The demolition of Central Illinois Regional Airport’s old terminal building is slated to begin this month.
The site is the former location of CJ’s Restaurant, which closed in 2018.
In a virtual meeting with the Bloomington-Normal Airport Authority on Tuesday, CIRA Deputy Director Javier Centeno said work will begin on Sept. 14 and is projected to last 85 days.
Centeno said much of the initial work will involve fencing and environmental compliance. The actual demolition of the structure won’t take place until the third week of October. That work is projected to last 30 days.
Winter is coming
On another topic, Centeno said CIRA has begun cross training its staff in snow removal in an effort to pre-empt any personnel shortages this winter season. This year, the traditional flu season will coincide with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a potential increase in worker absence due to illness, he said.
Executive Director Carl Olson said the purpose of the extra training is to increase worker flexibility, ensuring the airport will have sufficient staff when winter weather arrives.
Centeno apologized for broaching the topic of snow removal in the month of September, but reminded board members that Denver already is bracing for its first snow storm of the season.
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