Smith Reynolds Airport is where presidents, professionals, and pilots-in-training land in Winston-Salem. Local and state representatives are celebrating the completion of one project and the start of another at the facility in the Northeast ward.

The key details

A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday marked the opening of two new corporate hangars. It also served as the kickoff for a renovation on the terminal building. That project aims to improve the visitor experience while honoring the airport's rich history.

"We're going to keep making this the crown jewel of our city," NC Representative Jeff Zenger said.

The hangars will support corporate travel by allowing businesses to lease space to house their private jets. The newly-constructed buildings are each 20,000 sqft — large enough to accommodate multiple aircraft. Officials announced one hangar is already leased; space is still available in the second one.

Soaring Ahead

Work at Smith Reynolds Airport will continue in a few weeks when renovations begin on the airport terminal. The building was constructed in 1941 and the last major update was done in the 1980s. Design elements that made the terminal unique — like a full view of the runway from the waiting room — have been changed over the years.

Terminal renovations are expected to be complete by next summer. | Photo provided by Forsyth County Government.

The $11 million dollar project will restore some of those original features and add new amenities for today's travelers. When it's complete, the public will be able to visit the airport to watch planes land and take off. They will also see a 1931 Savoia Marchetti S-56 aircraft hanging in the main lobby.

Leaders say the project's significance is beyond making needed improvements. They hope the terminal will be a place where young people can watch aircraft and consider a future career in flight.

"The best is yet to come," NC Senator Joyce Krawiec said.