Burbank seeks to replace Bob Hope Airport terminal

BURBANK, Calif. (KABC) -- A major renovation could soon be underway at the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank.

The city of Burbank is set to vote on an agreement Tuesday to tear down the 85-year-old terminal and build a new 355,000-square-foot replacement facility.

"Modern amenities, you can charge your phone, you'll have nice lounges to sit, and so it's pretty much the same airport," said Frank Quintero, president of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority.

"One of the nice things about Burbank, though, is that it is small and accessible and less crowded than LAX and less crazy," an unidentified passenger said. "So if they can keep the small airport feel but make it nicer, I think that would be great."

The terminal would still have 14 gates. Quintero says the new facility's location to the left of the tower will be safer.

"The runway that you see behind me and the other runway is much closer to the terminal than the FAA would like to see," Quintero said. "Now, it's obviously a safe terminal -- we're not saying it isn't -- but a new terminal would be way safer."

The terminal would cost $400 million and would be paid for by airport users and the sale of a property adjacent to the site.

This agreement gives the city of Burbank more governance over the airport and includes discussion on a mandatory airport curfew.

"Burbank obviously wants to protect its residents, and we're in total agreement," Quintero said. "We want to do the same. We want to be good neighbors."

If the city council approves this agreement, Burbank residents could vote on the measure in November 2016.

The current terminal would continue operating until the new one is completed possibly by 2025.