Airport redesings add 25% to rebuild costs

By Candi Calkins
   Redesigns of concourse J and the south terminal at Miami International Airport approved by county commissioners Tuesday will add 25% to rebuilding costs to meet requests from the Star Alliance airline partnership.
   Revised contracts approved by commissioners are part of a settlement between the Miami-Dade Aviation Department and United Airlines, the Miami anchor for Star Alliance.
   Changes to architectural plans will increase projected costs for the south terminal to $99 million, up from a ceiling of $74 million set last year, airport officials said.
   The south terminal is one of several in a $5.4 billion reconstruction program under way at Miami International.
   Gary Dellapa, executive director of Miami-Dade Aviation, said the terminal design was modified from a generic airport design.
   "It is the most flexible terminal that we could have," he said.
   Commissioners raised concerns about constant changes to the project, citing a history of revises after Mr. Dellapa said that more south terminal changes could follow. If the US Justice Department approves a proposed merger of United Airlines and US Air, he said, further revisions might be requested.
   "Between now and when we build this airport, the market could change a lot," Commissioner Jimmy Morales said. "Two or three years from now we may be redesigning all over again."
   County officials countered by saying that airport reconstruction was designed to accommodate future changes.
   "We're trying to put as much flexibility as possible," said Bill Johnson, assistant county manager. "There will be marriages. There will be divorces here."
   Because the design was already 75% complete, the contract with MGE Architects required an amendment approved by the commission.
   In January, the county, in a court settlement with several airlines, agreed to relocate United, Air Canada, Delta and 12 other lines to the south terminal, including concourses H and J. The county also agreed to build new club areas for United and Delta and a laser baggage system.
   Commissioners OK'd the changes, which include an extension of concourse J, adding escalators and clubhouse space.
   Although construction fees remain unchanged, officials said project costs increased partly due to higher architectural fees, which are based on a percentage of total project cost.
   Bill Johnson, assistant county manager, said commissioners last year approved 27 or 28 contract changes representing cost increases ranging from 22% to 26%.
   In July 1999, commissioners approved more than $700 million in cost increases for airport renovations, including $400 million for an intermodal transportation system and $300 million for changes to concourses in the airport's north terminal serving American Airlines.
   Another $100 million in modifications were authorized last year for the middle section of the airport.
   Airport officials said they are preparing a revised plan for 2000 incorporating changes during the past year. Officials said although some plans were expanded, others were reduced or deleted.
   Officials said a contingency fund has helped airport officials maintain an overall $5.4 billion cost.
   Mr. Johnson said commissioners would next be asked to review proposed changes to concourse G.