Jim Hamilton surveys the runway from the deck of his office in the new terminal at Columbia–Owens Downtown Airport.

“I’m so proud of this project,” said Jim Hamilton, manager of the Columbia–Owens Downtown Airport. “It really is a dream come true.” Over five years of hard work and fundraising have culminated in the completion of a state–of–the–art terminal. It took three years for Hamilton to secure a $4.5 million Richland County bond, as well as other funds from the FAA and SC Aeronautics Commission.

The new terminal is a vast improvement over the crumbling and cramped old one.

The furnishings in the new lobby were sponsored by USC. Modern architecture, bright colors, and plenty of light give a warm and professional feel. The new facilities will feature a fully furnished lobby, several conference rooms, a technology room, a rest room, and full service lounge for pilots.

Hamilton’s office is at the top of the center staircase. From this vantage point, he can see each end of the runway through the floor to ceiling windows. Now he can keep a watchful eye on the traffic that rolls down Owens Field’s runways.

Lloyd W. “Fig” Newton’s holographic plaque in the SC Aviation Hall of Fame. This is the recent picture from a head-on view. Nearly every room in the terminal has been sponsored by an organization. Each sponsor provided the funds to furnish their room. A special plaque will be hung in each area to honor those who have donated. “We are very pleased with the support we’ve gotten from the business community,” said John C.B. Smith, chairman of the Richland County Airport Commission. Contributors include Clemson University, USC, and Pulliam Ford.

Hamilton, together with Smith, lobbied and succeeded in making the terminal the permanent home of the SC Aviation Hall of Fame, which began in 1991. The entryway to the terminal is lined on either side with 52 pictures of the hall of fame inductees. Not every one in the hall of fame is a pilot. “Each one of these people has been nominated based on what they have done for SC aviation over the years,” Hamilton said. Each plaque features a specially de-signed holographic image by Scott Huffer of Hartsville, SC. The image includes a blending of an old and new image of the inductee. From one angle the old image is visible and from head–on the most up to date image shows through. Each holograph is accompanied by a listing of each person’s accomplishments and contributions to SC aviation.

Newton’s picture viewed from the side One third of the hall of fame members have specific ties to Owens Field. The group consists of four astronauts, four flag rank officers, and many prominent business people and government officials.

Chairman of the Richland County Airport Commission John C.B. Smith in the SC Aviation Hall of Fame. The dedication and ribbon cutting for the new terminal was Thursday, September 22. Many contributors and hall of fame members were on hand for the celebration.

Smith and Hamilton believe Columbia’s downtown airport is now on par with facilities in Charlotte and Greenville. “Owens Field is the gateway to Columbia for the business community,” Hamilton said. “We want to make a good impression for those people who come to do business here.”

Photos by Natasha Whitling