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New Idea May Save Airport Terminal: Blackstone Development Group Mulling Plan for Express Shipping Company

Posted on: Thursday, 29 December 2005, 12:00 CST

By Mike Corpos, American News, Aberdeen, S.D., American News, Aberdeen, S.D.

Dec. 29--Aberdeen's old airport terminal may yet get a reprieve.

Originally slated for demolition this winter to make way for a new snow removal equipment building, the old terminal has attracted the attention of Aberdeen's Blackstone Developers, said Dave Osborn, city transportation director.

Last week, members of the airport board, representatives of Blackstone and the Federal Aviation Administration met to discuss possible uses for the building.

The FAA has previously said that any use for the building would need to be aeronautic in nature since the building is located on airport ground.

The federal government must approve any uses for the terminal because federal money was used to construct the building about 50 years ago.

Osborn said discussions are still in the early stages, but Blackstone is definitely interested in the old terminal.

He said Blackstone did not provide many details, but said it might be interested in putting an express shipping company in the building.

It was not clear whether it would involve air or ground shipping.

Blackstone's managing partner, Norg Sanderson, was not available for comment Wednesday.

Osborn said the issue would be discussed more at next Thursday's 11:30 a.m. airport board meeting in the conference room in the new terminal.

Last week's meeting was mainly to discuss what it would take for Blackstone to lease the building and what the FAA requirements of such a lease would be.

If the lease goes through, it would not be the first time Blackstone has rescued a city building from the wrecking ball.

In 2004, the firm leased the Roosevelt and Washington buildings at old Central High School and is using them as inventory space to attract new businesses to Aberdeen.

Previous attempts to find a use for the former terminal had come up dry.

(605) 622-2310 or 1-800-925-4100 ext. 310; mcorpos@aberdeennews.com

Reporter Mike Corpos;

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Copyright (c) 2005, American News, Aberdeen, S.D.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: American News (Aberdeen, S.D.)

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