Facility Expected To Be Operational By The End Of 2017

A groundbreaking ceremony was held this week at Orlando Melbourne International Airport (KMLB) for a new, 115-foot-tall control tower that is expected to be operational later this year.

The tower, which will cost some $5.3 million, will replace the tower that has served the airport for more than 50 years, according to a report appearing in Florida Today. The new tower has been a priority for airport Executive Director Greg Donovan since he was hired in 2014.

Since such facilities at airports the size of KMLB are not high on the FAA's priority list, Donovan developed a funding strategy to get the project moving. That included the airport paying half the cost of the tower, and a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation covering the other half.

The current tower stands only 79 feet tall, and has no elevator or handicap access.

Donovan said that the new tower will be able to accommodate the "most advanced technology for not only air traffic control, but also safety and security of the whole airport environment."

(Artist's rendering of new tower provided)

FMI: www.mlbair.com