File photo The Chautauqua County Legislature has approved the terminal at the Jamestown airport be renovated at a cost of $1,265,000. The federal government is funding the majority of the cost.

Even though there are no commercial airlines flying in or out of Chautauqua County, the Jamestown airport’s terminal is going to be getting a major makeover.

During the county legislature meeting, officials approved a resolution to renovate the terminal at a cost of $1,265,000. The federal government will pick up 95% of the tab, leaving the state and the county to fund the remaining 5%, which will total $31,625 each.

Commercial air service ended in Jamestown in 2018 after the federal government ended the Essential Air Service designation due to low ridership.

Chautauqua County has been working with a consultant to restore essential air service locally. At this point, county officials are waiting for a response from the federal government if it wants to subsidize commercial air service once again.

They have not been given a timeline as to when the federal government will respond to their application.

The resolution was not discussed during the full legislature meeting, but during committee meetings, there was talk if this renovation should be done now or wait until they know if commercial air service will return.

John Machemer, who serves as the Deputy Director of Public Facilities – Airports, said the last time the terminal was renovated was in the early 1990s. “The space is certainly in need of updates. It’s in need of updates for ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance reconfiguration. The windows, the exterior windows, entryway systems, updates in need of that for energy efficiency,” he said.

Machemer said the project’s design has been completed.

He said if the county decides to wait until they hear from the federal government regarding their essential air service application, he doesn’t know when the work will get done. “It could be months, years out from making those improvements and having an air service operating in its current condition certainly would not be ideal,” he said.

This year the state is paying for 2.5% of the renovations. Officials said if the state doesn’t include a matching portion next year, then the county’s portion could go up from 2.5% to 5% of the total cost.

Legislator Dalton Anthony, R-Frewsburg, noted once the renovation is completed the county will save on both electricity and heat.

He also said that he believes that it’s important that the county makes the improvements for corporations that use the airport. “When you walk into the county airport and you’re a big-wig at Cummins, it’s not the most presentable place right now,” Anthony said.

The resolution was approved by a 17-1 vote, with Legislator Bob Scudder, R-Fredonia voting no and one member absent.