New Boca Raton Airport Authority Administration Building Opens to Grand Reception
Media Release
BOCA RATON, FL – December 17, 2015 – Thursday, December 10, was a night of celebration at the grand opening of the new Boca Raton Airport Authority Administration Building.
Many notable guests attended the event, including BRAA Chair Gene Folden, Vice Chair Frank Feiler, Secretary & Treasurer George Brown and BRAA board members Cheryl Budd, Jack Fox and Bill Schwartz, as well as board member and Boca Raton Deputy Mayor Robert S. Weinroth.
The ribbon cutting was met with great applause from the full house of attendees, who then toured the 9,270 sq. ft. building, which is situated on 1.79 acres east of the runway in the Research Park at FAU.
Following the tour, Airport Executive Director Clara Bennett led the speaking portion of the evening, thanking the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce and the Airport Authority board and staff for their support.
Airport Authority Chair Gene Folden delivered the first speech, in which he highlighted the importance of the new administration building.
“Combining airport administration, operations and maintenance functions into one location allows the Authority to better serve the needs of the aviation and local community, while saving costs,” said Folden. “This building is one of a number of key infrastructure improvements that the Airport Authority has embarked upon to enhance safety and service for the Airport’s tenants and users.”
Folden thanked the Florida Department of Transportation for their funding, as well as Research Park Executive Director Andrew Duffell and the Park for their involvement.
Folden was followed by Airport Authority Vice-Chair Frank Feiler, who spoke on the continuing growth of the Airport.
“I have seen the Airport grow to meet the needs of not only the aviation community, but the Boca Raton community as well,” said Feiler.
He then noted the ecological benefits of the new building, which has been constructed to achieve a LEED Silver Certification. Feiler emphasized the building’s sustainable site development, water efficiency and energy use reduction, before thanking the architects, builders and engineers: SchenkelSchultz Architecture, MBR Construction and Ricondo & Associates as general consultants.
Feiler closed his speech by dedicating the building to the memory of Ken Day, the former Executive Director, who passed away unexpectedly in 2013. There is a plaque in his honor in the lobby of the building.
David Knies, Chairman of Vital Flight, concluded the evening with a video showcasing the nonprofit organization’s work. Vital Flight provides air travel to those in need of transportation to hospitals and other care facilities. The Airport has partnered with Vital Flight for numerous events, such as A Special Day for Special Kids, which is held annually at the Airport.
Eighty percent of the funds for the administration building were obtained through a FDOT aviation capital improvement grant, with the remaining 20% of the funding provided by Boca Raton Airport Authority revenue generated through land leases and fuel flow fees.
The FDOT grant is comprised entirely of revenue from a gas tax levied on airport users throughout the state; meaning none of the money for the building came from local, county, or state property or sales tax dollars.
Through the efforts of many individuals and organizations, the building stands as a testament to an enduring community partnership.
For more information, contact Audra Vaz, Business and Public Affairs Manager, at (561) 391-2202, ext. 205.
About the Boca Raton Airport and the Airport Authority: The Boca Raton Airport is a general aviation transport facility, publicly owned by the State of Florida. The Airport serves the corporate, recreational and flight training needs of the community, averaging over 50,000 operations annually. The Airport is governed by the Boca Raton Airport Authority; a seven-member board.
