BY TERRY FLYNN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HEBRON -- Less than two years ago, Cincinnati - Northern Kentucky International Airport added more than 800 parking spaces at Terminal 3, the Delta terminal, to ease the parking crunch during peak arrival-departure times.
But airport officials are already faced with the need for more parking, both short- and long-term, as the number of travelers using the airport continues to grow.
"On peak days, like many Thursdays, the parking facility at Terminal 3 is at 90 percent capacity," said Bill Martin, airport director of planning and development.
The airport has hired Leigh Fisher Associates of San Francisco to undertake a study, expected to last at least seven months, which will give officials an overall picture of the parking needs and possible methods of alleviating future problems.
"We're looking at all the parking," Mr. Martin said. "That includes passenger parking, employee parking, rental cars . . . both short-term and long-term situations.
"This will be a comprehensive study. Depending on the structures needed, we may also have to do something different in the way we access the through roads. We'll also look at ways to reduce curbside congestion, and things like credit-card pay to reduce the lines at the exits."
The face of the airport will be changing over the next few years, including construction of the new DHL hub at the south end of the airport property, the expansion of Comair's hub and the probable construction of a third north-south runway in the next five years. Leigh Fisher and Associates recently completed the first phase of the parking study, which looked at parking revenue control and called for replacement of the electronic - computer-control devices in all parking garages and lots. The Kenton County Airport Board has approved funding for that job.
Mr. Martin said the first phase of the study also pointed out the need for additional parking immediately. "Design implementation of a new facility is usually started when capacity is at 80 percent," he said. "We're already at 90 percent.
"We will try to maximize the terminal area to our future needs," he continued. "We are not looking at just immediate fixes. We will develop a 20-year strategy. We want to build a (parking) facility that we won't have to do over in five years. That means coming up with the proper strategy."
The second phase of the study will look at alternatives for all modes of ground transportation, including curb frontage, commercial vehicles and taxis, entrance-exit roads, terminal garages and surface parking.
Mr. Martin said there is no price tag for the parking improvements at this point. Funding will come from the airport's capital improvements budget.
