The University will receive $5 million from the state’s 2017 fiscal year budget toward construction of a new Aviation Education Facility, according to a University release.
The 23,000-square-foot facility will replace a structure built in 1950 that has limited space as well as maintenance issues, the release states. University officials soon will begin the design process and will present a proposal to the Board of Trustees later this year.
Construction could begin in early 2017.
“This facility will benefit our aviation students immensely and will help us supply the aviation industry with highly qualified pilots and other professionals,” Auburn University President Jay Gogue said. “We are grateful to Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard and Governor Bentley for their support.”
In 2014, the Board of Trustees approved the selection of Walcott Adams Verneuille Inc. of Fairhope, Alabama as the building’s architect.
The new facility, operated by the Auburn University Aviation Center, will be located on the southwest side of the Auburn University Regional Airport. The site work for the Aviation Education Facility was completed as part of a previous project to develop aircraft hangar lots, the release states.
“The funding provides the catalyst for us to move forward with the construction,” Aviation Center Director Bill Hutto said. “This modern, state-of-the-art facility will enhance aviation education at Auburn as we prepare students for the workforce and further support our accreditation with the Aviation Accreditation Board International. “We are very grateful to Speaker Mike Hubbard, who has worked tirelessly to help us secure these dollars for our program.”
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