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Fate of AE Airport Terminal Up In the Air

By Brian Hagen

12/04/2015

(KAIR)--What to do with the Amelia Earhart Airport Terminal Building remains under consideration as the future of the structure is not yet determined.

The issue is set to come before the Atchison City Commission, during a workshop session, at Monday's regular meeting.

The fate of the structure has been under review since large sections of the roof's upper layers were ripped off during a storm in July. Inspection of the structure shows the damage has allowed water to work its way into the structure.

A memo from Deputy Public Works Director Clinton McNemee states that despite options explored so far for the structure's future, “the right answer has been elusive.”

A recent inspection was conducted following the heavy rains in November.

Building inspector Phil Burke, in a memo, recommends that no action on roof replacement be taken until more can be learned about the condition of the building's supporting structure.

Should the structure be found in good shape, only then should roof replacement be conducted, as the facility would be “a good candidate for remodeling.”

However, should the supporting structure, including the integrity of the roof framing and walls, be found to be unstable, then would be the time to look at “placing the funds into another alternative.”

For now, exactly what might be done with the structure remains up in the air, with Commissioner's Monday to assess the evaluation and discuss possible plans.