After nearly four years of planning, seeking grants and decision-making, construction for a new terminal at the Dowagiac Municipal Airport is underway.

Airport Manager Oscar Azevedo said the ground for the project officially broke four weeks ago. Current progress on the soon-to-be 1,080 square-foot building includes putting in the framing structures and walls.

As for the old terminal, the manager said it had exceeded its time.

“The existing terminal was built in the 1960s. The life expectancy has expired.” Azevedo said. “We are building a new smaller state-of-the-art one.”

The structure is designed to be a building Azevedo said will represent the city of Dowagiac proudly and be a comfortable place for pilots and passengers.

“It’s something that the local aviation community had long desired,,” Azevedo said. “It will represent the city and welcome our guest aviators.”

The terminal functions as a pit stop for pilots and passengers and serves as a refuge in the event of pilot fatigue, emergency or a weather incident. The new terminal is expected to be fully up and running by Nov. 26.

To paint a picture, Azevedo said the terminal will include the basic amenities, weather and mapping information, restrooms, small kitchenette area and a large central area for rest.

The project will cost roughly $600,000, according to Azevedo. The costs were largely covered by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Transportation, which absorbed 95 percent of the price tag.

The final process for construction started back in April, but hit a bump when the only bid from F&V Construction exceeded the budget and was rejected by the Dowagiac City Council. By June, a new bid for a much more affordable rate from Fiskars Construction Inc. out of St. Joseph for the amount of $595,000 was selected.

In the long term, the new building was designed to be more cost effective for the city of Dowagiac. Azevedo said the building is being built to run more efficiently. In addition, the insulated walls will also keep the building comfortable year round and keep in heat during the winter and cool air in during the summer.