b'OPERATIONSPIT 51Naylor reports that the Airport Authority reached out to regionalSuch initiatives also take time: It can take 12 to18 months to stakeholders for guidance and assistance navigating the legalretrofit an existing space, and 18 to 36 months for a new facility, and legislative aspects. Key sources included U.S. Rep. Chrishe notes.Deluzio, State Rep. Valerie Gaydos, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, the Hillman Family Foundations and the ClaudeWhats NextWorthington Benedum Foundation. We could never have doneCurrently, La Petite Academy at PIT operates from 6:30 a.m. tothis by ourselves, Naylor emphasizes.6:30 p.m., five days a week. But Cassotis hopes to expand that When choosing a facility operator, PIT officials sought twosoon. My goal is to get this to 24/7, she says. Were looking for the qualifications in particular: a proven track record and the abilitythird shift to take advantage of this. After all, were a 24/7 facility.to accept state subsidies for applicants. The latter was especiallyThere also is notable progress on two other key programs important to accommodate part-time workers of airport tenantsto help attract and retain PIT employees. The Airport Authority such as fast-food vendors and wheelchair runners.recently convinced the regional transit authority to add bus routes Learning Care Group fit the bill on both fronts. Including the center near LAX and the on-site location for Dicks Sporting Goods at PIT, La Petite Academy operates about 450 childcare centers in the United States. The companys overall portfolio includes 1,070 facilities under 11 brand names nationwide.As Cassotis recalls, There was definitelyInspire.some work involved in finding the rightWith innovative ideas andoperator. It had to be someone we felt wea collaborative approach.could work with. This is for the children of our staff and our partners. Airport officials approached Learning CareCreate. Group in 2018, and talks accelerated in 2021.Solutions for our clients Sondreal describes the Airport Authoritytoughest engineering as highly involved and oriented towardchallenges.partnership. Together, the organizations hammered out an operating contract and a 5,315-square-foot space within the airport.Deliver.The new onsite center opened inOn our promise to helpSeptember to the delight of many PIT parents.our clients succeed.Although the Learning Care Group declined to disclose initial enrollment figures, Sondreal says that demand for care is strong. InBurns is a nationally the case of new schools, enrollment builds steadily over the first six months as familiesrespected provider of gently exit their existing care arrangements,specialized engineering he elaborates.Michael Robinson services, bringing highly-Given the promising start at PIT, SondrealPartnering with airport leaderstechnical, sought-after has a word of advice for other airportto reimagine the passengerengineering expertise to executives considering similar projects: Haveexperience, improve efficiency,deliver complex aviation an open mind. There are multiple solutions toand create world-class facilities. infrastructure projects.the problem. He says starting costs for new constructionLearn more can range from $3 million to $7 million,Passenger Facilitiesdepending on a facilitys size and whether land is already owned or needs to be procured. AsOperations Facilitiesa result, he encourages capital-constrainedAirside Infrastructureairports to explore options with locations thatCentral Utilitiesalready exist in their communities. Whateverburns-group.comthe program, Its a big capital commitment, Sondreal advises. AirportImprovement.comNovember | December 2023'