offices for lease by the American Red Cross of Mid-Southern Illinois has been completed ahead of schedule, according to airport manager Chris Collins.

“We haven’t done the final walk through yet on the suite for the Red Cross, but everything is ready,” Collins said. “We’ll probably do the walk through with the contractor and include Round Table Design and Cindy [May] with the Red Cross since they will be occupying the office space.”

The announcement that the airport would be leasing space to the local Red Cross chapter was made in June, which was precipitated by the owners of the current Red Cross building at 12th and Casey Avenue notifying the Red Cross it would be putting the property up for sale and not renewing the lease with the organization.

Shortly after the notice, it was revealed the owners were negotiating with the city to purchase the building and surrounding property.

The Airport Board approved renovating the terminal to create office suites, an idea which had been discussed since 2005. An HVAC project, which started in June, paved the way for the construction, with Rex Brieseacher Construction being awarded the bid.

“The project has gone incredibly smooth,” Collins said. “It will be all ready when the Red Cross begins its move.”

The main area of the terminal has been partitioned off to create the Red Cross suite next to the front doors of the lobby. The organization will be leasing about 1,344 square feet in the southwest portion of the building.

The Red Cross has previously announced it would be moving into the new office suite by Nov. 1.