Meridian Construction Inc., of Spokane Valley, has started work on a $1.1 million hangar remodel at the Spokane International Airport to accommodate some Horizon Air operations.

The airline plans to use the upgraded 32,000-square-foot hangar space for overnight maintenance on its aircraft, says Todd Woodard, airport spokesman. Horizon will lease roughly 19,000 square feet of that facility and an additional 5,600 square feet of parking space.

Renovation of the building is expected to be completed by mid-October, he says.

The project will occur in two parts; the initial demolition and upgrading of the interior hangar space is being completed by the airport and Meridian, Woodard says, while other aesthetic features, such as break-room improvements, are being handled by Horizon Air.

The project, which is being funded through the airport's general revenues and an additional $40,000 grant from the state's economic strategic reserve, calls for upgrades to be made to lighting, mechanical systems, and utilities.

Woodard says the project also will involve installing a new fire suppression system on the southeast corner of the building. The hangar is located on the southeast side of the airport in the general aviation area, says Judy Gifford, director of properties and contracts at the airport. Woodard says the building has been around since before 1940.

Tony Bishop, senior project manager with Meridian Construction, says the entire building will receive upgrades, but there will be minimal work on the west side of the building and on the east side of the second story.

Woodard says no additional space will be added to the structure.

The bid by Meridian Construction came in under the engineer's estimate of about $1.6 million.

Woodard says the building currently is used as storage space for fueled aircraft, but originally the space was used as a maintenance facility.

Woodard says the hangar remodel isn't tied to the recent news of Horizon Air reopening a flight attendant and pilot base at the airport.

The airline opened the base Aug. 19 and the airport now is home to 98 additional Horizon employees.