Dutch State Secretary of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops, State Secretary of Social Affairs and Labour Tamara van Ark and Airport Project Manager Ton Franssen unveil the 3D design model of the new airport terminal and tower.
F.D. Roosevelt Airport Manager Ellis Schmidt (right) leads officials and potential contractors for the new airport terminal and tower to the project site.
ST. EUSTATIUS--A three-dimensional design model of the new St. Eustatius airport terminal and tower was unveiled by Dutch State Secretary of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops, State Secretary of Social Affairs and Labour Tamara van Ark and Airport Project Manager Ton Franssen on Wednesday in Mike Van Putten Youth Centre.
The model of the airport terminal and tower was designed by Netherlands Airport Consultants NACO.
The new terminal and tower are to be built adjacent to the current terminal. The terminal will be able to handle more passengers than the current terminal. The building will also be constructed with the potential for expansion.
Local and international contractors were present at the event that also marked the official opening of the tender process for the airport project. The tender results will be published in the second quarter of this year.
The construction project should take some 18 months, with completion slated for 2020.
The resurfacing of the runway in 2016 was the first step in the airport upgrade.
The current airport name – Franklin Delano Roosevelt Airport – will remain due to the rich history behind it. In 1939 then-United States President F.D. Roosevelt travelled to Statia to present the island with a plaque in recognition of the island being the first international territory to recognize the 13 American colonies as independent from the United Kingdom. The plaque is at the base of the flagpole on Fort Oranje.
Knops said there are discussions about how to emphasise and celebrate Statia’s rich history.
US Consul-General based in Willemstad Margareth Hawthorne said during her visit to the island in late 2018 that more emphasis is needed on the relationship of the Dutch Kingdom, in particular Statia, and the United States. Knops reiterated this sentiment.
The terminal is an important symbol for the island, because everyone who travels to Statia by air will see that building first when disembarking, said Knops.
Government Commissioners Marcolino “Mike” Franco and Mervyn Stegers, Interim Kingdom Representative Jan Helmond and airport manager Ellis Schmidt were also present for the model unveiling.
