Columbus Municipal Aiport secures funding for new tower, announces Force as builder

The Columbus Municipal Airport now has enough money committed to build a new control tower to replace the obsolete structure that is in place now.

Columbus city officials are announcing that they have received approval for a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration that means 100 percent of the funding has been secured. Brian Payne, Columbus Municipal Airport Director says that the collaboration between the “architect, contractor and the Airport shows a clear vision toward enhancing the rich architectural heritage of Columbus.”

Airport officials are crediting the FAA, the INDOT Office of Aviation and the city of Columbus with providing funding for the project. Payne said that the total cost is estimated to be $29 million with $27.2 million coming from the FAA, $1million from the state and $1 million from local airport funds as a match.

A grant from the Cummins Foundation Architecture program is being used toward the architecture fees for the project.

Marlon Blackwell Architects, based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, designed the new tower in conjunction with the Woolpert engineering firm. The new tower will meet current Federal Aviation Administration standards including those for sighting, backup cooling and power, security, fire and life safety, and FAA equipment.

The city is also announcing that Force Construction will build the new 128-foot tall tower in collaboration with Woolpert. A ground breaking is scheduled for later this month and construction is expected to start in December. Work is expected to be finished by the summer of 2027.

The tower will be made of steel, aluminum and glass, with a layered, segmented look and will be about twice the height of the existing tower, with the latest safety improvements. The new tower will replace the airport’s existing 80-year-old tower.

Rendering courtesy of Columbus Municipal Airport