b'60 RSV GENERAL AVIATION interior design. For example, the main The tornado destroyed 19 airplanes as well as rows of hangarsconcourse floor was finished with dyed-and the small office that previously served as a pilot lounge. and-polished concrete that requires very little maintenance, and the colors and patterns evoke clouds in the sky. It Takes a Village For Olson, rebuilding an airporteven a small onein about 19 months was a notably gratifying, rewarding and unique project. It was a feel-good success story for everyone involved it, he reflects. It shows what can happen when everyone works together. We had such wonderful coordination and cooperation with all agencies from goal line to goal line.It was an incredible project to be a part areas that are open 24 hours a day to percentage, probably about 10 pointsof, he continues. The resiliency of the the public. higher than normal. Airport Authority was amazing. They never So when we got into wants versusThe building also includes solar panelsblinked. We matched each others energy needs, we had to maximize eligibility fordesigned to generate enough electricity throughout the project, which is a large federal funding, Olson explains. Weto supply all of the power the building part of why it was successful.were able to make the building 86%will need.May expresses deep gratitude for eligible for federal funds, which is a prettyAffordability, ease of maintenance andsupport from the FAA, Illinois Department high benchmark. Thats a very goodan aviation-themed aesthetic drove theof Transportation and local community. Everyone bent over backward to help us, she says. The Airport Authority board of directors, Crawford County Board and other local agencies also deserve a lot of credit, May adds. Ive been on a lot of boards and this is one of the best and hardest-working ones. We had a lot of debates, but it was always healthy debate.And Hanson did just a super job, she remarks. They worked diligently to pull everything together and get everything done in time to submit the grant.Nonetheless, while May is thrilled with the improved airport facilities, she still has mixed emotions when remembering what transpired that grim day in March 2023. We do have a wonderful new airport, but I think its up for debate whether it was worth what everyone had to go through, she says. People suffered tremendous losses.We all love the new airport, May The Global Standard in continues. But it all took a tremendous personal toll on a lot of peoplethere was FOD Collection a lot of heartbreak. But at least in the end, www.fodboss.com something good came out of it.January | February 2026AirportImprovement.com'