b'58 DAN GENERAL AVIATION Danville Regional Renovates Terminal and Ramp BY MIKE SCHWANZA new Caesars casino and hotel scheduled to open laterOnce the new ramp project is done, we will have a new this year near Danville Regional (DAN) has created a goodsurface, and should be able to accommodate an additional 20 jet news/bad news situation for the southern Virginia airport.aircraft, Adelman says.The good news is that it will undoubtedly attract more traffic toThis is important because parking capacity is an issue when the general aviation facility, boosting both DANs bottom line andVirginia International Raceway, just a few miles down the road, the overall regional economy. The bad news is that $8 million ofhas big events. Currently, DAN only has room for 30 jets, so it renovations were needed to accommodate the expected traffic surge.occasionally has had to close the crosswind runway and use it The main terminal was built in 1961 andfor parking. Having an extra 20 parking spots will help ease that required significant improvements, explainspressure, notes Adelman. Airport Director Marc Adelman. We renovatedThe airports parking capacity will really be tested after the new nearly everything inside our 14,388-square- Caesars Virginia Casino Resort opens. The $600 million facility foot terminal, he comments. will include a large gaming area, 320-room hotel and a 2,500-seat Significant airside work also was needed,entertainment venue, among other features. The casino is being including a new canopy and entrance. Thebuilt on the site of a former textile plant that closed in 2006.south ramp had deteriorated and had to beMARC ADELMAN Since the resort is located just a few miles west of the airport, completely reconstructed. Phase One of theAdelman anticipates a significant spike in airport operations, ramp project was completed in 2023. It involved reconstructingespecially in 2025. We estimate that our annual operations will and paving the taxiway connections to the south ramp, andincrease by 11% or so, he declares.rubblizing the entire south ramp (510 feet by 425 feet), which wasA temporary Caesars casino that opened at the site in May originally constructed more than 20 years ago.2023 foreshadows the potential traffic. By the end of the year, it Phase Two, paving the new ramp, is expected to be finishedhad generated $125.4 million in gaming revenue and around $7.5 this summer. million in city taxes. March | April 2024AirportImprovement.com'