Richmond Municipal Airport Passenger Terminal
Richmond Municipal Airport is replacing its 1948 terminal building with a new ADA-compliant facility designed to accommodate current and future users. The Richmond Board of Aviation Commissioners completed preliminary planning in 2023, establishing the vision for a modern terminal that balances functional requirements with federal funding compliance. The project is funded through FAA grants, state matching funds from Indiana, local contributions, and private investment.
HEAPY is providing comprehensive mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and technology engineering design for the new terminal building. Our team is developing MEP&T systems that meet aviation facility standards while addressing the unique constraints of the site, including lack of natural gas service and reliance on an existing on-site well for domestic water.
Building Systems Design
The mechanical design centers on efficient climate control for the compact terminal footprint with roof heights ranging from 12 to 20 feet. HEAPY is designing HVAC systems that maintain passenger comfort while meeting energy code requirements under ASHRAE Standard 90.1 and Indiana Building Code provisions. The terminal will not require fire suppression sprinklers based on occupancy and design parameters, streamlining mechanical infrastructure.
Electrical design encompasses site lighting revisions for the parking lot, power distribution throughout the terminal, and coordination with the existing on-site well system. Our Engineers are reviewing the existing well and well pump to verify capacity for the new terminal building, designing domestic water piping stubbed five feet outside the building for civil engineering connections. Emergency power will be provided by an exterior diesel-fueled generator rather than relying on utility backup, ensuring operational continuity during outages.
Technology & Aviation Integration
Technology services design provides rough-in conduit and device box locations coordinated with the owner’s equipment vendors. All technology equipment, devices, and cabling will be owner-furnished, with HEAPY coordinating rough-in requirements during the design process to ensure proper infrastructure placement. Fire and life safety device design includes smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, alarms, and fire extinguishers positioned throughout the facility.
HEAPY will complete construction documents in April 2026, delivering the technical foundation Richmond Municipal Airport needs to build a terminal serving the community’s aviation requirements for generations.
