FAA tower article corrected

An article in the Feb.

23 edition of Northern Nevada Business Weekly about delays in construction of a new tower at Reno-Tahoe International Airport was incorrect in several key points.

Here is the correct information:

* The tower will be built by the Federal Aviation Administration not, as we reported, by the airport authority.

The airport authority will work closely with the FAA to ensure the project fits into the operation of the airport.

Also, we incorrectly reported that state funds will be used for the project.

The project is entirely funded by the FAA's facilities and equipment division.

* While we were correct in reporting that construction of the tower will take six to eight months, an additional six to 12 months will be required for installation and testing of equipment.

* The existing tower is not a limiting factor in the amount of traffic that can be handled at the airport.While the existing tower doesn't meet seismic standards, it meets FAA standards for airfield visibility.

* The base of the tower, a 14,000- square-foot building, will not be underground.

It will be built at grade.

The foundation to support the tower will be 20 to 30 feet below the surface.

We apologize for the errors, and we appreciate the cooperation of Dean Schultz, the airport's manager of planning and environmental services, in setting the record straight.