Burlington Trailways moving airport office

The Cedar Rapids Airport Commission on Monday approved a lease through April 30, 2014, with the regional bus line for about 50 percent of a building at 2818 Lippisch Place SW, just north of Rockwell Collins flight operations.

The move, set for May 13, is necessary because Allegiant Airlines will be relocating into the space in connection with construction of a new in-line baggage handling system.

Burlington Trailways received a grant from the Iowa Department of Transportation to pay for 80 percent of the $47,560 cost of remodeling the Lippisch Place building for its use.

The bus line will pay for the remaining 20 percent of the project.

Burlington Trailways anticipates requesting more funding from the state in the next fiscal year to construct additional capital improvements to the building to park its charter coaches indoors overnight.

If successful in obtaining the state grant, Burlington Trailways would occupy the entire building.

Burlington Trailways began leasing space in the passenger terminal after the June 2008 flood displaced the bus line from the Ground Transportation Center in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Many of the regional bus line's customers use city buses to travel to and from the airport.

Burlington Trailways will pay rent of $350 for its new office as well as all utilities.

The airport is not required to reimburse the bus line for any improvements to the building.