Building crews have started work on a $2.1 million facility at Spokane International Airport that will serve as the new home for parking operations staff members.

Graham Construction & Management Inc., of Spokane, began work on the 3,800-square-foot building on May 4, says Todd Woodard, airport spokesman. 

ALSC Architects PS, also of Spokane, is providing design services for the project.

Woodard says the new building could benefit airport customers. 

“It’s going to be located on the west side of the parking plaza, so it will be much more visible and closer to the customer compared to its current location on the north end of the parking garage,” Woodard says.

Frequent business travelers who pay for monthly parking at the airport may experience the greatest benefit as they sometimes require the assistance of parking operations staff members, he says. 

The current project is the second of three phases of improvements. The first phase included the construction of a car wash and improvements to an exit canopy.

The parking operations building is scheduled to be finished in early November. 

The third phase will start and end in 2016 and will involve construction of a building that will house vehicles used for snow removal and other airport maintenance needs, Woodard says.

He said airport authorities have been pleased with the facilities-upgrade work performed so far.

“The airport is the initial handshake and last embrace,” Woodard says. “It’s important to not have the airport be your event of the day.” 

Woodard says about 3 million travelers per year fly in and out of Spokane airport.